Creating an office to suit the needs of today’s worker

Technology has changed the way we work. Up until a few short years ago, people were tied to their desks, relying on PCs and landline phones to complete their tasks and communicate with the outside world. Now, people are much freer in terms of where they do their work, and this has had a huge impact on the way in which offices are designed. Also, employees’ expectations have evolved. Individuals are no longer prepared to put up with dull, dreary working areas. Instead, they want dynamic, appealing offices.

Given the huge developments that have taken place in the world of workplace design over recent years, you might feel unsure about how to create the perfect base for your business. However, help is at hand. This brief guide talks you through the basics of modern office design.

Focus on flexibility

Instead of populating most, if not all, of your working environment with conventional workstations comprising standard desks and chairs, it’s worth considering incorporating different zones within your office. For example, a rising number of organisations are adding designated breakout areas to their workspaces where employees can go to have informal meetings and discussions with their colleagues.

We offer a selection of products that can be ideal in these zones, including our Harmonica breakout seating and Cubist modular seating. If you’re worried about noise carrying across to the rest of your office, you can use floor screens to cordon it off. For added volume control, we offer versions with 40mm foam cushioning.

Introduce fun elements

Many people are spending longer than ever at work. To help break up the monotony of the daily grind, many companies are introducing fun elements to their offices to boost staff morale. Tech firms like Google are leading the charge. The web giant has included a range of innovative features in its workspaces around the globe, including games rooms and even slides.

OK, so slides might be taking things a step too far in your office, but a small games area could be a savvy investment. There is some sound logic behind the addition of these recreational spaces. After all, when personnel have the opportunity to really unwind and relax during their breaks, they tend to be more productive once they get back to their desks. Games areas can also help colleagues to bond, and they can help companies to recruit and retain the best personnel.

Never compromise on quality

The days when firms could get away with providing their staff members with shoddy workstations have gone. Now, people expect their employers to protect their wellbeing, and good quality chairs and desks play an important role in this. Substandard furnishings can be uncomfortable to use, and over time, they can even cause injury. According to figures provided by the Health and Safety Executive, there were a total of over 500,000 reported cases of musculoskeletal disorders in the UK in 2013-14, and many of these may have be caused or compounded by poor quality furniture.

With this in mind, it’s well worth investing in quality products like the chairs and desks included in our impressive range.

As long as you get these office design basics right, you should be able to create the perfect environment for your workers.