In recent years, the topic of workplace design has garnered attention as a heretofore overlooked way to enhance a workforce’s productivity. Open spaces, common areas, lighting, acoustics and thermal comfort are all part of modern office design, and all intended to enhance worker satisfaction with their environment and improve interactions to increase productivity.
More importantly, workplace design can have an impact on employee safety and health, and that, too, impacts productivity. “Design” also includes workplace policies that promote how office architecture and layout can optimize performance.
“A recent study by the World Green Building Council found overwhelming evidence that office design significantly impacts the health, well-being and productivity of staff,” says Dr. Michael Parkinson, senior medical director of UPMC Health Plan. “You can make a business case for designing and building a healthier environment for employees.”
Smart Business spoke with Parkinson about how office design impacts employee health and productivity.
How does the work environment impact the health and productivity of workers?
Work demands change over time and work environments change along with it. As employees become more sedentary and spend more time in front of a computer, and inside a cubicle, our health will predictably decline. Designing in increased activity, movement and interaction are critical.
Sometimes, what’s needed can be something as basic as a new chair. Also, think about providing a standing ‘swing activity’ workstation so that, on occasion, people can conduct business standing up, rather than having to sit all day. Some companies have introduced regular stretch breaks, brief exercise sessions and even ‘recess’ into work periods to improve cognitive functions.
What design factors impact a workplace?
A number of factors can impact employee well-being and productivity. For instance, the World Green Building Council report cited indoor air quality, which includes increased ventilation, as being capable of improving productivity from 8 to 11 percent. Other factors include thermal comfort, more exposure to sunlight, views of nature, noise and acoustics, and interior layout.
The report also recommended an active design, which includes design guidelines that promote physical activity, as well as access to services and amenities like gyms, bicycle storage and green space to help encourage healthier lifestyles of the building’s occupants.
Design that enables employees to feel more in control of their environment is a big factor. Being in control of temperature can make an employee happier, while also saving energy. Design that maximizes daylight and increases access to windows can reduce the need for electric energy, while increasing productivity and improving sleep patterns.
A building that is uncomfortable, distracting, hazardous or noxious can reduce productivity.
How important is lighting?
A 1997 study showed that while lighting doesn’t directly affect performance, good lighting can enhance the ability of employees to see details clearly and increased visibility has the ability to increase output.
A 1983 study found that low levels of light were connected to low levels of work and social satisfaction among workers. Because office cubicles can block needed light, it is possible that workers could not be exposed to daylight for an entire work cycle.
And we’re ‘hard-wired’ for natural light. In fact, in Europe, all office workers must have exposure to windows. A 2003 study in Sacramento, California, found that employees with the best views were more productive and more likely to describe themselves as healthy and less likely to describe themselves as fatigued.
How important is exposure to noise?
The U.S. General Services Administration has identified office acoustics as a key contributor to work performance and well-being. To achieve acoustical comfort, the workplace must provide appropriate acoustical support for interaction, confidentiality and concentrative work.
Workplace design must allow people to come together without disturbing others, and create quiet areas that are apart from centralized noisy spaces.
Insights Health Care is brought to you by UPMC Health Plan
