Various factors determine workplace productivity, such as a healthy work environment. But, what does a healthy work environment mean? A healthy workplace protects the physical and mental health of the staff.
In this post, we have provided eight ways to improve the health factor in your workplace, avoid sick building syndrome and thereby boost your staff members’ productivity and happiness levels.
#1. Give your staff a standing desk.
Usually, it is unhealthy for an individual to sit for a long time without a break. At the same time, it isn’t easy to get regular physical activity during working hours. To bridge this gap, most organizations are investing in standing desks to enable their staff to stand or sit as they work.
Standing desks come in two main kinds: a full standing desk and a unit placed on the normal employee desks. Standing desks are popular because they provide the perfect balance of sitting and standing while working, and this is because it is not healthy to stand all day at work.
#2. Provide a comfortable working space
The perfect workspace is small enough to allow all staff to work together and provide adequate space to make everyone comfortable. To develop such a workspace, ensure all staff members are provided with their own space and workstation, according to their individual needs. Each area should have the needed tools and be strategically located to enable staff to work cohesively with one another.
#3. Identify and reward your staff.
One method to keep a motivated team is to appreciate your employees and award them prizes for different company achievements. At the start of a project, many employees are usually in high spirits, but project work becomes difficult and tedious over time.
The best way to keep your staff motivated is to set milestones and award prizes for every milestone your team attains. The reward need not be a huge offer; sometimes, an email informing your staff of the reached milestones and appreciating their efforts can invigorate the team and make the office more fun. Alternatively, you can take your staff out for lunch or coffee – such small acts of kindness matter a lot.
#4. Ensure your entire team is united
A united team is a key to a healthy work environment, even when part of the team works remotely. The most reliable way to build a productive workforce is to get the staff members to know each other and make connections.
Look for creative ways to connect your team better. For instance, if your company has virtual employees, set up virtual meetings and ensure everyone can participate. Additionally, seek ways to break the ice by asking questions like “Do you have any pets?” or “What is your best hobby?”
Ice-breaker questions help employees open up to one another, learn from each other, and build synergies that will boost their work efficiency.
#5. Have some plants in the workplace
Plants have many ways of making our work environment healthier and more comfortable. For example, they purify the air we breathe and are especially vital if you work in an area with stuffy or dry air. Additionally, plants help to make the work environment livelier, putting everyone in a good mood.
Green and leafy plants are best for an office. Avoid plants such as cacti that could hurt people. At the same time, please limit the number of plants you have and place them in strategic positions in your office, like on shelves and tables.
#6. Improve the quality of air
The air quality in the office can hamper the smooth flow of operations or cause health problems for the staff members for days. Poor air quality resulting from paint odors, carpeting, and furniture causes occupational allergies with symptoms like rashes, sinus pain, headaches, and eye irritation.
Some of the causes of poor air quality may be difficult to change. However, you can use other small tips to improve air quality, such as air purifiers around the office space. Ensure you buy air purifiers with HEPA filters to get rid of various dust particles in the air.
#7. Use green paint for your workspace
Research indicates that the color green spurs creativity in the workplace. You need your employees to be creative all the time, and the green color is inspirational and motivates employees. Alternatively, consider hanging backdrops on the walls or using green art to decorate the office space.
When selecting the right green color, go for the calming shades of green instead of the bright green color. For instance, sage and sea-foam greens are excellent choices or any other color that can help calm your mind and activate your creativity.
#8. Appreciate the role of conflict among staff members
At first, it seems wrong, but it is beneficial to allow healthy and respectful conflict among the staff while in the workplace. Such a dispute supports the generation of new ideas and efficient business methods. Inspire your team to develop creative ideas and allow the discussion to proceed from there.
For instance, request staff members to note on an index card linked to the idea. Gather the cards and hand them over to the team, ensuring no one receives their card. Let your group read the thoughts and offer responses to the suggestions. This will lead to the generation of new ideas.
