How to Increase Office Productivity
U.S. companies are often searching for methods to increase their employee’s productivity. Many of them sometimes underestimate the importance and influence that a good workplace design, and layout has on their employees, and consequently, on their profits.
Many offices believe that improving their design will lead to better overall performance, and many employees believe also that they can increase their performance. Including some of them might be able to extend their working hours or stay in a little longer just because a redesign of their workplace tends then to be happier.
However, many employers are thinking that re designing their office is too costly and don’t understand the overall results that they will get from a re design.
Some elements of design that you might want to improve are:
· Increase open spaces to allow better interaction within your employees.
· Maintain a working height at about elbow height. Increase the height for precision required work and decrease the height for use with heavy objects or where some kind of force is required.
· Supply and disposal areas should be accessible so workers do not have to twist their bodies.
· Reaching area will be no more than 30cm to the front of their body.
· Control areas should be at elbow height.
· Use or allow adjustable furniture, tables and raisers.
· Use lightweight furniture so working areas can be easily cleared.
· Lock devices or equipment that might become unstable.
· When provided, use furnishings or equipment with large wheels that can ease their movement.
· Design a storage area close to the work area
· Locate attachments and handles so people can easily assist themselves.
· Design doorways and corridors wide enough to accommodate mobile equipment.
· Install privacy curtains on large open spaces, so if necessary, privacy areas can be formed easily.
· Use floor at the same level, where people can move around and equipment can be easily transported from one side to the other.
· Use adjustable seats with swivel or rotating bases.
· Use ergonomic chairs to help backrest.
· Use or allow armrest and footrest.
· Purchase vehicle with enough headroom to accommodate variety of heights.
· Workstations should be adjustable to fit different people.
· Remove distractions and clutter from workplace.
· Insert ‘fun’ in the office, like music, art paintings, decoration that inspires the working environment.
Trying or implementing these items, will benefit your company and will produce a warm environment for all your employees.
