What Are Your Workers Really Saying About Your Office?

It can be tricky to know what your employees are saying about their work environment. Even if no one is speaking up, you shouldn’t assume that everything is fine. To help you figure out what your workers truly think, keep reading.   It’s messy and unorganised A messy and unorganised office is a huge no-no for many members of staff. A workspace that’s chaotic and unkempt can cause workers to feel unsettled, leaving them unhappy and dissatisfied - which can mean their productivity levels begin to dip too. From stacks of paperwork on the floor to untidy desk surfaces, being lax with your housekeeping in the office could be doing more harm than good. So, to avoid upsetting your staff, it pays to get organised. With so many different storage solutions available, there’s no reason why your office can’t be neat, tidy and clutter-free. You can take your pick from a plethora of furnishings, including filing cabinets, cupboards, under-desk pedestals, bookcases and lockers to ensure your space is up to the standards expected by your personnel. There’s too much noise and distraction Another gripe for a lot of office workers is noise. Too much of it can be extremely distracting and annoying for your employees, and it can be especially problematic in open plan offices. From the hubbub of chitter chatter among colleagues, to clunky-sounding printers, fax machines and photocopiers, to the constant tapping of fingers on keyboards, there are many reasons why the workplace can become  an irritating environment for some of your employees. The good news is, there are a few simple things you can do to get the sound levels in your office under control. For instance, you could give your workers permission to use headphones to help block out surrounding noises while they work. Additionally, you could set up office partitions and screens, giving your staff a chance to separate themselves from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the office while they work on projects that require their concentration. No one wants a completely silent office, but by trying out a few tricks like this, you should find it much easier to find a middle ground when it comes to noise. The temperature’s not right An office that’s too hot or too cold can be a massive bugbear among employees. Some workers may find their environment to be on the chilly side, while others might feel it’s unbearably warm. Perfecting the temperature within your office space can be an ongoing struggle, and it can sometimes feel impossible to please absolutely everyone. However, by listening to what your employees have to say about the matter, you stand a good chance of solving the problem once and for all. For example, for those who dislike the chill of the air conditioning, why not position their workstations away from the overhead units? For  employees who find the warmth uncomfortable to work in, you could sit them near a window to give them the opportunity of enjoying the extra breeze. There are numerous studies that claim to have sussed out the ‘ideal’ office temperature - but the truth is, it’s completely up to you. By approaching the subject with your personnel, you should hopefully be able to come to a mutual agreement over climate control in your office.