When preparing a Wellbeing strategy, you cannot overlook a key element – office space. At work, we spend a significant part of our day and life, which is why the environment in which we work affects us continuously and permanently. A well -organized workplace has a positive effect on all wellbeing areas: systems and processes, organizational culture, employees' awareness, their health and relationships.
– If you ask users of space, which they associate with a well -furnished office, there will certainly be such answers as “nice colors”, “interesting design”, “modern meetings for meetings”, “Pleasant view from behind the window” – says Anna Dziadkowiec, Workplace Partner in Workplace Team and Chief Wellbeing Officer. – But A well -furnished office is first a place whose functionality is tailored to the needs of the employee and the tasks entrusted to him resulting from the business strategy. It is also a tool in the hands of an employer, which can both facilitate and impede the fulfillment of daily duties. Hence It is important to think about it, with the awareness that it can positively or negatively affect Wellbeing in the workplace – emphasizes.
Office as an investment in an employee
A well -designed office is an investment in an employee who in a friendly space strengthens its efficiency, satisfaction, motivation and health. In the era of hybrid work, when the presence in the office is often perceived as an obligation or temporary “breath” from remote work, It is worth ensuring that the office space is associated positively and realistically supporting business goals.
In addition, the office is a tangible showcase of the company – as an employer, business partner, contractor. It is good that the image built outside is consistent with what is happening inside. Comfort in the workplace directly affects the daily experience of employees, and any inconvenience can shape their general assessment of the organization.
Benefits are not everything
Benefits are often the first association behind the slogan Wellbeing. However, in a wellbeing workplace, a list of benefits does not have to reach two sides. It can be short, but its basis should be thinking about man and his needs – both health and mental ones. Regardless of whether we are talking about the first line employee, manager or director – everyone has their own stories and needs that are worth hearing.
Wellbeing organization should take them all, putting them in the first place on The quality of the services provided and adaptation to recipients, i.e. its employees. An office organized in a thoughtful manner can be an important element of benefit policy. During hybrid work, a properly designed space may be an argument encouraging to presence in the office.
Strategic approach to office design
The first step should be a comprehensive examination of the current state. It is worth looking at your work spaces and think about whether they need to refresh or change.
Is the amount of space available suitable for employees using it? How to take care of employees who appear in the office sporadically and do not feel integration with the company? How to adapt meetings to current online conversation standards? How to prepare an office for constant variability? What should be optimized in space by gaining additional resources?
Other important issues are the arrangement of the office when reducing the rented space and taking care of the needs of users with irregular use of the office. These are not simple questions and often seeking answers requires the involvement of many pages in the company and the use of the knowledge of experts who properly guide search and help in making the most accurate decisions.
Key rules of the office of the office
When planning and designing an office, you should always take into account the comfort of various users, including neuroatypical ones, and the utility of space. At the same time, you cannot forget about the ergonomics of the office and the workplace, the current work model, business strategy or the needs of the organization.
A well -designed office will then become a useful tool for various stakeholders of the company. Otherwise – even the most modern Relax Room will not be a good solution if it is not adapted to the organizational culture and the work model in the company.
The physical work environment builds the company's image as an employer who cares for their people, which is important for both current employees and potential candidates. In the era of struggle for talents, a thoughtful approach to office space can become a significant competitive advantage.
