Offices can have a range of different features and routines to cater for all types of workers. Whether this be by having quieter working spaces for those who like to knuckle down, or various types of office furniture for everybody’s needs, it is important to consider all employees’ preferences when designing offices. Over the past few years in particular, the way people work has certainly begun to change, meaning new ways of working have revealed the ways in which employees work best. Here are just a few things to take into account when considering how to cater for all employee preferences.
Employees that want to work in the office & those that want to work from home
As working from home has become the new norm for a lot of people, many employees have come to realise the benefits of working from the comfort of their own home. There are various pros and cons of working from home for both the employees and the employer. For employees, the new working environment can mean they can be much more flexible, by fitting schedules around family commitments and less time wasted commuting large distances to the office. For employers, the benefit of working from home can reduce a number of costs for them both in and out of the office. With a reduced number of sick days and unexpected days off that their employees take, managing their workers can be much more efficient for them.
However, working from home isn’t always as good as it seems for some, as it can be more difficult to track employees’ work, making employers’ jobs a lot harder, many prefer the traditional office jobs they signed up for. Workers can feel lonely and disconnected from their workplace and colleagues. As getting up and out for work everyday was once their daily routine, a range of workers may prefer their office working lifestyle. Therefore, to cater for both styles of employees, business owners may need to start considering a hybrid working model that will allow both working from home and working from the office and employees can decide which routine works best for them.
Catering for different desk & work routine preferences
As it is harder for full time office workers to stay active with their day to day sitting down job, many employees will often try out anything to keep their activity levels going. With sitting down for such long periods of time, this can even impede focus, therefore there are many ways to easily incorporate more activity into their working day. Providing employees with office furniture that increases activity levels is a great way to keep them going. Many office furniture companies like Southern Office Furniture provide a range of height adjustable desks that can be altered to stand up, to allow for more flexibility in how employees work. With their guide to office desks, business owners can choose the right desks for their workforce and different employee needs that will help them stay more active, comfortable, and focused at work.
For those employees who can’t fit going to the gym and exercise in their busy schedule, there are many tips that can provide employees with information on how to stay fit and active at work. From exercises that can be carried out from their desks, to taking a more active lunch break, the ways are endless for staying fit from the office even for those that can’t fit in the time for exercise. If employees provide flexi-time, their workers could fit in lunchtime walks or their daily exercise around their job. Providing a more flexible working week can also ease any mental strain and make employees feel happier and more able to focus on their work.
Offering solutions for both collaborative & independent working styles
A huge aspect to consider for your employees preferences is whether they like to work collaboratively or independently. Of course the office will be filled with a mix of workers who each prefer separate ways of working, but to respect these desires, business owners must think carefully of how to cater for each working type. For workers who enjoy independent working, they will often prefer quiet working spaces to get on with their workload. For the ones who prefer collaborative working, meeting rooms, conference rooms, and breakout spaces are a great way to cater those needs. The benefits of conference rooms are endless in helping employees work more efficiently.
These meeting rooms and breakout spaces are excellent for employees to collaborate frequently in a more private space whilst not distracting others. These working spaces have been proven to increase creativity and challenge perspectives so workers can come up with fresh new ideas. Not to mention the improvements on mental health as team bonding is encouraged and it can help staff to feel more positive about their workplace and workload. If business owners have a range of work space available to use, they can effectively supply alternative workspaces for their employees. Adapting the work environment to worker’s needs can help boost productivity and motivation in the office.
