How the Right Office Environment Can Maximise Your Team’s Productivity

There is no doubt that the office has gone through a period of transition in recent years. Once simply a no-frills space to work, employers are increasingly understanding the benefits of getting the office environment right. 

Everything needs to be carefully considered in an office – light, heat, amenities, spacing – as they all impact how staff feel. In turn, this can affect hugely important issues, such as productivity and efficiency.

Here, we take a look at the different features of an office environment, and what you need to do to ensure they are maximised to fully benefit your employees. 

Temperature affects productivity 

Being too cold or too hot in the office can be a major drain on a worker’s ability to function well. Indeed, according to British Gas, there is an ‘ideal temperature’ for the best levels of productivity which falls anywhere between 20 and 25 degrees celsius.

“Whether you work in an office, a retail environment, or industrial premises, maintaining a pleasant air temperature can be essential for staff, as well as for keeping machinery running efficiently,” says David Gomm, Director of BSE Facilities Management. His point illustrates that equipment and machinery also operate optimally in this environment, which in-turn, impacts productivity.

The importance of fresh air

Air quality plays an important role in a team’s ability to work at their best. The quality of the air can affect everything from staff morale to productivity, so it is important to get it right. It’s great for productivity too. A recent survey found that productivity of staff improves with just 30 minutes of fresh air outdoors.

A focus on natural light and plants

If you want to get the most out of staff in an office environment, you need to ensure that they feel positive. Having plenty of natural light and office plants around are two simple and significant ways of achieving this. Indeed, research from Human Spaces revealed that proximity to natural elements such as sunlight and greenery improved feelings of creativity and well-being by 15%. 

Comfort is king

You aren’t going to get much from staff if they are uncomfortable in the office. Considerations such as ergonomics, seating position and regular breaks from the same position are important in keeping everyone comfortable.

Working with staff to ensure that the right workstations and chairs are used, as well as creating breakout areas can be a really important way to help staff feel comfortable in the office environment. 

Quiet for communication 

Internal communication is a big part of the success of a business. Staff need to be able to communicate effectively to collaborate. In noisy office environments this can be difficult. One way to improve communication in a busy office is to designate areas for collaborating and chatting. The use of office-focused instant messaging tools, like Slack or Teams, also improves communication with the added benefit of remaining in contact with those working from home.