While we put lots of energy into revamping, changing and refreshing our own homes when it comes to the space we spend most of our time in, i.e., the office it seems like people just don’t care. Years can go by with the carpet being the same old industrial blue, walls a boring beige, or worse gray and the curtains that weird, faded green.
A Place For Everything
Nothing makes employees more miserable than coming into work and being greeted with a
,seemingly never ending, pile of paperwork. Invest in shelves, large filing cabinets and even expandable folders as well as allowing each employee to choose stationary in colors they like to help keep things more organized. It’ll reduce time spent looking for quarterly sales figures; staff will love being able to put their own stamp on things because let’s face it, who doesn’t like stationary? Feeling organized will also help to improve morale, and they’ll feel able to tackle the day’s challenges if they’ve arrived at a clean, tidy desk. Lots of office supply firms offer product discounts when you buy in bulk so you won’t need to spend too much either.
Take A Break
Because employees are sitting down at their desks all day and more than likely staring at a screen it isn’t good for them to eat lunch there either. Ensure all employees have a fifteen-minute coffee break each morning, at around 10.30, as it’ll give them a chance to stretch their legs, grab a latte and breaks up the time from arriving in the morning to leaving at lunchtime nicely. No one wants to eat their sandwiches on a bench in the rain so it’s good to have a separate brightly colored break room separate from the main office where they can relax.
Scandinavian companies and tech giants like Google give their employees games, books, movies to watch and even sleeping pods to nap in during lunch. Why not head down to IKEA to grab some cheap, funky reception style chairs and sofas? If you’re looking to create some extra space, then you might want to speak to an office space planning company too.
Make It Personal
Don’t let people’s desks become bland and boring! Staff should be able to express their interests, display personal photos and have cool lamps. Found there’s a bit left in the budget? Give each employee $100 dollars, including yourself, and tell them to let their desk decorating imaginations run wild. You could even start a company-wide ‘coolest desk’ competition. Apparently, having USB coffee mugs, owl pen pots and food shaped erasers helps to boost employee productivity as they feel happier, taken notice of and well cared for. Plus happy staff equals less tardiness, poor quality work, and absenteeism.
Art Attack
Research shows that looking at art no matter its style, or discipline helps to improve concentration and contributes to stimulating the mind. By popping a few colored prints, abstract drawings or even Where’s Wally esque murals on the walls employees won’t feel overwhelmed by large, imposing empty squares and it gives everyone something to talk about.