Part of the reason for running an office is to provide a comfortable space to workers. Otherwise, it isn’t really doing its job. Most entrepreneurs spend the money because they want to make people feel good and enhance productivity. But, of course, the majority of people who run businesses aren’t office experts. They don’t always understand what is going to help people focus. In this article, we run through 8 ways how your office could be letting you and your employees down (inadvertently or not).
By Team Savant
Poor Ergonomics
First, your office might not offer employees the ergonomics they want. They might be sitting on uncomfortable chairs or typing on computers sitting on desks that are the wrong height.
Problematic ergonomics can be dangerous for your business. Staff may not want to come into the office because it makes them so uncomfortable. They may even develop injuries that prevent them from performing their roles in the first place.
Fixing poor ergonomics is as simple as hiring a commercial office fit-out company to resolve your issues for you. If you want to save money, you can go to second-hand office suppliers and ask if they have any ergonomic desks or chairs in stock you can buy.
Bad Lighting
Bad lighting is another way your office could be hurting your employees. Certain types of light are now known to be quite harmful.
For example, harsh lights, like fluorescent strips or LEDs, are a problem. These disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm by making workers feel alert while they are doing their job, even at night.
A much better solution is to use natural light when available. People are used to living in this environment, so it doesn’t take a toll.
Another problem is lighting that’s too dim. Some commercial offices are simply too dark for workers, leading to eyestrain when doing anything away from a backlit screen.
Again, you can fix this issue by providing workers with desk lamps. These help them focus on paperwork before going back to their screens.
Low Air Quality
Low air quality is another issue office employees face. HVAC systems can often circulate dust, allergens and other particles that cause disease.
The best way around this problem is to change the filters on the system regularly. Swapping these out for new ones removes more unwanted particles in the air, keeping workers healthy.
Sometimes, air conditioning units can also dry out the air too much. Many workers wind up feeling hoarse because of this.
That’s why in-duct humidification is becoming more common. These devices essentially spray microscopic vapor particles into the moving airflow, helping it achieve the most comfortable humidity levels.
Most employees prefer humidity levels between 40% and 60%. If air conditioning falls below this, it can lead to dry throats, sore eyes, and cold/flu infections.
Insufficient Break Areas
Another reason your office might not be causing harm to workers is because you aren’t offering sufficient break areas. Employees often need places they can go to get away from their computers and enjoy some down time.
If you’re in this position, it is usually pretty easy to correct. If you don’t have a space yet, convert an existing office. Or simply ask the building manager where your people can go when they want a break from the heavy focus.
Extreme Temperatures
Going back to climate control, extreme temperatures can also be a problem for many offices. If it gets too hot or cold, it can actually make workers unconsciously unwilling to go into the office.
Buildings constructed cheaply during the 1960s and 1970s are the worst offenders for this. During the winter, the heating isn’t strong enough to keep them warm, while in the summer, they get hot and stuffy. Most start smelling bad after a while.
The best way to deal with this is to insulate the building and install a modern HVAC. As before, this can control the humidity and temperature, keeping it constant during working hours.
Lack Of Movement
Lack of movement is also a problem in many offices. Workers often feel chained to their desks because of the need to meet tight deadlines or complete reports.
Therefore, modern offices are introducing movement areas to help get people active. These allow them to take breaks throughout the day for exercise and to get the blood pumping.
Obvious additions include:
Stretching mats
Cross trainers in some cubicles
Standing desks
Programs to encourage breaks
Employees who stay in the same place all day and don’t move create all sorts of problems for themselves. Obesity, muscle stiffness and poor circulation are serious risk factors that you’ll want to avoid as an employer.
Unsanitary Bathrooms And Kitchens
Your office may also be unkind to employees because of unsanitary bathrooms and kitchens. If these facilities aren’t kept clean, it detracts from the working experience and can even lead to serious illness.
Some employees will also experience higher distress if you don’t keep things neat. These underlying feelings are often what drives high turnover.
Therefore, hire a cleaning company that comes in during the early morning to sort everything out. Ensure that they use bleach in the toilet stalls and know how to wipe down mess in the kitchen, including the microwave.
Poor Mental Health Support
Finally, you might run into trouble in your offices if you don’t offer staff the mental health support they need. Many employers ignore problems like stress and burnout, leading to retention risks.
Dealing with poor mental health in the office can be complicated. However, most firms see significant success if they approach the problem from several angles.
For example, you could bring a counselor or chaplain on-site. This person works externally to the company and talks to employees in complete confidence about the issues that they face.
You could also change the environment. For example, you could start a wellness programme to support employee health.
Finally, you could set flexible working hours. Allowing employees to manage their days around their work often proves highly effective because it reduces stress.