Business owners are constantly looking for ways to increase employee productivity in order to increase revenue. In fact, most of them would agree that it is the sole responsibility of the employee to be productive.
Owners might assume their staff can get more sleep, eat a good breakfast, and drink a strong cup of coffee to keep them sharp at work. In fact, having an office water delivery service makes it easy to keep employees hydrated for best possible job performance.
Although these factors contribute to a more productive work day, their work environment plays a substantial role. The office layout informs how employee productivity. Here’s how.
Noise
Have you ever sat in your office chair and just listened to the constant noise around you? Keyboard clicks, office gossip, and constant incoming phone calls might be the culprit of the lack of productivity.
Although they were once the “hot trend”, open offices aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Studies show that an open layout doesn’t deliver productivity as it used to because it’s harder for employees to focus more on the task at hand.
Employees are having to find other ways to seek peace and quiet, like taking walks outside or using their headphones to block out noise. These findings suggest that noise distractions have a negative impact on employee wellness, which can lead to a decrease in productivity and financial loss to the employers.
Air Quality
Did you know that employee performance can increase by 20% if the air quality in the office improves? The air pollution problem occurs when a limited amount of fresh air is circulated throughout the office. When air circulates too quickly, toxic substances arise. Poor air quality can lead to employee health problems like headaches, sinus issues, upper respiratory congestion, and eye irritation.
Temperature
Employees spend 90,000 hours of their lives at work during their lifetime. One of the many factors that contribute to workplace dissatisfaction is temperature control in the office. Getting the temperatures right is imperative for employee productivity. If the temperature is too high or too low, workers can easily be distracted by their discomfort.
Furniture Comfort and Layout
Make sure that the office equipment is comfortable, especially if employees sit for long periods of time at their desks. If not, employees will be uncomfortable after a few hours, causing them to focus more on how they’re feeling than their work.
Arrange furniture so no one is too close together, and the office doesn’t feel crowded. Doing this can help employees feel more relaxed and less stressed, leading to more productivity.
Natural and Artificial Light
When asked by employers, 80% of employees stated that having good lighting in their workspace is very important to them. Plus, poor lighting is associated with a range of health effects, both physical and mental, such as headaches, fatigue, stress, and anxiety.
Most employees spend much of their day under artificial lighting, and studies show that not having enough natural sunlight can have an adverse effect on the body. Employees should go outside for a fifteen-minute walk. That little bit of time can trigger endorphins, also known as “happy hormones.” When employees feel good, their work will reflect that.
Water
Not drinking enough water can really affect job performance. Dehydrated employees will lose focus, and have lower energy levels, more stress, and frequent headaches. That’s why it’s important to be sure to drink eight cups of water throughout the day. One of the easiest ways to provide convenient, fresh water to employees is by having a water cooler.
All of these factors can negatively affect your employees’ productivity. It’s imperative that you do your part to ensure employees are performing at their best. Get a head start by contacting Lipsey Water to today to start your free, no obligation, two-week trial!