Increasing Corporate Workplace Effectiveness

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09 December 2015 | Updated 01 January 1970

A great deal is being written in the press about creating workplaces that allow employees to be at their most productive, by paying attention to factors such as noise, temperature, exercise, lighting, hydration, social cohesion and office layout. But how many organisations are putting adequate focus into creating efficient workplaces?

Having been a corporate employee for many years, spending time working in numerous offices, I am not sure things have changed for the better.

• A move to open plan has allowed greater collaboration and social interaction, but often without implementing measures to deal with the increased noise levels, or the provision of quiet areas for concentration.
• The ongoing drive by management to reduce the day to day running costs of facilities can result in buildings that are not optimally maintained, and unhappy, distracted employees.
• Office redesigns or relocations are often mainly focused on creating an aesthetical pleasing space rather than one that supports efficient working.
• The different needs of employees, and the working areas that will be needed to support them, are rarely considered in detail in advance, resulting in a series of sub-optimal fixes being implemented once the move is complete.

With recent Leesman data indicating that only 54% of employees agree that the design of their workplace enables them to work productively, and 49% indicating that their office is a place that they are proud to bring visitors, there would seem to be significant opportunities for improvement. Staff costs form 90% of a typical business operating costs, so most businesses could make significant improvements to their profitability if their employees were able to be even 5% more efficient. The things that will be needed to achieve this will vary with each organisation, and will require time and effort to realise. Most MDs have many priorities and calls on their time, but surely this is too big an opportunity to miss.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Adapt UK helps businesses save money and increase employee productivity by providing ergonomic workplace solutions that have a positive impact on performance and wellbeing. You can contact me on 07734 600440 or email me at lynne@adapt-uk.com

Article written by Lynne Rushen | Published 09 December 2015

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