Psychology and science are paving way for workspaces that ace overall wellbeing
In today’s fast-paced world obsessed with outcome and returns, what would a potential employee look at before becoming a part of that subculture? Or rather, could there be something better for them in an organization that decides to go beyond just the obvious?
Pay, perks, and perceived image of the company are important but may not directly affect quality of life in the office. Some may even conceive these to be superficial but then again, everyone’s following it; to an extent that the ‘floor-them’ game has gone up by several notches. Expansive work areas, avant-garde technology and blinding colors and lights are already on the impressive credentials of most global organisations, if not all.
So, while the companies do acknowledge that the focus should be just as much on the employees as on its yearly targets, they’re yet to achieve the seemingly elusive – ideal workspace. The good part, however, is that the stakeholders are taking a step in the right direction; they do realise that the employees should feel good about going to work and spending major time in being away from home.
In light of the above, if employee centricity is so crucial then how can it be best encouraged? One key factor that sets the tone is the design and planning of the operational working zones. Learnings in the realm of social relationships, behavior patterns and neuroscience are leading to a greater understanding of our physical work areas. Considering that there are tools and subsequent research to support these studies, it makes us feel that never before there’s been a better intervention of design in an organizational setup.
You’ll be surprised to know how some of the unassuming design variations can exponentially bring about a positive change.
Distance between workers
There’s a definite relationship between organizational interaction and the seating between two or more employees. How far one has to walk from his/her desk to someone else’s workstation impacts the likelihood of interaction between them. Some studies indicate even peculiar thresholds – for instance, sitting 80-foot away from someone is more likely to reduce the possibility of a conversation than if the distance was lesser.
Noise reduction
As lucrative they might appear, open offices are more likely to perceive noise than those in cellular offices. Scientists have long focused on acoustics of a space but the submissions are now getting downright scientific. The perfect note is around 70 dB – loud enough to keep the creative energies flowing, and not so silent to make one feel trapped.
Desk design
Experts recommend that spending at least 30-40% time standing at work can greatly reduce back pain and obesity-related problems besides cultivating a more productive environment. It’s hence no surprise that some of the world’s best corporations are now issuing adjustable standing desks to their employees.
Tryst with Nature
Organisations have gone beyond the potted workspace theory and are focusing on more effective means of being one with our natural environs. One of them being the ambient lighting, which has been supplemented by many studies – the more we can replicate natural lighting the better it is for workers’ mood and morale.
It is tricky to pinpoint exactly what factors would sum up the quest for an ideal workplace but what is now certain is that environment – both physical and psychological – can be used as a business tool, to an effect that it holds the power to influence company’s larger vision.
Interior design is certainly the newest interdisciplinary field of science and without a doubt that it’s changing the way we work, interact and influence…one transformation at a time.
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