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Letting employees work from home is one way to improve their productivity. A lot of businesses already implement this strategy into their work model, but for many companies, this isn’t a practical solution. A lot of businesses need their employees to be present in the office to complete their work.
Both in the UK and the USA, research studies conducted have shown that employees are much more productive when they work from the comfort of their own home. One study published by Stanford University even showed a 12% increase in employees productivity.
In the UK, the mobile and broadband company, O2, ran a pilot study earlier this year in preparation for the Olympics to determine if having their staff work from home would be more beneficial. It was. Among the benefits were an additional 1,000 hours spent working instead of commuting. Overall, the study found that 36% of employees were more productive at home than in the office.
For many workers, it’s the relaxing and comfortable environment of their own house that makes it much easier and more enjoyable to work in. Sterile office spaces don’t promote creativity, energy or motivation.
To get the best out of your employees, businesses need to adapt these research results into their office environments. Mimicking the calm and welcoming feeling that workers have at home will promote work output and drive results. Not only this, but businesses will notice less sick days and fewer late arrivals. But this doesn’t mean decking the office out in throw rugs and cushions. Instead, it requires you to find a balance between comfort and calm while still promoting the serious side of business.
Office furniture has come a long way from the basics of a simple desk and chair combination. Now you have as much choice in office equipment as you do in paint colours. Like every home, offices are extremely diverse in style and what’s suited to a finance firm will be very different to a design studio. A variety of furniture companies, like Viking Direct and Office Spot realise this and offer a diverse range of furniture to fit every office.
The easiest way to increase the comfort level of a workplace is to get new chairs. From ergonomic to executive or draughtsman, the choice of chairs can be confusing. For employees who spend the majority of the day at their desk, ergonomic chairs are the most comfortable and safe option as they work to support posture and avoid any back injuries. For those who move around more often, you’ll be able to choose from a much broader range of computer and office chairs.
When it comes to desks and office equipment, providing your employees with workstations economises office space and promotes efficiency. Some desks have cupboards and shelves built into them so employees will have all equipment or documents they need to work through the day on hand. Simply designs and whiteboard designs, like those on the Viking website, are usually the most adaptable, depending on your office layout.
A positive work environment not only makes workers more efficient, but improves their general working attitude. By simply changing the furniture, your office can become a much more productive and positive place to work.
