Lucy - BQ Magazine EditorWhat do you think the modern workplace should look like? Is it a place that focuses solely on the work being done? Or should it be a person-centric area, made to uplift and support the people who make all the magic happen?
We certainly think it’s the latter – and we’re not the only ones! Workplace design principles have come a long way in the past 10 years. These days we know the power of a comfortable and organised space, and just how much that can boost the productivity and happiness of the workforce.
In return, both rates of absenteeism and employer turnover go down. Hiring and training costs are pretty monumental, so the lower you can get these factors, the better! As such, entrepreneurs need to get on board to ensure they’re creating an environment that’s good enough for the client and employee alike.
And if you’re a new business owner who wants to make sure your workplace is designed to that optimum level, here are some of the most important principles to focus on.
Employees Shouldn’t Mind Sitting for Eight Hours a Day
Now that we know just how awkward and risky a sedentary lifestyle can be, asking people to sit at a desk for eight (or more) hours per day is a difficult task. Entrepreneurs should not do this without considering how this will affect their workforce and what they can do to minimise those effects.
That usually means working with an ergonomic setup that won’t have your employees slouching, craning, and getting cricks in their necks. The right desk chair is a wonder, and sitting in it won’t cause lower back pain, leg aches, or cause an employee to feel like their eyes will strain out of their skull!
Try to work in some standing desks, plus some spaces where they can get away from the computer and still get work done. And if you’re lucky enough to have outside seating accompanying your workplace, why not focus on setting this up as a functional area? That means a lot more fresh air during the work day, and no one will complain about that!
Facilities Should Be Comfortable, Spacious, and Clean
The facilities that come tacked on in your business space should be comfortable to use, able to support more than just one or two people at a time and be clean enough day by day. Yes, we’re talking about the toilets and the break room here!
If these areas aren’t kept clean and tidy, and there’s little to no room for say a quarter of your workforce to use them in tandem, you’re not going to have a very set of employees on your hands.
For example, if your company toilets aren’t stalls, but just a single room that only one person can use at a time, what happens if you have to put up an ‘out of order’ sign? Similarly, if your break room is so small that only one person can use it at a time without having to squeeze in, how are you going to cope with the lunchtime rush?
Think about these things when you’re designing the workplace. Both spaces may need a renovation and/or an expansion, and that’s not something to only think about when it’s already become a problem.
Cables Should Be Out of Sight But Accessible
Cable management in the commercial sector can be sorely lacking. There are many businesses out there that think the cables can just be tucked away, in an out-of-sight, out-of-mind fashion.
But not only does this leave a big mess just behind the curtain. It can also make troubleshooting electrical problems difficult, as well as be a genuine fire hazard.
Because of that, make sure you’re shopping with an electrical supplier who can provide cable management solutions that make mincemeat of issues like these. Keep the cables out of sight, for sure, but make sure they’re still accessible.
And when the time comes for the building to be serviced, and/or you need to figure out which cable goes to which computer, all you need to do is flip open the box or case you’re using and track the wire back.
Your Brand Image Should Be Clear
This is where we tackle the question of the decor. Interior design in the commercial world can be a lot of fun – professional, but fun – and that means branding your office in just the right way.
So, what do you want your workplace to say? And how will you convey that in the colours, elements, and signage you choose? It’s a harder decision than you might think, so don’t rush this one!
Take your time deciding on the best colours and how to complement them, as well as the physical decor you know will reflect the kind of company you are and the team you want to create. If that means a living wall in the middle of the room, or using a darker palette on the walls, it’s totally up to you.
Consider the Outside Environment
Where is your workplace located? Somewhere noisy right on the street, where the traffic never ceases and any chatter comes in through the windows? Or maybe you’re somewhere quieter and hidden away, where even your employees sometimes struggle to find the front door?
Both environments can be a hindrance to productive working. Focus on this when improving your workplace design. How can you make it easier for your employees to get to work? In some cases, it’ll mean reducing the level of noise and interruptions, whilst in the other, it means making it easier for the company to interact with.
Is the Space Inclusive?
If you have disabled employees on the team, is it just as easy to get in and out of work, access the facilities, and get the job done as it is for everyone else? It’s always best to ask for feedback regarding this, and never assume one way or another.
Make sure your disabled employees have a chance to make their needs known and be taken seriously and don’t forget to incorporate this kind of action from day one. And another thing to remember – don’t let the inclusion drop at any point in the design journey.
For example, setting up a ramp outside the building is a great way to ensure anyone in a wheelchair can make it in and out, but if your office isn’t accessible via elevator at all times, they’ll still struggle to get to work.
How Do You Deal with Waste?
Waste products come out of every kind of workplace on the planet – it’s just that some waste in certain industries is more harmful than others.
That being said, even if you’re just operating out of a small-scale office, you’re going to be throwing things away on a daily basis. Most of this waste will be paper and cardboard, but food and electrical waste is likely to be common as well.
How are you ensuring this waste doesn’t build up, is kept to a minimum, and won’t contribute to landfill? Do you have recycling cans in the workplace, which are clearly signposted on what they can and cannot accept? Do you ensure physical waste is kept low by primarily relying on the digital world?
The latter point is a good way to prioritise sustainability within your company, but remember, a cloud server still has a chance to glitch and fail. If you want to keep physical records of certain details and information, keep them brief. Plus, be sure to store them correctly – away from any coffee cups that could tip onto them!
It’s Not Just the Physical Workplace That Matters
The culture and atmosphere count too. The way the workplace feels when you’re in it will very much make up the bulk of your perception of it. Sure, the interior design is a highlight and will help your team to keep the overall business goals in mind, but the atmosphere is what they truly interact with.
That relies on your company culture and whether or not you create it to put people first. If an employee knows the culture isn’t as safe, secure, or friendly as it should be, they probably won’t stay very long.
Create a Well Designed Workplace for Your Team
So you’ve got the office space, you’ve got a team to put in it – now’s the time to make sure both of those factors mesh together! And putting time into the principles above could make your workplace one of the best in the market.
From ensuring you create a diverse and inclusive environment to cutting out the external noise to making sure the place is properly organised and safe to be in, there’s a lot that goes into building a modern workspace that’s best for everyone. All you have to do now is pop these kinds of principles into practice.