Nowadays, many employees consider that the office is something like a second home. Throughout their working lives, average office employees in the United Kingdom will spend more than 99,000 hours at the workplace, and the figures can quickly add up once you start taking into account overtime.

In view of the above, it only makes sense that caring office managers and others in managerial positions may want to ensure that their office environment is as comfortable and inspiring as it can be. Although some may see this as a costly and unnecessary investment, the truth is that a little effort will go a long way in terms of boosting staff morale and improving productivity levels in the office. As research has shown, making the office more comfortable is not just a matter of improving its appearance, but also an effective way of creating a positive and healthy working environment. In this post we have listed some effective measures that you can implement in the office to achieve this beneficial goal.

Invest in good-quality ergonomic office furniture

If you are going to spend a quarter of your day sitting at a desk, you may as well do it comfortably. Don’t limit yourself to chairs though, as today there are many different types of ergonomic furniture available that can make a big difference to the comfort levels of your office. Consider things like adjustable height desks, monitor arms, keyboard trays, mouse platforms, or even kneeling chairs. The benefits will surprise you, as they include everything from improved mental function to a reduced risk of developing chronic injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Improve the lighting fixtures

The human body reacts very strongly to lighting conditions, and in fact, our body clocks are mostly dictated by how much or how little light we are exposed to. Poor or inadequate lighting in an office environment is one of the major causes of migraines and decreased productivity. Similarly, continued exposure to fluorescent lighting can trigger anxiety and depressed moods.

Health and safety experts recommend fitting office space with daylight bulbs and placing individual lamps on desks in order to give employees more control over the office lighting fixtures. If possible, re-position desks or computers in a way that glare is minimised, and avoid direct lighting as much as you can.

Office temperature control

Have you ever been involved or witnessed an office “temperature war”? Different individuals have different tolerance levels when it comes to hot or cold temperatures, so it is extremely difficult to please everyone in the office when turning the air con or heating on and off. Although feeling too hot or too cold is a subjective sensation, it can have very tangible effects on your staff productivity, and thermal discomfort can cause drowsiness and / or distractions.

Thankfully, modern technology has made it easier to create personalised temperature settings in workspaces. Individual air con or heating vents can be fitted on each desk or office section, so that employees can control how much hot or cold air is blown into their working space.

In addition, make sure to check the state of your office ventilation systems. Poor ventilation has been shown to reduce productivity and to affect workers’ performance levels negatively. The importance of that stuffy feeling caused by blocked, dirty, or inadequate ventilation systems is usually underestimated, but it is important to note that this is one of the major causes of SBS (sick building syndrome).

Introduce some greenery

Office buildings tend to be grey and dull, and there is a reason for it. Many years ago, it was believed that these characteristics would stop employees from getting distracted, improving their concentration levels. However, time has proven this assumption wrong, and nowadays we can see a conscious effort to bring some colour and brightness into office workspaces. Plants can contribute to better air quality and can also counterbalance a hectic environment with their calming effect. If you want to make a real difference, consider fitting green or living wall in your office.

Encourage individuality

Few things are more detrimental to creativity and productivity than being forced to act like a robot. This does not mean that you have to forego all rules and office regulations, but make sure that they are reviewed often and that you keep a flexible attitude. Above all, encourage your staff’s individuality and show confidence in how their different skills can contribute to creating a more inspiring workplace.