Have you considered that your office design and layout could be making your employees sick?

Happy and healthy employees are motivated and productive employees, so it’s in your business’ best interest to look after its staff.

Here are four ways that your office design could be having a negative effect on employee health.

Ergonomics– Employees spend most of their working week sat at their desks, so it’s essential that they feel comfortable there. Ergonomics is the science of creating a comfortable and healthy workstation. Failing to consider ergonomics when designing desks and workspaces can result in demotivated and unhappy employees suffering from aches, pains, and fatigue.

Lack of ventilation– Did you know that indoor air can be up to 50% more polluted than outdoor air? Not providing adequate ventilation in the workplace can result in a build-up of pollutants and allergens and provide the right conditions for mould to grow. Poor air quality can worsen existing health conditions like asthma, allergies, and strokes. Working in stuffy, unventilated spaces also causes fatigue, which can have a negative effect on employee concentration and productivity.

Lack of natural light– Getting plenty of natural light is important to our circadian rhythm, which plays a vital part in getting a good night’s rest. The amount of natural light you get in a day can also affect your mood, with low levels of natural light causing us to feel fatigued and low. Maximise natural light in your office for a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce. If you work in a windowless office, it is more important than ever to ensure that your artificial lights are the right brightness. It may also be worth investing in lighting with bulbs that mimic natural daylight.

Stress– Is your office layout causing your employees stress? Open plan offices have both their advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage is excessive noise, which can cause employees to become distracted and stressed out. Ensure that your office design is suitable for the type of people you employ and the work they are carrying out. If you do have an open plan office, make sure that there are spaces that employees can retreat to if they need some quiet time to concentrate on a task.

For help designing an office environment that not only looks great, but fosters healthy, happy, and productive employees too, give our team here at Millennium Interiors a call on 01942 603 344.