The office environment is far more important than we think. Not only does it affect our mood, but it also plays a major role in productivity. We spend a significant part of our lives at our workplace, which means that unsuitable conditions can quickly become a burden on our everyday lives.

Financial aspects

Although many companies choose to save money on their office environment first and foremost, this can easily backfire in a short period of time. The office atmosphere has a huge impact on productivity, which could also lead to revenue losses in the worst case scenario. In addition to motivating employees, it is also important to keep an open eye on their mental and physical health, as in the long run, fluctuations caused by illness and resignations could cause significant setbacks for the company.

A question of location

The location of our office also strongly contributes to the topic. Choosing a hub for our office that is easily accessible from anywhere in the city is not only crucial for our employees, but also for our clients. In terms of public transport and car access, this is also a key factor, as they help us to build relationships within and outside the office. 

As well as spending time at work, it is also worth providing recreational resources available to colleagues so that they can easily become inspired by surroundings full of opportunity.  This can motivate them to get out and about, to work in a team and to be more present in person, all of which would further enhance productivity both as individuals and as a community.

The importance of functionality

An enjoyable environment will make the colleagues happier as well, which strengthens their commitment to the company over the years. The right space allocation and the proper office equipment play a fairly important role in this. Besides, fast internet connection, multifunctional spaces are also factors that are now essential requirements in an office. 

But why are multifunctional spaces so ‘earthshaking’? By creating separate areas for recreation and socialising, team spirit and focus can be improved at the same time. A company called Herman Miller has developed a number of ways to transform open office spaces into a productive workplace with the help of remote room dividers – without spending huge amounts of money on installing permanent walls (as an example the Nucleo Screen or Kivo dividers).

The base

In addition to the equipment, we should also put more emphasis on the overall design of the office. Natural and artificial light will make our environment more welcoming and vibrant, while the use of elegant elements will have a positive influence on everyone’s well-being. As well as brightening up spacious spaces, greenery can also act as a separator. The use of different finishes and materials can divide a large space into different rooms, which can be accentuated by the use of different types of light. Previous studies have also shown that the customisability of the office can bring the employee even closer to the company, so this can also be an important aspect of implementation.

These are essential factors not only for our employees, but also for our guests and partners, as our office is just as representative of our values as our employees or any other brand elements.

Striving for productivity

Nothing demonstrates the close link between productivity and the office environment better than the case studies done by MillerKnoll. The office equipment company realized that many stakeholders are operating in environments that are unsuitable for everyday work – both from a business and people perspective. MillerKnoll has therefore decided that it was time to introduce a new way of thinking about workplaces. 

The US company has developed a framework (also known as ‘Living Office’) that allows firms to meet its business and employee needs at the same time. The project helps employers to get a better understanding of their colleagues’ working methods, making it much easier to create a supportive, yet business-efficient environment. 

Alongside the international efforts, we also have to provide the best conditions we can in our own environment. Encouraging and spending time in a team is a positive way to build community, and we need to create a space, where we do not oblige our employees by rule to come in to work. An enjoyable environment and a positive attitude will surely reinforce loyalty and effective performance in the long term.