How Comfort Contributes to Workplace Productivity
Many factors play a role in how much success an organization enjoys. Employers introduce several measures and incentives to ensure their workers deliver maximally. Some of these measures can include free lunch, health care, house and wardrobe allowance, bonuses, and increased salary. With the growing rate of competition amongst organizations, employers are on the lookout for competitive advantages. The best talents are being hunted, and a thriving work culture is being created.
Despite all of these, not much attention has been paid to the role of comfort on an employee's work performance. Productivity is the sole reason employers hunt for the best talent, but sometimes even the best talents need to be triggered to work their magic. There is a strong relationship between the physical appeal and comfort in the workplace and how much employees deliver, and this is how furniture comes in handy. Office design and furniture go a long way in creating the right environment for efficiency.
It sounds trivial, but it is a psychologically proven fact. When staff are comfortable, they not only get excited about work, they also have the right conditions to be productive, both mentally and physically. A recent study by Alan Hedge, Ph.D., and Cornell University established a strong link between comfort and performance. A physical work environment can also be known as an ergonomic workplace.
Why The Workplace Needs To Be Comfortable
Man is both externally and internally motivated. Humans need to be in certain conditions to produce economic value. For instance, a tight and clustered environment—littered with waste—will make employees feel clumsy and draggy. Also, an uncomfortable chair and desk will cause workers to develop back and nerve issues which may affect their job performance.
The workplace needs to be comfortable to ensure that members can carry out their duties without complaints and health consequences. The office should be well decorated for visual appeal. It must be well-furnished with comfortable chairs and desks for health reasons.
How To Increse Workplace Productivity
Ergonomics must be seen as a vital part of the work culture of an organization. It should be incorporated into the running of the organization on a daily basis. Ergonomics has the worker in mind in the design of the workplace, such that the furniture is designed to meet the individual needs of each worker. Here are ways to include ergonomics in the workplace:
This factor accounts for 50% of workplace productivity since most of the time spent in the office is spent sitting. These days, there are companies that deal solely in providing firms and organizations with the right chairs that meet each individual's needs. There are task chairs that provide various customizable features that can reduce physical distractions. Special chairs with lumbar support, seat depth, seat tilt, armrest adjustments are all available. Investing in these chairs will greatly affect office productivity since workers will be more comfortable carrying out their tasks. These ergonomic chairs can improve employees' posture and circulation, helping them stay agile and energized all day.
Mobility should be encouraged in the workplace as it aids blood circulation and ensures that the body does not develop concerns like back and joint pains. To remedy this, mobility in the office can be encouraged by adding a height-adjustable desk, allowing workers to change their postures effortlessly.
Other things to do to keep employees comfortable and productive can include incorporating adjustable monitor arms, footrests, foot mats, and adjustable computer monitors. These accessories prevent body discomforts by ensuring that the wrist, neck, and arm pain are addressed, allowing employees to stay comfortable and healthy.
Office temperature is tied to a strong relationship with workers' moods. For instance, there is a difference in an office that has a comfortable 77 degrees Celsius to a nippy 60 degrees. This could even cause typing errors to increase by a significant level. Most workers could begin to work slower as they struggle to cope with such an uncomfortable temperature.
A temperature-controlled environment can go a long way in bringing out the best from workers. During the colder months, employees need a functional heating system that keeps the environment warm at all times. During summer, functional air conditioning will come in handy for efficiency when the weather is hotter. Having a hot working space can affect focus and also endanger the health of employees.
In an office where people stare at their computers for prolonged periods, having a good lighting system will add spark to the work mood in the office and increase comfort and productivity. Poor quality lighting will not only affect work productivity but can also be bad for the health of employees. Poor lighting can lead to anxiety, headache, and fatigue.
A neat and tidy workplace can greatly increase productivity by eliminating distractions caused by a cluttered workspace. It's no fallacy that workers respond negatively to a disorganized workspace and perform poorly. The surroundings must be encouraging to birth productivity. Employers may add customizable storage solutions to the workplace such that each worker can comfortably get rid of waste from their space. Also, visual distractions can be reduced by hiding cords and cables lying around the office space.
Unwanted noise and sound within the workplace can be a source of distraction and would reduce employee efficiency. Employers can set up specific areas where phones and other sounds are prohibited. This will encourage focus and more results. Headphones can also be used to cancel out unwanted noise during working hours.
Adding plants to the workplace would increase visual appeal and make the office more comfortable and productive. Plants play a more important role than aesthetics. They improve the workplace mood and also absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. This improves the quality of air in the office and makes breathing better and healthier.
The Result Of Workplace Comfort On Productivity
Motivation: When the workplace is comfortable and nice, it boosts employees' morale and keeps them motivated for work. Rather than complaints of sore wrists and backaches, employees can work with ease and delight.
Safety: When people realize that they are safe, they'll be encouraged to work knowing there would be no health effects or hazards while carrying out their duty.
Increased team spirit: Work culture would thrive better in a comfortable environment that meets each individual's needs. Making the workplace comfortable causes efficiency and increases team spirit.
Wrap Up
The productivity of workers is largely tied to how comfortable they are. At SOLOS, we have all you need for the comfort of your workers. Our team is waiting to help you with the spark that is just right for your workplace; you are just a dial away (tel:6504464400).
