There is no more questioning that good office design fosters well-being at work. Companies are intensely rethinking offices layouts to satisfy their employees. But what aspects of workplace design are most important for well-being?
Office layouts are changing. Most workspaces have no or few walls inside, office furniture is stylish, objects are smart and all professionals talk about ergonomics. That’s right: welcoming and comfortable offices are trendy. And for good reason. Office design is nearly unanimously mentioned as a factor in well-being, productivity and motivation at work (respectively 94%, 92% and 88% according to the 2015 Actineo/CSA French barometer). Another survey conducted by OpinionWay goes further: 79% of working-age adults says it drives employee engagement. Actually, employee-friendly workspaces such as Google’ are now known as an efficient way to engage, retain and attract employees.
That being said, buying the latest trendy chairs is not sufficient for a good workplace design. What aspects of workplace design are most important for well-being? Ergonomic office furniture such as sit stand adjustable desks improve physical comfort and work organization. Modular office layouts can optimize circulation and collaboration in the workplace. Traditional or personal acoustic solutions are a good way to regain concentration and focus level in open-plan workplaces. Last but not least: plants, natural light and air quality improve well-being and productivity on a day-to-day basis.
Many innovations in workplace design are developed to meet those needs. The Workspace Expo show held annually in Paris is a suitable place to discover the latest novelty. The 2017 edition held in March gathered more than 10.000 professionals, mostly heads of workplace environment, architects, HRs or buyers that care about well-being at work.