Could you create an office to please all your workers?

Whether it’s excessive noise, uncomfortable temperatures or limited space, there’s always something for office workers to complain about. One study conducted by an office solutions firm found that more than 80 per cent of employees thought their workplace prevented them from being able to communicate ideas freely, concentrate easily, work collaboratively without distractions or choose where they work. This dissatisfaction is likely to stem from the fact that each person has varying needs and preferences when it comes to work environments, which can make it challenging to design a space that pleases everyone. However, with some careful planning and innovative design solutions, it’s possible to create a more personalised workplace and restore harmony among your personnel. If you want to find out how to keep all your staff happy, read on. Temperature The ongoing battle of room temperature is one that most office workers will be familiar with. A daily debate in some workplaces, the struggle over the thermostat tends to follow the same pattern - some people are too cold, while others are too hot. While it may seem like a trivial matter, the temperature of an office can have a significant impact on productivity and cost a company many hours of lost time over the course of a year. Research from an air conditioning specialist found that men spend around six minutes a day adjusting to office temperatures, while women spend over eight minutes a day doing the same. But what can be done about it? Finding an office temperature that keeps everyone comfortable can seem like an impossible task. However, many cutting-edge companies are now moving towards personalised temperature control in the office, including workstations that have their own mini climate systems with heating and air vents - much like on an aeroplane seat. You can now even get app-based controls that use sensors, meaning that staff can tailor the temperature of certain areas to suit their preferences, which also helps to save energy. A simpler but perhaps less cost-efficient alternative is to use desk fans or portable heaters. Lighting Lighting is another common office gripe among staff. The way in which an office is illuminated is often overlooked by employers, which can prove to be a costly mistake. Rooms that are too dim or too bright are not only irritating and distracting, but they can also have a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing. Eyestrain, headaches and fatigue can be triggered by poorly lit spaces, which will inevitably result in lower productivity and potentially in increased absenteeism. Just like temperature, each employee will have their own preferences when it comes to lighting, which means it can be difficult to find something that works for everyone. As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid using fluorescent overhead lighting. Instead, make sure that your employees’ workstations are positioned as close to a window as possible, or opt for LED bulbs that replicate natural sunlight. Research has shown that exposure to natural light can lead to happier, healthier and more alert workers. It’s also important to remember that different tasks require different levels of light, and that some people may need brighter or dimmer illumination than others for health reasons. Many workplaces are now doing away with mass overhead lighting altogether and instead using individual desk or floor lamps, or smart lighting sensors that can be personalised for specific areas of the office. Distractions Open plan offices remain the go-to layout for most companies. These shared workspaces can help to foster collaboration and camaraderie, leading to greater creativity and idea-sharing among employees. However, they can also bring about distracting noise levels and have a negative impact on concentration and productivity, especially for introverted workers who prefer privacy and quiet. As the cubicle farm trend of the past demonstrated, a one-size-fits all solution to office design rarely works. To keep everyone happy, it’s important to find a balance. One way to overcome this issue is with flexible workspaces. Having movable walls, sound-absorbing screens and room partitions allows workers to reconfigure the space according to their changing needs. For example, if someone requires a more secluded space to focus on a task, pop-up workspaces or quiet zones can be created away from the hustle and bustle of other workers. It also means that employees have a choice in how and where they work, which can increase job satisfaction and boost engagement. Relaxation and recreation Being stuck in the same spot from nine to five, five days a week is likely to rub anyone up the wrong way after a while. Whether it’s depressing surroundings, a relentless workload or procrastinating colleagues making it difficult to concentrate, it’s easy for the daily grind to get you down. Over time, this feeling of being trapped can lead to frustration and stress, which is bound to have detrimental impact on worker performance. In turn, this can damage a company’s bottom line. Providing breakout spaces, communal areas and separate canteens where employees can relax and escape from their desk for a while can work wonders for morale. Not only does it give people a break from stressful work demands and allow them to enjoy a change of scenery from time to time, it also means that those who are working won’t be distracted by those who aren’t, so it’s a win-win situation. Giving employees the chance to move around and socialise can also help to keep them engaged, happy and healthy. As a result, this will have a positive knock-on effect in terms of how they interact with others and on their approach to work, helping to curb any feelings of resentment or mental burnouts. While it can be tricky to keep everyone pleased at work, there are several simple ways you can achieve a happy medium and prevent workers from feeling disgruntled and unmotivated. Even if the issues cannot be resolved completely, showing that you made the effort to cater to everyone's needs can go a long way towards boosting workplace satisfaction, productivity and morale.