Workplace Design and Its Impact on How We Work

by | Jul 7, 2020 | Working Spaces, Workplace Design

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The way you design your office space can have a direct impact on the productivity of your employees. One decision that you’ll have to make is whether you want a concept that supports an open plan, or a closed one, which have both undergone significant cultural and physical changes in a post-COVID world. What might surprise you to learn is that neither of these extremes have historically worked for most people. Instead, about 77% of workers prefer a space that falls somewhere in the middle.

Determining what office space style will suit your company’s needs isn’t always easy. Working with a professional team, such as the one you’ll find at Working Spaces, can help you to find a suitable style that will help to boost your employee’s morale and productivity, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment as well.

Balancing Spaces

In the past, employers assumed that workers who were being social were being distracted from their duties. Employees want choice and control over where and how they work. What has come to light is that workers who have a social atmosphere at work are more likely to work collaboratively on projects in a way that increases productivity for the entire team.

This does not mean that everyone needs to work in an “open” office to be successful. Many companies use a combination of semi-open and private spaces, especially in a post-COVID world where physical distancing could make a lasting impression on our society. Employees want choice and control over where and how they work. This can be accomplished by balancing the open collaborative spaces with the more heads down spaces.

Balanced spaces could include phone booths, huddle rooms, or open collaboration stations. The employees could also work in a space surrounded by low to medium walls that give privacy as well as protection at their workstation. Many furniture manufacturers are producing attractive dividers which serve the same purpose, as well as providing flexibility to creating divisions within existing spaces. Understandably, the ability to sanitize and properly clean surfaces will impact these balanced spaces.

Amenities and workforce performance

On top of the layout of the office space, you also have to think about amenities to offer in the building. This is going to change with each company, and some might be industry dependent. Working Spaces has experience working with companies in several industries, so we can use what we’ve learned to help you. Whether a healthcare facility, a school, or a large commercial space, our designers are ready to provide a myriad of solutions that offer safe, productive, work environments to nurture success.

Employees don’t need their employers to invest in a host of amenities. In fact, some that you’d think would help productivity, such as breakrooms, may not really do any good. Instead, innovation hubs and tech-free zones could be effective and help employees to make the most of every shift by resetting their outlook and offering a refreshed state of mind.

Companies that are ready to renovate their workspaces should contact Working Spaces to find out how our unique service can help them to improve employee morale and boost their productivity. We understand the changes that are coming and are ready to help future-proof your organization that helps employees feel safe coming back to the office. Contact us today to get started.