In what place do we spend as much time every day as at work?
Hardly anywhere
For this reason, workplace design plays an important role. Even small things help to increase efficiency and the feel-good factor – or vice versa, even small mistakes can have a very negative effect.
We will show you which 7 serious mistakes are often made when planning and furnishing offices and how you can avoid them.
7 mistakes to avoid when planning your office
Open space is the magic word when you ask about the possibility of setting up workplaces for as many employees as possible in a small area. In order for the cooperation to be optimally successful, however, the basic rules of the concept should be observed. Otherwise, the motivation and work performance of your employees will quickly suffer.
Mistake 1: Not involving employees
Inform and integrate your employees in the forthcoming office planning at an early stage. All employees must be given the opportunity to express their wishes and needs, because changing your working environment is a serious turning point.
The more positively each individual department and each individual employee is attuned, the more successful the phase after implementation will be.
Mistake 2: Don’t leave any «open» space
Employees and departments should approach team and project work with motivation, inspire and strengthen each other. This means that there is a need for communal, communicative work areas for the exchange. How many and in what size, whether open or closed, talking to your employees helps to clarify exactly that.
Mistake 3: Underestimating ergonomics
Don’t skimp on the ergonomic equipment of the workplaces. Treat your employees to a height-adjustable desk and a good office chair. This investment in health care will definitely pay off for you.
Mistake 4: Too little storage space
It is very difficult to keep order if an office does not have enough storage space. Therefore, a place for frequently required papers and documents should also be planned at every desk. A cluttered office does not make a good impression.
Mistake 5: Noise and disruptive factors
The open-plan office is often associated with unpleasant background noise and a lack of privacy. Telephone calls here and loud discussions there. There is often a lack of privacy and the walking routes are too close to the workplace.
What are the prerequisites and requirements in your company?
Place the jobs accordingly. Sideboards and highboards are suitable as room dividers, at the same time serve as storage space and help reduce noise.
An office that is too spartan does not look inviting. A beautiful plant in the field of vision also contributes enormously to well-being.
Plants also create a pleasant and healthy indoor climate. If there are no plants at the workplace, the air conditioning or heating system is quickly perceived as too dry.
Mistake 6: Lack of opportunities for recreation
If you work hard and concentrate, you also have to be able to switch off occasionally to recharge your batteries. Find out what is most in demand among your employees.
Conclusion
Planning a new office isn’t all that difficult, as long as it’s a smaller venture or only requires minor changes. A floor plan, a bit of experience and enthusiasm for planning and employee integration should suffice. For complex tasks, it is advisable to use a planning service. Furniture manufacturers and furniture dealers sometimes offer it as a free service. Professional planning offices create detailed concepts with light and acoustic planning, up to the documentation for tenders. Of course, this comprehensive service has its price.
