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7 Key Elements to Create a Safe & Comfortable Workspace
It's no secret that employee safety and comfort are at the forefront of every modern business. Yet, many business owners don't spend too much time thinking about this. The good news is that even the most basic changes can have a huge impact on the overall environment of your workplace. Let's go over 7 key elements I suggest you implement to create a safe and comfortable workspace. ■ Increase your employee satisfaction: Optimize your office space with these steps 1. Proper Indoor Air Quality Control Proper air quality inside the office is crucial to employee health. I've seen how poor air quality can cause a variety of issues: headaches, fatigue, and in rare cases, even respiratory issues. To maintain proper air quality, I regularly check the ventilation system and replace any old filters or air conditioners. 2. Well-Lit Workspaces It may seem simple, but making sure my workspace is well-lit can have a big impact on the overall productivity of my employees. I always try to have natural light (it's the best for visual comfort), but if that isn't available, I insist on adequate artificial lighting. 3. Active Noise Reduction Too much noise in the workplace can cause distractions and reduce focus. Consider investing in soundproof walls, modular dividers, or cubicles. I've found this helps to reduce the noise levels in collaborative spaces and makes it easier for employees to concentrate. ■ Noise reduction should be part of your meeting room etiquette 4. Diverse Working Spaces Creating a workspace with diverse working spaces is essential to keep employees engaged and productive. Once I realized that different employees have different needs, it was easy to provide different types of workspaces: private offices, collaborative areas, and even lounge spaces for employees to work in. ■ Learn how flexible workspaces contribute to employee happiness 5. Routine Preventative Maintenance Preventative maintenance is a must when it comes to safety. Don't let regular inspections of electrical appliances, HVAC systems, and fire safety equipment fall through the cracks. 6. Ergonomic Equipment & Furniture Increase comfort with the right furniture and equipment. Since I invested in adjustable chairs, desks, and keyboards, the physical strain on my employees reduced while their productivity and long-term satisfaction increased. 7. Temperature Control Finally, make sure your workspace has adequate air conditioning and cooling to keep employees comfortable. I've had office setups that were either too cold or too hot—the effect is detrimental to productivity, leading to a lower rate of employee satisfaction. ■ Worried about productivity? Manage your office to increase employee productivity Give a Little to Get a Lot Creating a safe and comfortable workplace is essential for any business. Following the key elements I've outlined here can help ensure your employees are working in a healthy and productive environment.
Asked 10 months ago
Proximity Bias in the Workplace: What It Is & How to Prevent It
While proximity bias isn't new, the remote working landscape post-pandemic has made it more prevalent. Proximity bias describes the tendency of colleagues and managers to work more closely with people who are physically nearby, possibly neglecting those that work remotely. It contributes to the stigma that remote work is less productive, leading remote workers to feel pressured to come into the office and experience prejudice when other employees are hired or promoted. However, according to Hubstaff's research, remote workers can be more productive than office-based workers by 13%-35%. Influencing factors include a quiet and less distracting home environment, while the flexibility of remote working reduces stress and improves mental health. Tips to Prevent Proximity Bias With so many companies employing remote workers or permanently implementing hybrid models, it's essential to mitigate any proximity bias in the workplace to prevent instances of favoritism, inequality, and unhappy employees. Consider applying the following prevention measures: Create awareness The first step is to identify any instances of proximity bias. Start a conversation with employees to learn of any occurrences where it happened.Communicate inclusively Any communication to employees must be inclusive and accessible. Ensure all important verbal communication is followed up by a written version to include employees who weren't physically present. Implement technological solutions Find and implement software that enhances remote or hybrid working models and allows for functional, collaborative working (e.g., video conferencing, instant messaging platforms, cloud-based software).Prioritize employee well-being Regularly check in with all employees to monitor their progress and discuss any challenges they're facing.Evaluate performance fairly Establish a merit system that's objective and quantifiable, thereby creating a culture of trust and transparency. Bottom Line Proximity bias can become a big problem in the workplace, turning the environment toxic. By addressing and preventing proximity bias, employee satisfaction, loyalty, and productivity can increase even more. ■ Let POC System help you manage proximity bias by optimizing your office space
Asked a year ago
Hot Desking vs. Hoteling: 3 Key Differences You Should Consider
Hoteling and hot desking are two popular ways to save office space, especially in the hybrid working model. Both methods move away from the assigned seating approach of a traditional workplace, opting to rely on desk availability instead. While these terms are often used interchangeably, it's important to understand the difference so you can implement the method best suited to your organization. 1. Accessibility Hot desking has high accessibility because it works on a first-come-first-serve basis and allows people to sit at any available desk. Hoteling is less accessible. It requires employees to reserve a desk in advance, usually through hoteling software. 2. Flexibility Hot desking offers great flexibility. The freedom to choose any seat means that employees from different departments or industries can sit together and collaborate. This is especially relevant in coworking spaces. Hoteling can be limiting because employees have access to the space they've booked only. They must stick to the schedule and can't move to another unoccupied space to join a colleague. 3. Urgency Hot desking can provide workspace on short notice—provided all the desks aren't full when employees arrive. While hoteling guarantees an employee a workstation (if they've booked in advance), it doesn't lend itself toward impromptu meetings or emergencies. ■ What are hot desking best practices? Here's how to optimize hot desking for employee satisfaction Automate Your Seating Processes with POC System Although hot desking and hoteling are very similar, their main difference is how employees can access workstations. Whether you want to give your employees the freedom to choose their desks or if you want a more structured system, consider automating this process. POC System's electronic seating booking system can be accessed by employees directly and will automatically update while capturing and analyzing usage data. ■ Want to try the seating allocation app for yourself? Request a demo
Asked a year ago
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