5 Ways Your Workplace Is Stifling Productivity

Every profit-driven company wants to optimize the productivity of their greatest assets, their workforce. The problem is that most workplaces stifle productivity without even realizing it. A study of over 2,500 public and private sector professionals revealed that 97% said their existing workplace design drains their ability to focus and 46% described it as “impacting heavily” on their productivity.  That can translate to hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions annually, depending on the size of the company.

The biggest constraints to achieving productivity in the workplace are also the greatest opportunities. Here are the five factors that have the greatest impact:

1) Ambient Conditions (Air Quality, Temperature, Light, Noise, Views)

• Air quality is inextricably linked to worker health. It has been suggested that 16-37 million cases of colds and flu per year could be avoided by improving indoor air quality in US office buildings. When we are faced with pandemics such as COVID-19, the stakes for good air quality become even higher. Better air quality also equates to less sick days, which take their toll on the bottom line.
• Temperature doesn’t only cause conflict in relationships. Cornell University researchers conducted a study that involved tinkering with the thermostat of an insurance office. When temperatures were low (68 degrees, to be precise), employees committed 44% more errors and were less than half as productive as when temperatures were warm (a cozy 77 degrees). Cold employees weren’t just uncomfortable, they were distracted. The drop in performance was costing employers 10% more per hour, per employee. When our body’s temperature drops, we expend energy keeping ourselves warm instead of coming up with new ideas.
• Lighting, both artificial and natural, can affect many aspects of work life, from productivity to mental health. Better artificial lighting leads to less eye strain, while it is well-documented that natural light works with our circadian rhythms making people happier and more motivated.
• Views to nature have been shown to increase happiness. In one analysis of a university building in Oregon, workers on the greenery-facing side took 19% fewer sick days. In fact, something as simple as having plants in the office has been shown to reduce stress and improve productivity by up to 15%.
• Noise is one of the top variables that leads to workplace dissatisfaction. Too much noise can make it difficult to focus, lead to additional stress and trigger high blood pressure. Managing noise is paramount to health and productivity. The right space layout and understanding of noise control solutions (like white noise and sound absorbing materials) can aid tremendously in reducing distractions

2) Ergonomics

• Poor ergonomics lead to frustrated and fatigued workers who don’t do their best. Ergonomic solutions that are designed to allow for good posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches make the workstation more efficient and can increase productivity up to 25%.
• Furniture options such as adjustable seating and sit-stand desks allow workers to select positions that are ideal for their bodies. Workers who alternate between sitting and standing have more energy and reduced levels of fatigue.

3) Space Layouts

• In order to promote collaboration and innovation, companies must foster environments that empower people with the right space to work based on the activity at hand.
• Activity-based workplaces that are tailored to the company and provide different types of spaces that complement the traditional open plan seating not only spark innovation, but also increase productivity and decrease distractions. Such spaces include meeting rooms for team collaboration, “phone booth” rooms to take private calls, informal meeting areas for more relaxed brainstorming and multi-purpose break areas to encourage “casual collisions” that lead to innovation.

4) Aesthetics

• Aesthetics deal with the nature and appreciation of beauty and taste. Though it can be subjective, it tends to induce enjoyment and delight. Some of the elements that impact aesthetics are color and art.
• The color of our environment can influence our moods and prompt different physiological reactions. Blue can be calming and aid in concentration, while yellow gets the creative juices flowing.
• Art has been shown to increase productivity by up to 14%.  It can be in many forms and can make a statement about the company and its values—which leads us to Brand Identity.

5) Brand Identity

• Attracting and retaining top talent is one the #1 issue facing CEOs, according to a 2019 Conference Board survey of 800 CEOs.
• Bland, unbranded workplaces leave employees uninspired and unengaged at work.
• Immersing your workforce in your brand story and vision, mission, and values enhances culture and performance while uniting your team under a shared sense of purpose.
• Organizations with higher employee engagement see 20% greater performance and outperform other companies by 202%.

We understand that these are difficult times in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope this information will help lead to healthier workplaces and better well-being when we can return to our offices and enjoy working together again. Our hearts go out to everyone effected by the Corona Virus. We know if we all support each other, we will make it through the night and into the light. Stay healthy!