December 2015

It’s not unusual for employees to spend more of their waking hours at their workplace than at home. Companies, therefore, are placing employee well-being at the heart of business strategy and designing their interiors to be work-friendly. The goal: to create a work environment that’s both more comfortable for employees and more conducive to productivity.

Creating an office that works for your employees doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Even the smallest changes, such as good lighting and furniture that offers proper support, show that you value your staff. And you’re likely to see the payoff in how they perform their jobs.

Lighting

According to the American Society of Interior Designers, at least 68% of employees are dissatisfied with the lighting in their office. Light levels in offices often are static, not powerful enough, and not tuned to the correct color of light for task optimization. This can cause eyestrain and headaches. It can also lead to drowsiness and fatigue.

On the other hand, a well-lit office has many benefits:

• It improves comfort – Well-lit offices are easier to work in and increase employee comfort by 15%.
• It enhances employee mood and job satisfaction – Quality lighting can help enhance the mood and job satisfaction of employees substantially—upwards of 20%.
• It reduces fatigue and headaches – A study published in Lighting Research & Technology found that employees in offices with high-frequency lighting (with reduced pulsing) experienced half the number of headaches as compared to those in offices with typical fluorescent lights.

Source: Eden Springs

Given these benefits, you may want to invest in energy-efficient lighting options like those from Innovatix contracted supplier Custom LED.

Furniture

Office layout and furniture, often an afterthought, can actually provide a handsome return on investment and, in some cases, stimulate business growth.

According to business2community.com, an insurance company achieved $6,200,000 in improved productivity after investing $500,000 in ergonomic furnishings—a 1,200% ROI. Additionally, within two months of moving into a new building with an open office concept, 60% of employees believed that productivity had improved and 80% had a higher level of customer focus.

Ergonomic spaces and furniture improve productivity by promoting good posture, less exertion, fewer repetitive motions, and better heights and reaches. By systematically reducing ergonomic risk factors, you also may prevent costly musculoskeletal disorders. Approximately $1 out of every $3 in workers’ compensation costs is attributed to musculoskeletal disorders. In addition to a more efficient workstation, specific benefits include:

• Improved productivity – Ergonomic improvements can increase productivity 10% to 15%. Studies have demonstrated as much as a 25% increase in output at computer workstations when employees are both sufficiently trained in using their software and have ergonomic furniture.
• Increased employee engagement – Employees notice when the company makes an effort to ensure their health and safety. Keeping employees free from discomfort during their workday can reduce turnover, decrease absences, improve morale, and raise employee involvement.
• A better safety culture – Addressing ergonomics demonstrates your company’s commitment to making safety and health a core value. Healthy employees are a valuable asset. Creating and fostering a culture of safety and health at your company can lead to better performance for your organization.

In addition to ergonomic furniture, Innovatix’s contracted suppliers Haworth, Krueger International, Interior Resources, Montel, Herman Miller, Neocase, and Allseating can provide your office with architectural walls, systems, casegoods, adjustable desking systems, conference tables, task chairs, lounge seating, lobby benches, filing cabinets, and more.

A better work environment creates a win-win scenario. After all, healthier, happier employees produce more and cost less—just the scenario you want for your bottom line.

Innovatix Office Furniture and Lighting Suppliers

Lighting

Office Furniture