- High-performing workers want comfortable and productive work environments.
- Making spaces more attractive to a diverse population can bring a variety of benefits to workers, the culture of an organization, and attract more business.
- Here are 10 steps that can help ensure every individual using a space can thrive in it.
This article was written by Amie Keener of Gensler for Work Design Magazine.
People are spending more time in the office and are hungry for an evolution in the built environment. The outlook for a strong labor market is expected to continue and with that, high-performing workers are going to want comfortable and productive work environments. Making spaces more attractive to a diverse population can bring a variety of benefits to each other, the culture of an organization, and attract more business.
Energy costs affect every organization, and workers are becoming more aware of the benefits of an Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) framework. Putting extra effort into making workplace environments more comfortable, inclusive, and healthy benefits everyone. The following steps can help ensure every individual using the space can thrive in it.
1. Employee Resource Groups
Research by Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, says social connection significantly improves the health and wellbeing of all individuals. People want to feel like they belong. Get employees involved with the education and culture of the diverse types of groups in the workplace. From Women’s groups to LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Latin/Hispanic, Veterans, Parents, Asian, Native American, and beyond, there are many ways to bring people together in a positive and meaningful way in the office.
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Allyships and mentorships are important and valuable too. These engagements can provide valuable feedback to make the workspace more productive and effective. If you are building a new space or modifying an existing one, connect with these groups for feedback throughout the process. Employee Resource Groups can also serve a positive role for mentorship in the workspace too.
2. Access… to every space easily
Elevators and ramps are crucial because they help a wide range of users. Consider that a lot of people use roller bags to carry laptops to and from work. Roller bags are far more ergonomic than carrying a backpack or shoulder bag. Access to several types of workspaces is important as workers can benefit from multiple types of spaces to move throughout the day and to choose the space best for the work they are doing. Work cafés, small huddle rooms for 2-4 people, small, enclosed focus rooms for 1-2 people, and work zones for teams to collaborate, should be considered providing flexible options for a variety of meetings and quiet “heads down” time. Making space more accessible, comfortable, safer, and appealing makes people want to come to the office and spend more time in the office.
3. Flexibility
People and companies in all fields benefit from flexibility. Provide areas with adaptable furniture for workers to decide how they want to work in their space. Integrate movable whiteboards or bookcases to section off certain areas of the space. Allow for some rooms to have moveable tables and chairs so the area can be used in a variety of different settings.
4. Public Health — Spread out
Several small desks clustered together do not make people feel comfortable during flu season. Allergy season seems to be never ending. If someone sneezes during the day while sitting at their desk, is there a partition or barrier between desks? Provide a place for hand sanitizer and antibacterial cleaning wipes in visible open areas, and place tissues in communal areas. In restrooms, supply paper towels and waste baskets near the sink and near the door for people to use as they are leaving without touching surfaces. Also, allow workers easy access to fresh air and walking areas near the office to help with stress and to promote activity.
5. Views
Many of us are on virtual calls during the workday, be aware of the background, camera angles and ceilings. It can be distracting to people on the other end of the call if there is activity in the background, or people walking behind the person on the call. Consider taking a closer look at your layout. Often desks in open workspaces can be reworked easily with minimal cost and disruption to your employees. Provide workers with views to the outdoors and include roller shades or curtains to adjust the amount of natural lighting in the space. Indoor plants and greenery also help workers’ mental health and happiness in their workspace.
6. Serenity Rooms
Serenity rooms, also known as prayer rooms, can be beneficial for all. In recent years, there has been a progression toward the serenity room to be more welcoming to people of all faiths. These spaces should be large enough for all to feel comfortable and inviting. It is recommended to consult local end user groups for contributions and local culture appropriations.
7. Parents Rooms
Parents Rooms can easily be made to be flexible and serve many diverse types of workers in a typical office and retail environment. The room should be placed in a quiet area, away from activity. It should be large enough for lounge chairs with foot stools and a couple of small tables. Include space for microwave, small refrigerator, sink, paper towels, full length mirror, pillow, storage space, and adjustable or dimmable lighting. The door should be solid with a lock and occupancy indicator. Include a bulletin board or writable board for messages. If the room has windows, supply curtains or shades for full privacy. A parent’s room can be useful for nursing mothers, a parent who may need to take a private phone call or simply a moment away to destress.
8. All Gender Restrooms
Offer multiple all gender restrooms throughout the workspace. More clients are requesting these facilities in their workspaces. The landscape of building codes and laws is diverse, and all local codes and ordinances should be reviewed and followed. The most common solution is a large individual-use handicap accessible restroom. It’s best to provide more than one all gender restroom and locate them near gendered restrooms. Providing more than one can be valuable to reducing queuing times for everyone. All gender restrooms help parents with children, people with caregivers, people that are transgender, people that are non-binary, and beyond.
9. Acoustics — Flooring solutions matter
Hard surfaces can be easy to maintain, however, they can be noisy when people are walking around. Place desks in areas away from heavy traffic zones, ice machines, coffee makers, copy machines and corridors which can be noisy. If your office has workspace areas, distribute desk areas in “quiet” and “active” zones. Post signage that is clear and easy to understand. If you have private offices, consider door types with acoustic seals. Meeting rooms should include acoustical features to address in-person conversations and virtual calls. Carpets and area rugs can be helpful to mitigate sound. All area rugs should be secured well to the floor to prevent trip hazards. Noisy spaces can promote collaboration and excitement for some people; however, they can be challenging for some to concentrate. Provide spaces for both active and quiet zones.
10. Game Room/Area
Dedicate a space in your office for colleagues to socialize and play. This can include ping pong tables, foosball, video games, game tables and more. Having game areas inside and outdoors is a wonderful way to socialize with coworkers, to destress and build positive and meaningful relationships. Paul McCartney shared advice recently on a radio interview. Steve Inskeep (of NPR’s Morning Edition) asked him if there is anything he wishes he could go back and tell his younger self. His reply was, “get to know the people you work with. Most of us spend decades of our life working and the people we encounter in our ‘work life’ have the power to leave a positive lasting impact.”
As more people are returning to the office, designers need to keep exploring and evolving to make the workspace and the environment better for all. With companies exploring new workplace options, it’s important for them to talk to their employees to identify the right mix of amenities and spaces that can help them do their best work. Ultimately, the goal is to create offices that bolster camaraderie, inclusiveness, and productivity.
