Important Ways an Office Renovation Benefits Your Employees (The Psychology of Workspace Design)

If you’re still wondering about carrying out an office renovation, you should definitely consider some of the indirect benefits of completing the project.
Well -designed offices are a must if you want a happy, productive and highly committed professional team. There’s more than one way in which an office upgrade impacts worker psychology. Bright, functional and clutter-free spaces have a direct effect on the way our brains work. This is why considering an office optimisation right now makes sense. Such a project will easily pay itself off in the form of a team that’s more ready to accomplish its goals.
Various studies confirm the link between office upgrades and improved employee state of mind. Here are some of the most important ways in which your team and your brand will benefit from the new office interior design.
The Link Between Productivity and an Office Renovation
You may find it difficult to believe but there are actual studies linking office design to maximised employee productivity.
The first big study on the topic was conducted in 1985 when workers were asked to complete extensive questionnaires before and after moving into a new work building. Researchers found out that by giving employees a workspace conductive of their tasks, employers easily increased productivity.
Numerous additional studies have focused on individual task performance (ITP) productivity, confirming that office enhancements contribute to faster and more accurate output on behalf of the individual worker.
And these conclusions are nothing but logical. As humans, we are heavily dependent on our environment for optimal performance. An office filled with distractions and clutter is going to impact cognitive performance and one’s ability to handle everyday responsibilities. A functional, well-organised office, on the other hand, is going to have the exact opposite effect.
Good Office Design Can Reduce Absenteeism
Absenteeism is a very big issue that both Singaporean companies and businesses across the world struggle with.
According to one study, Singapore’s financial losses due to employee absenteeism can reach 3.3 billion dollars by 2030. The research focused on a sample of 560 companies employing over 68,000 people. It found out that the average medical cost per employee could reach the shocking 1,973 dollars a year over the forecast period.
An aging population and a growing prevalence of chronic conditions will contribute to such serious issues for employers. Luckily, some of these negative effects can be negated through office interior design upgrades.
Encouraging wellbeing, health and activity at the workspace will have a sensible effect on health. Many companies are focusing on upgrades like office gyms, meditation and massage rooms. Such wellness facilities are much-needed in a world that’s becoming increasingly plagued with chronic medical problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Prioritising the wellbeing of your workers will pay off in time. This is why you need to view the office as much more than a workspace. Turning it into a balanced, healthy environment is the only way forward.
Higher Levels of Engagement
Disengaged employees are as productive as absent ones.
Employee engagement refers to the commitment and the loyalty that workers feel towards their employer. People who aren’t fully-committed will underperform and they’ll exit the organisation at the first opportunity.
This is why many businesses are desperately seeking ways to increase engagement as much as possible. Perks, higher payments and social bonuses are always effective. The same applies to a clean, modern and balanced office environment.
2020 statistics suggest that staff engagement in Singapore is below global averages. In one poll, 20 per cent of questioned workers said that they’d intended to quit their current job in less than a year. That’s one in every five workers!
One of the biggest causes of disengagement is employees feeling that the company doesn’t care about their input or wellbeing. It’s easy to see how office improvements can address the issue (at least to some extent).
Relaxation corners, a modern office kitchen and functional zones can all create a workspace that people will love going to. The same applies to bringing a cosy, homely feel to the corporate venue. There are many ways in which office interior design can make workers more engaged. What matters is initiating such change to show that wellbeing and happiness are primary concerns for the employer.
Higher Levels of Happiness
Ultimately, it all boils down to happiness.
A colourful, fun office that offers various lifestyle perks is exciting to spend time in.
Such an office allows people to interact with each other effortlessly and build meaningful connections. It also provides opportunities to slow down, relax or brainstorm in a creative environment. When people are guaranteed stellar workspace conditions, they’d be more than happy to spend more time and the office.
The good news is that such happiness-inducing upgrades aren’t necessarily expensive or extensive.
Something as simple as a colour change and the introduction of plants to the office can instantly transform that corporate venue. And dedicating one room to relaxation or exercise isn’t that difficult either.
What matters is understanding the potential of the current space and “unlocking” all these possibilities.
To do so, you’ll need to partner up with the right office interior design team.
SORDC is one such team that understands businesses, different industries and their workspace needs. We always strive to ensure personalised, highly effective solutions that deliver a complete transformation at a reasonable price.
Contact SORDC today if you’re ready to transform your commercial venue and turn it into the ultimate modern workspace for your team.