If a simple “hello” to a stranger can make their day, imagine the impact some small changes can have on your office. Adding a kitchen with snacks can lead to less employee stress. Access to a gym can let employees blow off some steam, stay healthy, and work more efficiently. If you think it’s time for some changes around your office to boost productivity, here are a few suggestions. 

1. Break Rooms

It is difficult for people to concentrate and work for eight hours without any break. Hence, a modern workplace must have a place for staff to visit for resting, snacking, and conversing with colleagues. When designing a break room for your office, ensure to implement design elements that aid your staff to relax. Break rooms need to assist your team members in taking a mental pause for them to relax and maintain focus on their work. A relaxing break room can have cozy sofas, bright colors, and snacks on the table. 

2. Air and Water Quality

Bad quality of air is awful for productivity, in addition to being bad for health. Poor air quality can result from poor ventilation in the office and can lead to symptoms such as coughing, headaches, fatigue, and more. Research also reveals that high Co2 levels between 2,500ppm and 1,000ppm reduce utilization of information, increase absenteeism rates, and reduce performance by 10 percent. So, maintain air quality through the installation of a quality system of ventilation as well as opening windows to allow for fresh air.

Water is as essential as air. Hence, as you ensure excellent air quality, be sure to provide clean water for your employees. You can do this by installing 3m water filters, or setting up filtered water stations. Most water fountains now come with options to add a water station. Employees love this, because it allows them to fill up their bottles with fresh, clean water and take it back to their desk.

3. Company Culture

Company culture is the backbone of the office environment. It works to make sure that there is a productive and positive office atmosphere. Many global startups are popular for the excellent company cultures that motivate people to want to work for them. Therefore, they have a high rate of staff retention. A powerful culture is seen when all employees appear to have a common element, appear to be on the same team, and function as one.

4. Entertainment Room

Employees who have lots of fun at their jobs are more productive than those who don't. Being entertained builds a more robust commitment, aids the staff to clear their minds and relax, and enhances productivity. Companies such as Yahoo, Google, and Facebook are popular for their employee entertainment zones. You will find entertainment zones with video games, others with slides, and more. 

5. Digital Screens to Track Team Performance

Transparency in the workplace is vital for motivation, productivity, and commitment of your employees. Team spirit is boosted through knowing what is done by other members of the team, their due process, and the direction the company is headed. When you show the performance of the various departments on the screens, it will enable healthy competition between teams and team members.

6. Gym

Various firms provide their staff members with on-site gyms and physical fitness programs. This is because physical fitness is essential to the productivity and health of employees. According to research, physical fitness boosts concentration, improves creativity, and more. If you don’t have a gym, you can have a room in the office for stretching and performing other physical activities. You can also get into a deal with the local fitness center so that your staff can work out for free.

7. Healthy Snacks

People like free snacks. Research revealed that companies that offer free food have happier staff members than companies that don’t. Research has also shown that companies save $3.27 in medical expenses per $1 spent on staff health programs. Providing healthy snacks assists your employees to remain healthy.

Additionally, healthy snacks maintain the productivity of the employees. A study by Harvard Business Review proved that employee performance is significantly affected by what employees eat. Some healthy snacks include bananas, blueberries, nuts, and dark chocolate. 

Conclusion

The performance of your employees is heavily dependent on their work environment. An excellent work environment will enhance optimal productivity and performance. These seven small details will enable such an office environment.