Is your workplace regularly reviewed? Do you take steps to provide the optimal environment for the type of work your team does? If not, you could be losing more than two hours of time from every member of staff, every week.
That’s according to research into workers’ habits by Mace Macro, which found workplace shortcomings are costing the UK economy around £4 billion each year.
A lack of natural light is one of the most common problems, while noisy offices are also a big factor for many who feel they are not as effective as they could be.
Ross Abbate, global managing director of Mace Macro, encouraged business owners not to wait until their lease is up for review before they consider changes to improve the working environment.
“A well-designed workspace with the right facilities and most up-to-date technology could have a dramatic impact on the productivity levels of the company as a whole,” he said. “A few minor improvements could significantly improve a business’s ability to attract and retain talented staff and help boost its growth potential.”
The Invisible Environment
At 361 Degrees we believe creating an effective workplace begins with the invisible environment, because people cannot perform at their best in spaces where the air quality is poor, where they are too warm or too cold, or where humidity levels stifle their creativity.
The average office worker spends just 37 minutes a day outside, excluding their commute, so creating the right conditions in the workplace is more important than ever.
And with the latest study showing an average of 2.4 hours is lost to unproductivity every week, businesses are encouraged to review every aspect of a building to ensure it supports physical and mental wellbeing. The 18 to 24 age group is affected more than any other, with 25% of this group saying they are unproductive for as many as eight hours each week.
Better lighting, ventilation and air conditioning systems are not the only ways to improve the workplace, however. A lack of quality tea and coffee facilities was among the problems cited by respondents, and this comes after Leesman research found nearly 80% of employees believe these are important features.
