5 Office Design Tips That Are Sure To Maximize Employee Production

Business Articles

To meet production needs within your business, employees need to have motivation to come to work every day and care about the job that they're doing. Work should be a place where they enjoy spending their time and aren't constantly looking at the clock to monitor the countdown to the end of a shift. The way your office is designed can have a major impact on employee production – here are five design tips that are sure to keep your employees happy, focused, and productive:

Go for Ergonomics

One of the most important things you can do to reduce costs and encourage production among your employees is to provide ergonomic work stations for everyone. Chairs should have tall back supports, arm rests, and the ability to adjust to different heights. Desk should be flat and allow plenty of room for knees so access to the computer is easy. Computers should have adjustable stands so that employees can rest their elbows naturally while typing and they don't have to strain their eyes to read. Check out a company like D & R Office Works, Inc. to learn more about your options for office furniture.

Allow for Customization

While you probably don't want employees taking naps at their desks or wearing pajamas to work, consider giving them the opportunity to customize their personal workspaces. This will enable them to create a comfortable environment for themselves and help them maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal lives.

To make customization easy, install small floating shelves above each desk to hold photos and other personal items. Shelving will offer some extra depth to the office as well as minimize desk clutter, and therefore promote better organization.

Decorate with Plants

Living plants are an eye catching way to incorporate nature into your indoor office space while at the same time offering stress relieving qualities that your employees will surely appreciate. Many plants will even filter the air and absorb toxins such as formaldehyde so your employees aren't exposed to them. Cleaner air typically means less allergies and illnesses, so plants help ensure that you can count on your employees to reliably show up for work. English ivy, peace lilies, and weeping figs all have exceptional air filtering qualities.

Paint for Performance

The colors you choose to paint the walls in your office building can influence the way your employees perceive their day through emotion, attitude, and productivity levels. So put the white paint away and choose one or more of these effective color options:

• Shades of blue and green create a relaxing atmosphere and help to keep blood pressure low.
• Orange offers an energizing effect and encourages enthusiasm.
• Neutral colors like beige and black help tone down an environment and minimize distractions.

Red is also an enticing color in the workplace because it screams excitement, but it can also be too stimulating for those who are sensitive to bright colors. Using shades of red to trim walls and windows is a great way to gain the benefits of the color without having to worry about any consequences.

Pin Some Posters Up

Keep employees safe and ready for work by pinning up posters that remind everyone of the workplace rules and your company's human resource policies. Displaying this information in plain sight will ensure that employees are not able to blame ignorance if an accident occurs or required paperwork is not filled out correctly. Your posters may also lower your liability when it comes to workplace accidents. To make the posters look more like décor than pinups, put them in traditional wooden frames or drape sheer material around them.

In addition to these design ideas, consider putting a suggestion box up for employees to offer their own insight into what they'd like to see around the office. This should help you fill in the gaps when it comes to wall décor and break area nick-knacks.

2 July 2015