How to Ensure Your Office Space is Welcoming and Functional for Staff
As a business owner, there is no doubt you are constantly looking for ways to improve functionality, efficiency, processes, customer satisfaction, and profit margins in the organization. It’s a never-ending quest to improve and ensure you’re hitting all your goals and milestones on the pathway to success. One thing you don’t want to lose sight of along the way is just how important your employees are to the overall success. Without dedicated employees who are giving their all to the job, the business simply cannot succeed. So, what can you do to help facilitate this?
One important tip is to create an office space that is welcoming and functional for all staff, providing them with the essentials to do their job successfully. Here are some ways to do just that.
Provide Them with a Functional and Amenity-Packed Breakroom
Because your employees will take breaks throughout the day, it’s a good idea to provide a welcoming and comfortable space for them to retreat. Rather than just a standard room with a few chairs, you can really deck it out and provide the kind of amenities that make them feel valued and appreciated.
Amenities and features can include a comfortable table and chairs for eating at, a couch for relaxing, a television, refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, a coffee machine or coffee center, vending machines, a dishwasher, and dishes they can use so they don’t have to bring their own. You’ll also need to be sure this area is kept clean and inviting.
Be Aware of the OSHA Regulations on Washroom Facilities
You also want to be sure you’re providing employees with enough washroom facilities. The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) actually requires a specific number of toilets per employees; there is a minimum of two toilets for 16 to 35 employees. And as this professional plumber Indy based points out, this also means that if one of those washrooms should be out of order, you need to get it fixed immediately in order to stay in compliance to the OSHA rules.
Ensure Workspaces Have All the Necessary Equipment – Plus Some Extras
It will also be wise to ensure that each employee’s work station is not only filled with the necessary equipment such as a computer, telephone, an adequately sized desk, and a comfortable chair, but you can go that extra step further. Give employees room to organize and store work-related materials, provide them with individual task lighting, create a sense of privacy and space, and really take the time to ensure the workstation is inviting.
Allow for Plenty of Natural Light
Natural light in an office environment can drastically improve the mood in employees, therefore making them more productive in general. Look for a space that has plenty of windows, and then make sure any shades or blinds are open to let that light flow in.
Happy Employees Equals Productive Employees
At the end of the day, happy employees will be much more productive in their job, which will only help the bottom line of your company.
