How physical workspaces can affect employee happiness

By October 21, 2019For Companies

Developing a strong company culture is critical in attracting the best talent to your organisation. Today’s candidates are looking for more than just a pay cheque, they want a job that aligns with their values and facilitates their career development. To appeal to these candidates, employers need to become more adept at promoting what’s unique about their company. One element of company culture that’s often overlooked is the physical working environment. The physical workspace and facilities can have a huge impact on talent attraction and retention. It’s important to realise the value your workspace can add to your employee experience.  

As the workforce continues to evolve, ensure that your workspace is evolving too. You need to be aligned with what today’s talent are looking for. Focus on the following: 

Autonomy

Research shows that freedom and flexibility are top priorities for talent – both when looking for new roles and looking to improve their current ones. How does your workplace offer freedom to its employees? Are they confined to their desk for the working day or are there also communal spaces where they can work from? Companies like Airbnb have introduced flexible desk options where employees are free to work from any area in the office rather than having an assigned seat. 

Read more talent insights in The Occupier

Collaboration 

As freelance or project-based work become more common, so too does the need for workspaces that facilitate team building and collaboration. Breakout areas where teams can hold working sessions and communicate openly are crucial. An open plan office design can lead to freer exchange of ideas and better channels of communication cross-functionally. Ultimately, more open discussion leads to better cohesion which leads to happier, more productive teams. For teams to really flourish, consider incorporating secluded areas or single pods for work that requires high concentration and no distractions. 

Sustainability

A green office space can be a big draw for talent. Millennials and Centennials in particular are more environmentally aware than older generations and want to work in an eco-friendly space. Think about what green policies you can implement that would show your commitment to a more sustainable working environment. Adding a bike rack to the office, using clearly labelled recycling bins or switching to LED bulbs are all small but impactful ways to affect change in the workplace. 

Learning

The future of work is upon us and with it the need to constantly adapt to new technologies This means that employees need to adopt a learning mindset if they are to keep abreast of tech updates. The physical workplace also plays a role here with employees requiring areas to build on their skills or share knowledge. Jobbio research shows that 85% of people want to pursue upskilling opportunities in 2019. Does your office have enough areas that could be used for continued learning? Bean bags are great but meeting rooms that could host workshops or guest lectures are better. 

Ultimately, employees who are happy in their working environments are more engaged, more productive and more likely to stay in a company long term. Investing in your physical workspace and facilities may seem like a daunting task at first but it can be what sets you apart from other companies when competing for talent. 


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Author Aoife Geary

Aoife Geary is the Content Editor at Jobbio specialising in the areas of Workplace Culture, Diversity, Startups and Digital Trends. She's partial to a burrito, a bad pun and living way beyond her means.

More posts by Aoife Geary

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