When we think of things that could be missing from the businesses we run, we tend to focus on those operational intangibles. Good coordination, incredible teamwork, excellent customer service etc., and we fail to focus on the genuine, real changes we can make to improve the way we work.
One of the smallest, yet most effective you could ever make, is adding to the level of comfort available in your office. An uncomfortable workplace makes for a distracted team, and it won’t do anything for your reputation as the boss. Employees are less likely to enjoy their jobs, and performance metrics like absenteeism could run unusually high.
So let’s fix that. If your office is missing that essential comfort factor, here’s what you need to think about.
Do Employees Regularly Get Up From Their Desks?
This could be an issue regarding how comfortable the desks are to work at, but it could also mean things are a little too far away to be convenient.
If your employees are having to cross the office to talk to each other, they’re going to do that more than they will stay at their workstations.
If equipment like the printer is kept in its own little cupboard somewhere, you increase the inefficiency of your office traffic by making people regularly go to and fro from each point.
Does Anyone Actually Use the Break Room?
Do you ever see your employees actually spending time in there, and not just nipping in to fill a glass or put something in the dishwasher? Then this is a sign your break room just isn’t comfortable enough. Either there’s something weird about the layout, meaning intuitive use isn’t possible, or the furniture and appliances you’ve put in there don’t quite cut it.
Indeed, the chairs you’ve set out might not be all that comfortable, or really all that spacious either. Investing in some new ones, like a nice set of Cantilever Chairs at CFS Store, could be the key to making the break room more appealing and functional.
Similarly, maybe you need to pop some more useful kitchen equipment in there. If you don’t even have a microwave on the counter, buy one with the company budget ASAP!
When your employees are on a break, they should feel like they can relax, and even kick back, before getting back to work at their desks.
Are Your Employees Always Coming in Wearing Multiple Layers?
Multiple layers, even in the warmer months, can suggest a temperature issue. People may come in wearing very thick coats, and even when they’re sitting down inside, the coat never goes too far from them.
If that’s a trend you’ve noticed in your workplace, check the thermostat. What’s it sitting at? If the temperature is below the average you’d see in any domestic environment, you’ll probably need to turn it up a couple of degrees.
When your office isn’t comfortable enough, the signs will be there! Look out for ones like these.
