Your immediate workplace environment and surrounding have a great impact on the state of your mind. The work environment vibe depends on different factors.
It may include the company values, workstation design, and styles of leadership. Only when all these factors come to play will you be able to establish a healthy and positive workplace.
Positive work environments make employees remain loyal to businesses. They also have a direct implication on mood, performance, and productivity at work.
However, a happy working environment is basically not something that happens by accident. It is rather a product of intangible and physical changes. These are factors to consider to achieve such a working environment:
- Encourage a Work-Life Balance
Presentism results in lower motivation, resentment, and decreased productivity. So do everything possible to discourage this type of culture.
Likewise, when employees work from home, are able to deal with family problems, and take some time off for medicals or other appointments, they will be happier, leading to better staff retention and higher productivity.
- Handle Background Noise
Some individuals prefer working with the hustles and bustles of public and busy places. Working alone in a very quiet place might seem boring to some people. It’s important to monitor the activity level around you so as to determine whether to keep your focus on the task at hand or not.
While it’s vital to be focused, looking for a working environment that enables you to work for long hours is equally important.
- Create a Strong Line of Communication
In some ways, modern technology makes it simple to communicate at lightning speed. More than 250 billion emails are sent every day globally, and many workforces depend on online communication tools, such as Zoom, WhatsApp and Slack.
However, having a lot of options might not be a good thing. It’s easy to miss messages as most workers only open around 23% of the total emails.
Poor communication may negatively affect all aspects of business, including your bottom line, team’s capability to meet deadlines, customer services, productivity and employee retention.
It can be wise to consider how you and your workers communicate. For instance, you may host monthly catch-ups to discuss the progress of your business and how it aligns with workers’ roles.
- Consider Sustainability
Making the working environment more sustainable needs a little effort and initial investment from the start. Renewable energy remains the best way to make your working environment sustainable. It can improve your business image, reduce carbon print and save unnecessary costs.
In addition, Norwegian power supplier ELEVO Norway, has shared advice on digital routines and activities, which you can introduce in your business. Some of these suggestions include:
- Creating a social group
- Virtual coffee breaks
- Friday games
- Facilitate Learning Opportunities
When setting up a team for success, it can be tempting to concentrate on matters, making them productive for a short time. Experimentation and workplace learning are equally vital. Performance increases, and employees thrive when a business becomes a learning organization that prioritizes professional and personal growth.
Offering opportunities for knowledge sharing and informal learning is also important, particularly to new hires. Your company may even save some expenses by ensuring workers have access to the skills and information required to work.
- Advocate for Teamwork
Most workers tend to be more productive when they work as a team. Rather than being stressed with project completion deadlines, they will get motivated and put their minds together to solve problems.
This also allows workers to foster and communicate ideas with their colleagues instead of getting trapped in cubicles by themselves.
As a project manager or employer, always make sure you congratulate your team after completing a project and celebrate, even when it’s just small wins.
- Make it Feel Like Home
Modern techniques to workplace design are a vital part of worker satisfaction. Physically comfortable working environments where individuals feel at ease can help to establish a positive working experience and improvement in mood.
When it comes to an office, ensure pieces of furniture are ergonomic and comfortable. Remember also to add plants and flowers to boost productivity and mood.
In a non-office environment, be sure to provide breakouts where staff members may grab a cup of tea and interact with their colleagues.
The Effects of The Work Environment
The work environment affects the drive, performance, mood and mental health of employees. If your workers work in dreary office settings with unfriendly colleagues, they will not guarantee job satisfaction and confidence they need.
Establishing a healthy and comfortable environment doesn’t have to be costly and difficult. With a couple of effective measures, you can build healthy workplace environments that also helps reduce costs associated with absenteeism, medical claims, workers’ compensation and turnover.
