Here are some of the things you can do when creating a healthy office workspace.
We are going to cover tangible elements like lights and furniture, and also less tangible elements such as diversity and community.
Providing Good Furniture
Getting good furniture that will encourage good posture is going to help you a lot when creating a healthy workspace for your employees.
There are some who have added tables that can easily be turned into standing tables. This means that the employees can work productively while standing any time they feel tired of sitting.
Another good option to get is an ergonomic chair.
You can choose to buy a laptop stand and an ergonomic computer mouse and a keyboard.
Getting People Active at Work
Letting your employees be active in their workspace is a good idea because it helps with their health. There are many ways of accomplishing this.
The first is to get a standing desk that goes along with the sitting desk. This is the same tip mentioned above.
You can promote their fitness and health by encouraging them to ditch the elevators and take the stairs. You can also encourage them to walk to the office if they are living close.
Another good way of keeping your employees active is by providing them with stretching exercises. There are some companies that have implemented a 30-second time out every 30 minutes to an hour where employees have to do these exercises.
Promoting a Diverse Workplace
When you allow your employees to take on diverse tasks, it is going to keep their minds working. This is going to help with their productivity.
Instead of them having to do mundane and repetitive tasks, you can encourage a social and collaborative workspace. You can start by making sure you have an open workspace instead of individual cubicles.
When you encourage collaboration, your employees can be more physically and mentally stimulated. This is going to make them less likely to get tired when working on their tasks. It is also going to promote autonomy among individuals and teams.
Creating Workplace Wellness
Outdoor space and natural light are very important for the wellness of your team.
If your office has an outdoor area, then you are lucky and need to take advantage of it. If you have limited natural light, you can schedule intervals to go outside and get fresh air. Indoor air quality monitoring will help you to maintain a healthy work environment for your staff.
You can improve the ambiance of the workplace by getting some lamps or decorative lighting. This improves the work environment.
A well-lit workplace is good for the productivity of your staff. Dim lights usually make people feel tired while bright lights make them more energized.
It is also a good idea to have team-building events like outdoor lunches, barbecues, and picnics every month.
Another way to promote a healthy workplace is to stock up the office pantry and make sure it is clean and accessible for everyone.
Utilizing the Power of Technology
Virtual communication has become popular and even as important as communicating face-to-face.
The tools you need for virtual communication don’t have to be that expensive. A good way of communicating today is through tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack.
When technology is incorporated into the technology in your workplace, individuals have more flexibility when it comes to communicating with each other. This is going to promote a better work-life balance.
Another benefit you can expect to get from technology is it makes work more organized, which improved efficiency.
Making the Workplace Movement-Friendly
No one likes sitting at their desk the entire day because it can cause issues like back problems. A movement-friendly workplace is important for people looking to move around once in a while.
You should try creating an office where employees can get up from their desks and walk around. This is in addition to standing desks.
You shouldn’t force your employees to sit still because it is going to do a lot of harm. Encourage movement because it encourages them to refresh their minds and improves productivity.
Bringing in Natural Light and Plants
You can reduce stress levels by adding natural light and plants to the workspace.
Plants are going to make the office feel homey and this increases productivity. It is important to have natural light because it makes the room brighter and feels more alive.
Light has a positive impact on your mental well-being. This is why doctors encourage people to try and get a minimum of 4 hours of sunlight a day.
Using Thoughtful and Good Design
A beautiful and spacious office motivates employees.
The last thing you want is to work in an office that has a worn-out and dreary design. The office needs to have good lighting and design.
Have a look at offices of the big companies like Facebook and Google. You will notice that they are creatively designed. This is because they know it promotes a healthy work environment.
Think out of the box as you design the office. There are some offices that offer slides. Be careful not to go overboard. There are a lot of ideas out there that will help you get the best balance.
Read more:
How to Create a Healthy Office Workspace