While being efficient and effective at work is the top priority for many businesses, this can be consistently achieved unless your staff is able to be comfortable in the environment in which they work. But sadly, this isn’t necessarily something that all business owners have been able to figure out yet.
So if you’ve recognized that your company could improve in this area, here are three tips for creating a more comfortable work environment for your employees.
Help People Feel Safe
In order for your employees to be comfortable at work, they have to first feel safe.
According to Veronique James, a contributor to Inc.com, having a negative or toxic work environment is one reason why people don’t feel safe at work. To combat this, you may want to consider if there are people or processes that are contributing to these feelings and how you can address these issues. This may include having more of a commitment to things like integrity, transparency, and honesty between staff members and the management team.
In addition to emotional safety, your staff also needs to feel physically safe. So if your physical location isn’t as safe as it should be, you should consider calling in professionals to check out your building or add some security features that can help your staff feel more secure and comfortable at work.
Encourage Customization
In most businesses, employees will have some kind of space that they can call their own. Whether this is a locker, a cubicle, or an office, giving your staff the freedom to customize their space can help them feel much more comfortable there.
A great way to do this, according to Sammi Caramela, a contributor to Business News Daily, is to give each employee a small amount of money that they can use to purchase items for their workspace rather than issuing the same items or gear to everyone. While this might put a little extra pressure on your budget, it could prove to be very beneficial when it comes to improvements in productivity.
Don’t Forget About Mood
To have a truly comfortable workspace for your staff, you have to consider the mood of your entire space.
As part of the mood, Dennis Hung, a contributor to SmallBizDaily.com, recommends that you bring in as much life into your space as you can. This can be done through the use of natural light or office plants. Whatever it is that will make the mood of your space more natural and comfortable, consider adding that to your space.
If you’re wanting your employees to be more comfortable at work, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you accomplish this.