An Approved Index survey of UK office workers found 62 percent reported that they became less efficient during the summer, while over half admitted to working fewer hours. It’s a similar story in North America; research from Captivate Network suggests projects take longer to complete and workers are more distracted during the summer months.
Yet simple changes to office design and flexible workplace policies can help to keep employees engaged and focused.
Tackling the productivity challenge
Ensuring offices are equipped to deal with hotter summer months is key. Air conditioning is among the most valued facilities yet finding a temperature that pleases everyone is often a challenging task. Desk fans or floor plans indicating hot desks directly in the line of air con units may help those in need of additional cooling. Additionally, easy access to water coolers can help people to feel more comfortable.
Outdoor space such as roof gardens also have an appeal in hotter months; some companies have been introducing pop-up outdoor office enclosures complete with WiFi outlets and desks
One of the biggest barriers to introducing these facilities is they will involve some degree of capital outlay. “Businesses are understandably reluctant to make big changes that will only be used and appreciated for a few months of the year,” says Ram Srinivasan, Head of Consulting, JLL Canada.
Building landlords, meanwhile, are creating summertime tenant engagement programs, repurposing shared space inside and outside buildings. “These not only create additional revenue, but also add to the appeal of the location,” says Srinivasan. “We’ve seen everything from ice cream trucks to virtual reality games in our lobby, aesthetically done, adding appeal to the building and increasing engagement.”
Making the most of summer
Instead of altering their office space, many companies have brought in summer-focused working policies. Flexible hours are becoming more common, enabling employees to work a four-day week or half a day on Fridays and then make up the hours during the rest of the working week.
“Regular communication supports flexible working policies and has direct impact on employee productivity and engagement,” says Ana Stanojevic, Associate Director in JLL’s UK Workplace Strategy team. “Business are in touch with employees using team collaboration software, and keep track of employee progression using performance management software.”
It’s also a time when companies can have a bit more fun. Companies may have certain perks such as snacks or beverages available for employees in the latter half of the week, to counter potential productivity dips. “The idea is that people tend to leave early later in the week, but incentives such as these nudge them to stay back and socialize with their colleagues in an informal way,” says Srinivasan.