Your work environment impacts your mood, drive and performance. If \nemployees work in a dreary office setting with unfriendly workers, they \nlikely won’t feel motivated or confident to speak up. That’s why \ncreating a productive work environment is critical to the overall \nsuccess of your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are four ways you can improve your work environment and, in turn, employee engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smart businesses know that a good work environment starts with hiring\n the right people. Make sure employees are professional and team \nplayers. The same idea translates to those who are already in the \noffice. When employees work with toxic workers, they are more likely to \nbecome toxic themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s amazing to watch one bad attitude affect everyone’s daily performance,” said Claire Marshall Crowell, chief operating officer of\u00a0A. Marshall Family Foods\/Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. “I can’t tell you how many times I have been thanked after letting poisonous employees go. Though it’s a hard thing to do, it ultimately impacts the working environment, which can be felt by not only our employees but also by our [customers].”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lighting plays a vital role in workers’ performance and attitude. An article by MBA@UNC, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler’s online MBA program, states that exposure to natural light improves mood and energy, greatly impacting focus and productivity. But according to a survey by Pots Planters and More, nearly half of office workers said there is little to no natural light in their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it’s not possible to incorporate natural lighting through windows,\n there are other options. Blue-enriched light bulbs may reduce fatigue \nand increase happiness and work performance, according to the article. \nUse this type of lighting in brainstorming rooms. In meeting or break \nrooms, use warmer tones to promote calmness and relaxation. In \nconference rooms, use middle tones that welcome workers while keeping \nthem alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working in a clean, attractive office can have tremendous effects on co-workers and manager relationships, said Mike Canarelli, CEO and co-founder of\u00a0Web Talent Marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Even if the sun can’t shine into your workplace, make an effort to \nprovide a relaxing atmosphere with comfy furniture, working equipment \nand a few ‘extra-mile’ amenities,” he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, give your employees the flexibility to choose to work \nwhere they’re comfortable, including comfy chairs or a choice of whether\n to sit or stand at their desks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Pots Planters & More survey, people who labeled \ntheir work furniture as “bad” are three times more likely to consider \ntheir environment as less productive, and two times more likely to find \nit “depressing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Make it easy for [workers] to purchase things like exercise balls and plants on the company dime,” said AJ Shankar, CEO and founder of litigation software company\u00a0Everlaw. “We also trust our employees to manage their own time. They’re free to take breaks to play games or just recharge as necessary.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When employees choose a space that makes them comfortable, give them the freedom to customize their area, as everyone works differently, said Josh Turner, CEO of\u00a0user feedback platform UsersThink. He suggested getting rid of the “same-issued everything” and giving everyone a budget\u00a0to customize their own setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be cognizant of how you’re interacting with employees. Team members \nand upper management should focus on their communication methods and the\n effects they have on the office environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Employees are motivated and feel valued when they’re given positive reinforcement and shown how their work contributes to the success of the business,” said Dominique Jones,\u00a0former chief people officer at\u00a0Halogen Software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means offering employees specific feedback on how their work is feeding into the broader business objectives, she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But employees shouldn’t be the only ones being evaluated. Managers should be open to feedback as well, said Samantha Lambert, director of human resources at\u00a0Blue Fountain Media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When you involve your staff in decision-making in an effort to \ncreate a better work environment, they feel valued,” Lambert said. \n“Don’t be afraid to ask employees for their opinion on a new benefit \noffered, or what they think of a new client project.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you’re working on communication, don’t forget to show gratitude for hard work. According to David Sturt, executive vice president of marketing and business development at the\u00a0O.C. Tanner Institute, effective employee\u00a0recognition can transform and elevate an organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It ignites enthusiasm, increases innovation, builds trust and drives\n bottom-line results,” he said. “Even a simple ‘thank you’ after an \nemployee goes above and beyond on a project, or puts in a series of late\n nights, goes a long way.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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