If you own your own business, you’re probably always looking for ways to increase employee productivity in order to increase revenue. In the highly competitive business world, business owners often find themselves asking, “how is my office space impacting employee productivity, and what can I do about it?”
It’s no secret that you lose money when your employees aren’t productive. Many employers believe that employee productivity is the sole responsibility of the employee. While there are many things that an employee can do to help increase their productivity in the workplace – such as getting more sleep, eating breakfast, etc. – there are things you can do to help as well.
In the workplace, the way your office is set up plays an important part in how productive your employees are. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution that will work for all businesses, but understanding your employees and the way they work can help you create an office layout and environment that will foster productivity.
What factors affect employee performance?
There are many different factors that can impact an employee’s performance and productivity in the workplace. Some of those factors include workplace clutter, lighting, temperature, and noise. But what is it specifically that makes your employees more or less productive?
The American Society of Interior Designers found that physical workplace design is one of the top three factors that affects an employee’s performance and job satisfaction. Additionally, a study by the Journal of Public Affairs, Administration and Management discovered that:
- lighting is the primary factor that affects an employee’s productivity
- temperature has a greater effect on female employees than on male employees
- male employees are highly affected by office furniture
- both natural and artificial light are necessary to maximize employee productivity
- spatial arrangement of office furniture is important to productivity
How to increase employee productivity and performance in your office
Studies have shown that noise, light, temperature and furniture layout are important factors that influence employee productivity. As an employer, you may be wondering, “how can I use that information to help increase productivity in my office?”
Dim lighting lowers productivity, and fluorescent lighting has been known to cause headaches. Try incorporating both natural and artificial light. Employees find that being near windows helps them feel more focused and relaxed. Keeping your office bright helps to create a more cheerful mood and helps facilitate productivity. Additionally, if your office is too hot or too cold, your employees will find themselves distracted. There isn’t a perfect temperature for everyone, but try to find a temperature that most of your team is comfortable with.
Noise is one of the biggest distractions in the workplace, and it can also be one of the biggest reasons why your employees aren’t productive. Some people work better when there’s background noise while other employees work better when it’s completely silent. If you have an open office layout, try creating a space in your office where employees can go when they need a quiet place to work. Also, make sure your office furniture is comfortable, especially if you have employees that sit for long periods of time. Few things are worse than a chair that becomes uncomfortable or painful after a few hours. Try spacing out your furniture so it’s not too close together so the office doesn’t look cluttered or unorganized. Doing this can help to make your employees feel more relaxed and less stressed, thus helping them to be more productive.
By creating an inviting atmosphere, your employees will feel more engaged, which ultimately leads to increased productivity. Some of the changes are easier to make than others, but making an effort not only makes your employees happier, but it can also help to increase your bottom line.
