The Art of The Workplace Environment

To some millennials, money isn’t the only factor on why they decide to leave a company. Workplace environment has a huge impact on an employee’s lifestyle. When you think of workplace environment, there are two different components: physical and cultural. Both are equally important to creating a positive working environment that not only attracts employees but also retains great employees. Let’s dive into how to create the various aspects of the workplace environment and how to set your employees up for success!

Physical

The physical workplace environment is what we can detect with our senses- see, touch, hear, smell and taste. All physical aspects affect the productivity and attentiveness of employees. Is the volume too loud on the music speakers? How is the lighting in the office? Is the temperature appropriate for a productive work experience? An employee spends one-third of his or her life working, so why not make it a place he or she wants to come to. Companies are becoming increasingly aware of the positive effects of shaping the work environment and are investing more in employee spaces.

The layout of a company is very important for productivity. Some individuals function better independently, while others work better in a collaborative open space. Analyzing employee needs is crucial for discovering which avenue works best for a company. Making sure there are various work settings in your office allows each employee to select the working style that is most effective for them. Greenery and plant life are becoming a huge trend in the workplace. Having fresh air, windows and light can increase productivity and lower absence rates.

Believe it or not, the surfaces of a building, especially décor and colors schemes, can affect how an employee performs. Blues tend to make employees feel relaxed, while yellows can empower employees. When it comes to décor, placing positive quotes or abstract art can affect the mood positively of employees. Included amenities are becoming very popular in today’s society. Having an on-site gym or comfortable chairs and lounges are physical components of a workplace environment that can stimulate employees.

Cultural

When an employee seeks and joins a company, he or she tends to have the same aligned values and beliefs as their new employer. These values and believes are a part of the company’s culture. Culture can be hard to define because there are so many components to it. Generally speaking, culture can be thought of as the mindset a company has towards their overall operation.  This can include the “vibe” of the place, the way coworkers speak to one another, management style, process by which tasks are completed, degree of autonomy, formalness of dress, and overall atmosphere. It can be also difficult to understand a company’s cultural work environment until integrated into every day processes. From personal experience, the two most common sayings I have heard from employees regarding a company’s culture are, “I think it is great,” or “It needs to change.”

There are several aspects that can shape a workplace cultural environment. To name a few:

• Hiring new employees with a positive mindset and who want to make a difference. Simply putting it, having one sour employee can make the office atmosphere very unappealing.
• Executing company mission and vision statements. Not only leadership, but all employees should exemplify why they work there. For example, if a company believes in customer commitment, they should have a protocol to assess and fix all customer inquiries in a timely manner.
• Recognizing colleagues. Saying “Great job!” or “I know how much hard work you put in this, and I really appreciate it,” goes a long way.
• Having fun. Putting together a company recreational team to play on a sports team is an active and healthy way to get involved. Some employees tend to focus only on work during working hours then engage differently outside of work.

Overall, the physical and cultural workplace environment are two different but equally crucial components for employee satisfaction. They both play a role in employee productivity and work habits. Whether you are an employee or employer, reflect and evaluate your work environment. Whether you create a softball league or ask your coworkers to grab a bite to eat, more often everyone can contribute to a positive work environment.