Lack of focus. Cramped conditions. Time wasted looking for work materials.
Countless factors like these can undermine the productivity of your employees – and cost your company a lot of money.
Thankfully, even small changes can lead to big gains over the long haul. So whether they have corner offices, cubicles or work stations, here are a few tips to enhance your team’s productivity by improving their work spaces:
- Improve lighting quality. Still using fluorescent bulbs? They may not be the best choice for supporting productivity. For years, scientists have theorized that artificial light disrupts employees’ circadian rhythms – and can dramatically increase feelings of sleepiness at the end of the work day. Wherever possible, increase the natural light available to workers. If adding windows isn’t possible, consider using light bulbs that mimic the sun’s natural light spectrum. And for workers who are forced to remain in artificial light conditions, offer frequent breaks outdoors to rejuvenate them and increase their alertness.
- Turn up the thermostat. A study by Cornell’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory found that, as office temperature increased from 68 to 77 degrees, typing errors decreased by 44 percent – and typing output improved a whopping 150 percent!
- Turn down the volume. “Collaborative” work environments are great for certain types of project teams, but noisy working conditions can create real productivity problems. Studies have shown that office noise can lead to negative moods, inability to concentrate and even health problems. If your work environment isn’t conducive to quiet, try offering one or more of these alternatives: provide noise cancelling headphones; install sound-absorbing panels in cubicles and/or on ceilings and walls; create quite spaces where workers can go when extreme focus is needed.
- Get organized. It may be a little early for spring cleaning, but it’s never too soon for employees to organize their work spaces. De-cluttering instantly improves both relaxation and focus. So set aside time for your team to devote exclusively to cleaning their areas, archiving old projects and re-stocking supplies. Having everything they need easily within reach (and nothing in their work spaces that doesn’t belong) will greatly boost productivity.
- Encourage personalization. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make your team happy. Encourage your staff to display personal items in the workplace, to remind them of why they do their jobs in the first place. Adding a few personal touches gives employees (and your culture) an instant lift.
- Fix things that bother employees. Tangled computer wires, broken file drawers and buzzing fluorescent lights do more than just irritate your staff – they can rob them of concentration and efficiency. Stay on top of workplace repairs and empower your employees to fix small problems that get under their skin.
Another great tip for improving productivity? Provide the support employees need to stay focused on their most important tasks. As a leading Middle Tennessee employment agency, Wood Personnel can quickly deliver the talented individuals you need to remove bottlenecks, fill last-minute staff gaps and alleviate overwork. Contact us today to learn more.
