A Guest Post by Jamie Costello

A positive working environment means a positive and motivated team. In order for your business to succeed you need to make sure your staff are healthy, happy and ready for the day of work ahead. If you find that your team are looking tired and irritable then it might be time to change a few things. Here are some changes that you can make to your place of work to improve the overall well being of your workforce.

Healthy Eating Options

Take charge of the cafe menu so you can guarantee that your workers are getting the required fuel they need with healthy food choices. You could also provide a free breakfast bar in the morning, just in case there’s that one member of the team who’s morning was just a bit too manic. If your staff are eating well they’ll get the energy they need to stay alert. Relaxation and break out rooms are also ideal so that staff can get away from their desk and indulge in a different kind of scenery.

Breathe of Fresh Air

The majority of reasons why staff members call in sick is due to catching the flu. Poor air quality in the workplace can contribute to less productivity and bigger chances of germs spreading. Your standard procedure can be to put in place industrial ventilation systems that can help to purify the air and make them cleaner. Alternatively, there are more natural methods like placing plants around the office to absorb carbon dioxide and oxygen. This’ll promote good health for your employees and prevent a build-up of germs that can lead to sore throats and skin irritation.

Drop A Splash Of Colour

Provide a creative and fresh environment for your workers to help settle moods and get them in the correct state of mind. Adding colour to a room can contribute to how your staff members work. For example, yellow is known to help creativeness, green can promote calmness whilst blue can help individuals to remain focused. You can also put features into your office that gives your staff a place to go to chill and relax.

Jazz Up The Furniture

In an office environment, sitting for long periods of the day can be extremely detrimental to your workers’ health in the future. It can also contribute to stiffness, back problems and issues with muscles. Purchase furniture that can encourage your staff to get up and moving. Provide adjustable chairs and desks, back supports, footrests and any other form of furniture that makes them feel at ease so they can focus and maintain energy.

Communication Is Key

If there’s one thing that workers enjoy it’s being able to communicate their views and opinions. Provide a space which allows your workers to provide feedback and suggestions so they feel more motivated to conduct their work. Being a collaborative unit also means there’s less chance of disagreements and building up a hostile working environment. Your environment should reflect the brand values of your company so consider your staff when you come to create the brief.

Positive well-being is key to promoting productivity and can make or break how your business performs. Be sure to take the right steps so that everyone remains happy and healthy. Doing your bit as the boss is sure to do just that.

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Also published on Medium.