(BPT) - Often success in business is determined by one key factor, employee productivity. Which is why so many executives took notice of a recent study from Oxford University that found happy workers are 13% more productive than those found to be unhappy. But what are employees looking for, and are there practical and cost-effective solutions to boost their in-office satisfaction? Below are two easy ways some companies are doing just that.
Problem #1: The myth that you are more productive when working alone …
… is widespread, but research suggests otherwise. Stanford University found that employees were 50% more effective at completing tasks when they worked in a collaborative setting than those who worked alone.
Solution: Foster spontaneous collaboration.
So how do you get employees to work together? For one, getting them to stay in the office improves productivity and addresses what 87% of employees say they want: the ability to collaborate with team members and build relationships. However, it's not more meetings on the calendar they're looking for, it's organic connections that can only be built by spending time together in office workspaces and breakrooms.
How? Keep them in the office with excellent amenities and perks.
A 2019 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) shared that 60% of employees considered on-site food and beverage to be an important workplace benefit. That is, when they like the options available.
Low-quality hot coffee is unlikely to entice more workers into the breakroom, especially since 60% of Gen Z coffee drinkers prefer their coffee cold. But rather than leaving for 30-60 minutes to seek out a café to get their cold brew coffee fix, employees can be enticed to spend that time collaborating with co-workers in the company breakroom if the right offerings are present. In fact, analysis from Harvard Business Review shows cross-department collaboration increases by 36% when employees from different teams eat or drink together.
One innovative option many offices are turning to is Java House's new Peel & Pour Pods. They offer convenient, barista-quality coffee in a wide variety of roasts and styles, from multiple iced coffee options to lattes, hot cocoa and even tea. And while this is an authentically cold brewed coffee product, it can also be enjoyed hot!
Problem #2: Workers don't want to sit at a desk all day …
… so they shouldn't have to. Humanscale conducted a survey in 2023 to understand where people work: in an office, at home or a third place. Respondents shared they worked in over 50 "third spaces," and a staggering 98.7% indicated they worked in more than one location within their homes.
Solution: Make workspaces varied and comfortable.
Workers want to have options on where they work in the office. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ergonomics can help increase productivity while reducing the risk of muscle fatigue and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Wherever employees choose to work in-office, they should be comfortable.
How? Ergonomics everywhere.
The average American spends roughly 55% of their waking hours in a seated position. Some employers are investing in employees' health and comfort by providing ergonomic support throughout the office. Humanscale's Meeting Collection, for example, blends its pioneering self-adjusting seating mechanics across a range of chairs, from the boardroom to the bar top. And, when employees choose desks, having the option to stand can provide additional health benefits and further improve productivity.
Conclusion: Invest in your office and your employees.
Comfortable workspaces with quality amenities show employees you care about their well-being. Investing in the space, tools and fuel that bring teams together isn't just good for employees, it's good for business.