3 Ways an Office Redesign Can Re-Engage Employees
Did you know actively disengaged employees cost companies $450 billion to $550 billion in lost productivity each year in the United States alone? Yikes!
Rather than simply showing disengaged employees the door, management teams should consider what they can do differently to reinvigorate the workforce. To some business leaders, this translates to offering additional benefits such as more paid time off or wellness programs.
But rather than focus on an employee’s life outside the office, managers should recognize what changes can be made to the workplace itself that will encourage their workforce to feel more connected to the company.
In this post, we’ll discuss three ways an office redesign can help an organization re-engage its employees. Plus, we’ll show you how your business can get started on a redesign today.
1. Promote a Sense of Ownership
Before you begin the redesign process, ask your employees for their feedback. Create a survey or public Google document and let everyone provide suggestions. Allowing the workforce to share their thoughts about how the workplace should be designed will encourage a sense of ownership. Plus, it gives team members the chance to showcase their creative side.
You won’t be able to fulfill every request, but your employees will appreciate the opportunity to voice their opinion and will likely feel more connected to the organization.
2. Encourage Movement and Activity
Sitting all day isn’t just boring, it’s actually bad for your health. Your employees need opportunities to escape their desks from time to time. Or, at the very least, they should be able to choose whether they sit, stand or recline at their workstations.
With an office redesign, businesses can make asset and space management decisions that give employees the chance to be more active, feel less bored and, in turn, improve their productivity and engagement.
3. Let Employees Choose Their Workspace
Some team members work better in open floor plans while some employees prefer a more insulated space. If your workplace doesn’t have sufficient collaborative or quiet areas, it could be the reason for low engagement.
Again, ask your employees what they think. You may find only small changes are needed—for example, one or two informal meeting areas or quiet spaces—or you may discover the entire workforce hates the current office setup. Either way, once your employees are given the option to choose their preferred workspace, engagement will certainly improve.
How to Get Started With Your Office Redesign
Ready to redesign your office? Here are five tips to help you get started.
- Find out what’s working and what’s not. Observe the daily workings of your office and analyze your workplace data to find the strengths and weaknesses of your current design.
- Consider your environment. What kind of workplace environment are you looking to create? Think carefully about what your current office design says about your business and what you want it to say in the future.
- Gather employee feedback. While you certainly won’t be able to please everyone, take the time to ask employees what they want.
- Do your research. Learn how different office styles affect productivity and employee morale so you can make the right decisions.
- Consider getting professional advice. Bringing in a designer can give you the benefit of a professional eye and help you explore all of your options.
Even if you have to start small, redesigning your office can have a big impact on employee engagement. Your workforce will appreciate the steps you take to make their workplace more dynamic and enjoyable.
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