Psychology of a Happy Office
As winter descends what is the secret of a happy office? Amanda Godwin-Jones, Head of Design for office interior design experts Peldon Rose, discusses the psychology of productivity and motivation in the workplace, providing tips to help create a happy office.
To help you survive the winter, a happy positive office is imperative. As the clocks have changed, the nights will begin to draw in and sunshine becomes a distant memory, it becomes ever more important to keep the energy flowing in the office. It's all too easy for productivity and motivation to become impacted by the seasonally adjusted issues of a cold, dark, damp commute, leaden skies and winter malaise.
A happy office doesn't necessarily mean more holidays, bonuses or table tennis tables. A combination of empowerment, rewards and personal fulfilment demonstrate companies nurture and value their staff. Companies need to go that extra mile to make people feel at home in their work environment where they can thrive and socialise too. It's essential to interrogate how each office can generate and maximise space, lighting, soft features and sociability to create an environment that promotes a positive energy across every square metre.
The key factors to a happy office include:
Trust
Provide varied work spaces and break-out areas to choose from according to the work your staff are doing. Providing the technology they need to work from these areas is also imperative - new technology has helped bring about an era of trust and freed people from their desks which businesses must embrace. JustGiving and Essence are great recent examples of this.
Friendships
It's important that people don't feel isolated in the office, so companies must consider communication and collaboration in their office design. There shouldn't be any zones within the office which are separated or isolated from everywhere else. The space needs to consider everyone, both extroverts and introverts, but facilitating and encouraging face to face contact wherever possible.
Rewards
Naturally, people want to feel appreciated by the company. A great way of doing this is giving them the services and facilities they'd have at home - bananas, biscuits, somewhere to make fresh meals, somewhere to relax and find some peace and quiet, and somewhere to support wellbeing (such as showers and bike storage). Leveraging homes comforts help staff bond and positively connect.
Ergonomics & wellbeing
Looking after people's wellbeing promotes happiness. Sit-stand desks and standing meeting tables get people off their feet and breaks the monotony of sitting down all day. Also consider facilities which encourage people to be fitter, be that yoga classes, Pilates, gym memberships or a lunchtime running club.
Atmosphere
Companies rarely use their office space efficiently or effectively. Don't give everyone a desk if they're hardly in the office - it'll create virtual ghettos for the few people who are left behind. Instead, create shared working zones with hot desks and agile working areas so no matter who's in the office, there'll always be people around so no one feels alone or isolated.
Experience
Amanda Godwin-Jones is Head of Design for office interior design experts Peldon Rose. The company has been delivering London office refurbishment and relocation projects for almost thirty years of between 2,000 and over 200,000 sq ft. They employ over 70 staff and are based in Wimbledon. For more information visit their website.
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