Is your Office Furniture Stressing your Staff?

A study conducted by Mind Lab on office staff productivity in relation to office furniture and equipment revealed that employees are more stressed out and get reduced mental ability in a more confined “closed-like” office environment. There is a negative impact on employee productivity when the workplace is cluttered with old office furniture, and outdated office equipment.

This was confirmed by another study conducted by the British Council for Offices (BCO), where findings show the same results. They wanted to answer the question: Does Office Work Space Have An Effect On Employee Productivity? It was found out that it does have an effect. A well-designed office, high-standard workplace can reduce employee stress, while increasing their productivity by 25 percent. Also, results showed that staff retention is directly linked by good office design.

The research carried out by Mind Lab composed of two workspaces – a more “open” workplace with more spaces and mobile devices. The other set up is composed of cubicles, more stationary office furniture, slow computers – the “battery-type” of workspace.

Those employees in the more open workspace had a decrease in their stress level of 50 percent. Productivity also rose significantly. While those tested under the “battery” type of area experienced decreasing levels of IQ, speed performance, and a rising level of stress. Positioning of office furniture can even affect employee morale.

All in all, it was justified that a good, open-space designed office, with new furniture and equipment is both good for employee productivity, and business profitability. A well-thought of office design plan can prevent a more stressful experience for the worker.

Tips on how to reduce stress in the workplace:
1. Create a more-open environment in the office by ridding off with cubicles and unnecessary divider walls.
2. Pick new equipment that helps in faster work performance.
3. Utilize the more “open space” by joining tables of workers who work in the same department or have the same nature of job.
4. Replace outdated computers and other old office equipment that does not contribute to productivity.
5. Be choosy in ordering for new furniture. It must utilize space, at the same time not reducing an employee’s working area.

Posted on: Workspace

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Is your Office Furniture Stressing your Staff?

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