Whoa… perfect work environment? Does that even exist?
Maybe not. But there are things we can do to create a more positive, productive and ultimately successful work environment.
Consider perfection a stretch goal :).
We’ve rounded up the best tips and research we could find for creating a great workplace that will help you achieve your goals.
Why work environment matters
Employee turnover is expensive. When you create a work environment your employees enjoy, they will be less likely to leave. And happy employees are good for business.
If you’re a solopreneur, your environment makes a difference to your happiness and productivity.
So go through this checklist and see if there are areas you could improve.
The ultimate work environment checklist
Physical space
Lighting
If you don’t have windows near your workspace, be sure to head outside during the day. Avoid fluorescent lighting as it can cause headaches. Having lighting options that workers can control can improve satisfaction and employee retention. Check out this report for more on the relationships between lighting and work.
Cleanliness and air quality
It’s important to maintain a clean office, not only for health but also because of the perception that clutter and filth can cause — that you don’t care! Air quality matters at work too. Heavily scented cleaning products can impact air quality, as can ventilation. Poor air quality can lead to increased absenteeism. We use a professional cleaning service at [inn]space because cleanliness and air quality matter to us!
Decor
Offices can be functional, comfortable and inspirational. Workers like to have options for privacy. Consider adding private spaces even if your workspace is open. Make sure your furniture is comfy as well as attractive. And don’t ignore decor details like colours, art and plants. Invest the money to create a space where people want to spend time. Let your team make decisions about office decor — according to research, this can also increase productivity.
Plants and outdoor spaces
Plants and outdoor spaces have many benefits. In the office, plants can help with air quality and humidity, noise control, decor and more. Plants also convey caring (provided they’re not dead). Spending time outdoors can boost creativity and memory. If possible, set up an outdoor space your team can access (we did!).
Informal spaces
Offices shouldn’t be about all work all the time. Comfortable spaces for taking breaks or hanging out help encourage social connection. No worries if space is at a premium. Even a couple of comfortable chairs that don’t look like typical office chairs tucked away in a corner can do the trick. Get creative!
Employee perks
Prioritize wellness
Wellness programs can increase employee engagement, among other things. At [inn]space, we offer our guests on-site massage, juice cleanses and guided meditation every Monday. If you’re not sure where to start with your team’s wellness, try asking them!
Puzzles and games
It may seem silly to have puzzles and games around the office as we have at [inn]space, but there’s a reason for it! Research shows puzzles are a great way to hack your brain to boost memory, lower stress and improve problem-solving skills.
Flexibility
Employees like flexibility. There’s evidence it leads to greater job satisfaction. One study found that 51% of employees wished their company offered more flexible options. Just because the conventional workday runs 9 to 5, doesn’t mean you need to follow that. Nor do you need to follow a traditional 5-day work week. Experts argue a shortened work week can be good for business.
Training and new opportunities
Are you debating whether to invest more in your team’s development? You might want to… according to LinkedIn’s 2018 Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their careers.
Pet-friendly
You may want to consider letting some furry friends occupy your workspace from time to time. Having pets at work has been linked to improved morale and productivity. Of course, allergies are a factor, so it’s always a good idea to consult your team.
How you work
Set up tools and systems
A lot of time gets wasted when we don’t have processes and systems for our work. Consider a team chat tool like Slack to keep conversations out of email. Slack is an excellent solution for remote teams too. Try project management software to help keep you or your team on task.
Run effective meetings
Meetings are a major pain point for many of us. If they’re not well run, they can cause frustration for your team and reduce overall productivity.
Take important meetings off-site
Limiting access to outside technology during meetings can help improve focus. If you have an important meeting, like strategic planning, consider taking it off-site. When you leave your workplace to meet, you reduce the likelihood of in-person interruptions. By changing up the environment, you may unlock new thinking.
Give permission to disconnect
In some places, it’s illegal to email after work hours! When you send email at night and on the weekend, you may create an expectation that your team should be connecting then too. If you want to work, no problem. Just save your emails as a draft or schedule them to go out during work hours. It’s important to detach from work — being always on can deplete our mental and physical energy, plus make us less available for our personal relationships.
Encourage breaks
Research has shown taking breaks during the workday can help productivity. It’s also good for our physical health. Check out this post about why walking away from your desk is a good idea for you and your business.
Workplace culture and values
Foster optimism
Optimism is good for business. It can deepen commitment to the work, help with acceptance of change and improve motivation. We all play a role in creating an optimistic office.
Value inclusion and diversity
A report by Salesforce Research found a link between working to improve inclusion and customer loyalty, and employee engagement and productivity. So a focus on equity is not just about doing what’s right.
Communicate!
When it comes to communication, internal communication is a top priority. If your team doesn’t know what’s happening in the organization, how can you expect external audiences to receive the message? Plus, regular and honest communication with your team helps them to feel valued and will build trust.
Hire great people
We know hiring the wrong person can be expensive. When your team members get along, they’ll be more productive. But be careful… implicit bias is a risk in hiring. Sometimes we can create teams that are too similar.
Value relationships
Positive and caring relationships at work make being at work more fun and meaningful. When people feel connected to the people they work with, they’ll work better together. Don’t shy away from getting to know people. Listen and offer support. Create opportunities for people to connect on a personal level, whether through team retreats, by arranging lunches, or simply encouraging breaks.
Stand for something more
Corporate social responsibility programs have various benefits, from marketing to employee morale. More and more, employees want work that includes a sense of purpose. By supporting causes, you can improve engagement. Employees (and customers) also care about environmental sustainability.
Invite feedback
If engagement and improvement matter to you, make sure to ask your team for feedback. It signals you care and will help you find ways to improve. We run an annual survey at [inn]space so we better understand our guests’ experience and how we can support them. There’s a catch though… when you ask for feedback, you need to be prepared to respond. Implement ideas, and if you can’t, make sure you tell people why.