Fewer than a third of UK workers are happy with their office environments, claiming they are too noisy and detrimental to their mental and physical health. So, how can companies ensure staff remain fruitful, creative and, most importantly, happy at work?
In recent years, there has been a backlash against desk-based open-plan offices and a move towards a “palette of places”, according to a recent New York Times article. Noting the mounting research on building design and employee wellbeing, creativity and productivity, companies are providing standing desks, breakout spaces, individual pods or even areas where tech is banned – in a bid to give workers a variety of environments to work in.
It’s not just startups favouring activity-based workplace design over individual desks either. Companies across a range of industries are doing so, with the aim of boosting the exchange of ideas and, consequently, productivity. So, what concrete steps can small businesses take to overhaul their workspaces?