How office layout affects productivity

You and your staff likely spend a lot of time in the office, so it makes sense for the space to be a positive place to work and socialize. But have you ever thought about how your office layout can affect the productivity and work effort of your employees? We've taken a deep dive into how your office layout can impact productivity, as well as some of the most popular types of office layouts in the UK.
Office environment and what to consider
Your work environment can have a big impact on the quality and number of tasks completed. Here are some specific points you should think about as a business owner to have a more productive and positive office environment.
Noisy workspace vs. calm
Chances are that all your employees are different and no two people will succeed in the same work environment. This means you need to create a workspace that works for almost everyone. This may sound like a big task, but it may not be as difficult as you think. You need to think about the noise level in your office. Some people like silence, others like general chatter and background noise, and some like listening to music. For those who prefer a noisy atmosphere or listening to music, an open office is the right choice. Breakout rooms can be used for informal meetings and discussion of ideas. However, it may not be suitable for people who prefer to work with little sound. Is there a place where employees can work in a quieter environment? There may be meeting rooms and laptops available for them, or there may be a separate office area that can be used for quiet workers. There should be a number of places available in your office that have different work environments to suit your staff. This way, everyone's preferences are satisfied, helping them get more work done.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics relates to office working conditions, such as lighting, equipment, and desk arrangement. You must ensure that every member of staff is satisfied with their working conditions and that there are no pressing issues that might prevent your employees from working at their best. You must ensure that all workers feel comfortable. This means making sure the room temperature is right, the lighting is adequate, and the staff is happy with their table and chair arrangements. Lighting in the office is important because sufficient light can prevent eye strain, fatigue and headaches. You should let as much natural light into the building as possible and keep artificial lights on at all times. Employee computer screens should be at eye level and not reflect any light from windows or office lighting. Keyboard and mouse rests should be provided where necessary to properly support the arms and wrists. Office chairs should be fully adjustable and foot rests should be provided if the employee's feet cannot touch the floor. If your staff feels uncomfortable, or suffers injuries from an inappropriate work space, they may not be able to get as much work done. You should do everything you can to ensure they feel happy and relaxed.

Decor
The look of the office can have a big impact on productivity. Is it a boring room with white walls and curtains on the windows so your employees feel closed off? Or a colorful, vibrant room that has lots of natural light and plants to provide additional oxygen? You can redesign your office space into a fun and relaxing place to work. No one likes a messy office, so you should provide employees with plenty of storage and drawer space to store personal items, stationery and documents. Plants can increase office productivity by up to 15 percent, making them a must-have accessory when needed. for your office decoration. Lastly, inspirational words can be a good idea. If your company has certain brand values ​​or slogans, you can stick them on the walls of your office or breakout room.
What makes a positive work environment?
Now that we've determined some of the things you can do to make your employees more productive, we want to explain what makes a positive workspace.
Communication
It is important that you communicate with your employees, but also that they communicate with each other. Whether it's about work issues, good things that have happened or their personal lives, communication is the key to a positive work environment.
Promote work life balance
Employees should be able to leave on time and not feel guilty about it. Employers should encourage this kind of behavior and not praise staff who arrive late. If you find that many of your team members are late, you may need to review their workflow as this could be a sign that they have too much work to do.
Team spirit
Poor layouts, such as closed cubicles, can impact team morale because they can prevent people from talking or engaging with each other. You should encourage teams and departments to interact with each other with more open office spaces, which we'll cover in the next section.

What are the different types of office layouts?
There are many ways to organize your office, and there are pros and cons to each. It depends on the type of office environment you want to create. You can choose an open office, as in the picture. This allows staff members to chat easily whenever they want, but they also have a private space where they can relax and work. In a mobile office layout, each person has their own cubicle separated by a bar between the desks. This may be ideal for those who prefer to work in a quiet environment, but it is not suitable for everyone. A mobile office looks like this: Finally, you can use a combination of both so your employees can choose the space depending on whether they want to work quietly or want a more relaxed environment.