I believe so. It helps the general mood of an office and only fosters good morale and productivity. I don't think anyone would want to spend there days in a dark and drab cave.
Absolutely. Keep in mind that most Americans are now spending at least forty hours a week (usually more) in the office. This is more time than some people spend at home. A good office environment is a must for productivity and worker morale.
I believe that office space has a lot to do with productivity. If the office is dark and dank, people will not work well. If it's bright and has a lot of collaborative workspaces, people will work better together and alone.
Do you feel that the setup of the Fast Company offices provide more interaction and involvement between employees and management? I like the open layout and lockers :)
During a recent conversation with a newspaper editor about their swanky new digs, he let it drop that he suspected it not only has had a postive impact on morale and productivity - but also on the tone of the publication. Seems that all those cranky old hacks needed were some Phillippe Starck furniture and Feng Shui!
Office spaces are all about status. If there is abundance of cubicles, sure nicer digs will make people more "productive," but only because you stop treating them like animals in a cage, and let them interact with others. But don't most of us still want the large corner office, with dark wood, high back black leather chair and an expense account for long lunches with clients? (Mad Men, anyone?)
DEPENDS...I agree that everyone likes to work in a cool, swanky environment. It probably increases productivity. Would you trade it for your bonus? I recently worked with a smaller company that invested in its environment in lieu of paying its employees. Instead of raises and bonuses everyone has a new desk or bigger office. The owner said, "Your bonus is working in a nicer environment." It caused lower productivity and lower morale to learn that all the profit for the year went into remodeling the office leaving nothing for the employees who had worked so hard all year.
Office space speaks to the value that an organization places on an individual or role. Having recently been moved from a decent private office to a cubicle on the shop floor there have been no tangible ill effects (same salary, same job status) but the residual effect is that of less value or importance to the organization.
Work environment is not as much a factor on productivity as it is a tremendous influence in attracting and keeping a better grade of employees.
That said there are some basics. Drab dull interiors will bring out the same in overall employee response. Bright clean contemporary suroundings will lift the spirits of employees.
The goal should be to provide an environment which minimizes the negative effects on employees. A positive work environment fosters teamwork and with that employees you can count on in times of duress.
If you ignore the environment or treat it lightly, chances are you're doing the same to your employees.
great space usually reflect a great company. company that care enough to provide the best possible set up for their team is usually led by people that care for their people but also understand the neccessity of efficient and enjoyable work space.
most people quit their job because they hate their boss or they feel underestimated either financially or on the relationship level. I am not mentioning also the fact that any customer or client walking in your office will expect to see a professional space rather than a dump.
Nice digs may keep some employees from becoming disatisfied if all other things are equal. The challenge is that all things are not equal.
Which has a more powerful influence on employees? Having a nice work area, or having a supervisor who is positive, affirming, and who provides opportunities for growth and development? If people have a choice, I think most employees might prefer positive working relationships and an effective reward system over a nice, clean work environment. Better yet, why can't we have both?
However, there seems to be this "myth" that one's office must reflect one's industry or type of business. As such, corporate offices - unless it's the front-end business leading to the CEO's office - are often practical, functional, but boring.
It also depends on which department of the company. The ones that receive a lot of visitors and need to impress are often well-designed, etc.
On the other hand, companies in the creative business often have offices that reflect such creativity. Where I used to work, our advertising agency's offices had a pool table in the waiting area which also serves as recreation area for the staff.
I believe that enviroment is ONE key to improved productivity. Obviously employees are not going to give up their bonuses for nicer offices. (I need money to put into my own apartment)Me personally I find that certain enviroments for me make it harder to be creative. Working in the marketing department I come up with better ideas while driving home than sitting in my cubicle. Sometimes employees need to be inspired especially departments that have to be more creative. Companies should look into "Think Tanks" or company gym to allow employees to relieve stress and get the creative juices flowing.
A space that considers what the human "instincts" need will result in greater profits, more production, happier employees and better communication. The problem is that cubicle manufactures keep making them and corporations aren't thinking about other alternatives that have nothing to do with the new imporve fabrics on the cubicles or anything like that. It has to do with the space and assuring your employees "feel instinctively" safe in them. An example I like to use is this: think about the last time you went out to lunch and as you approach the table there was that "chair" you knew you wanted. Now we may not talk about that chair but there is a chair we usually woulo prefer and it's based on our instinctivly needs. It's the same for any place and why cubicles are design so poorly. Ask anyone who works in an cubicles and 9 out of 10 will tell you they "hate" them. When a corporations takes the change what isn't working based on the knowledge of protecting their employees and keeping them safe...the results are hugh and corporations survive because now their employees will work from a place of strength and power and not weakness or vulnerability. I know this because I have turn businesses space around many of times and seen profits increase and employees moral change. It just takes time to change the way we've been thinking.
17 Total
December 27, 2007 at 11:34am by Kevin Ohannessian
I believe so. It helps the general mood of an office and only fosters good morale and productivity. I don't think anyone would want to spend there days in a dark and drab cave.
December 27, 2007 at 1:09pm by Tyler Adams
Absolutely. Keep in mind that most Americans are now spending at least forty hours a week (usually more) in the office. This is more time than some people spend at home. A good office environment is a must for productivity and worker morale.
December 27, 2007 at 1:44pm by Gloria Sin
Of course! You want your greatest assets, your employees, to want to work hard for you, right?
December 27, 2007 at 1:58pm by Lynne d Johnson
I believe that office space has a lot to do with productivity. If the office is dark and dank, people will not work well. If it's bright and has a lot of collaborative workspaces, people will work better together and alone.
January 10, 2008 at 9:08pm by Andy Thompson
Do you feel that the setup of the Fast Company offices provide more interaction and involvement between employees and management? I like the open layout and lockers :)
January 11, 2008 at 3:17am by Francois Nel
During a recent conversation with a newspaper editor about their swanky new digs, he let it drop that he suspected it not only has had a postive impact on morale and productivity - but also on the tone of the publication. Seems that all those cranky old hacks needed were some Phillippe Starck furniture and Feng Shui!
January 11, 2008 at 1:35pm by Tim Tymchyshyn
don't come and visit me, you may never find me through the paper
January 18, 2008 at 1:36pm by Ryan Butts
Office spaces are all about status. If there is abundance of cubicles, sure nicer digs will make people more "productive," but only because you stop treating them like animals in a cage, and let them interact with others. But don't most of us still want the large corner office, with dark wood, high back black leather chair and an expense account for long lunches with clients? (Mad Men, anyone?)
January 19, 2008 at 8:06pm by Alma Tisher
DEPENDS...I agree that everyone likes to work in a cool, swanky environment. It probably increases productivity. Would you trade it for your bonus? I recently worked with a smaller company that invested in its environment in lieu of paying its employees. Instead of raises and bonuses everyone has a new desk or bigger office. The owner said, "Your bonus is working in a nicer environment." It caused lower productivity and lower morale to learn that all the profit for the year went into remodeling the office leaving nothing for the employees who had worked so hard all year.
January 21, 2008 at 1:08pm by Steve Peirce
Office space speaks to the value that an organization places on an individual or role. Having recently been moved from a decent private office to a cubicle on the shop floor there have been no tangible ill effects (same salary, same job status) but the residual effect is that of less value or importance to the organization.
January 21, 2008 at 1:53pm by Len Porzio
Work environment is not as much a factor on productivity as it is a tremendous influence in attracting and keeping a better grade of employees.
That said there are some basics. Drab dull interiors will bring out the same in overall employee response. Bright clean contemporary suroundings will lift the spirits of employees.
The goal should be to provide an environment which minimizes the negative effects on employees. A positive work environment fosters teamwork and with that employees you can count on in times of duress.
If you ignore the environment or treat it lightly, chances are you're doing the same to your employees.
January 26, 2008 at 2:21pm by Laurent Bourscheidt
great space usually reflect a great company. company that care enough to provide the best possible set up for their team is usually led by people that care for their people but also understand the neccessity of efficient and enjoyable work space.
most people quit their job because they hate their boss or they feel underestimated either financially or on the relationship level. I am not mentioning also the fact that any customer or client walking in your office will expect to see a professional space rather than a dump.
January 28, 2008 at 4:43pm by Kerry Webb
Nice digs may keep some employees from becoming disatisfied if all other things are equal. The challenge is that all things are not equal.
Which has a more powerful influence on employees? Having a nice work area, or having a supervisor who is positive, affirming, and who provides opportunities for growth and development? If people have a choice, I think most employees might prefer positive working relationships and an effective reward system over a nice, clean work environment. Better yet, why can't we have both?
February 9, 2008 at 6:10pm by Chris Rapp
I think that if employees have pride in their work environment, they will work harder and smarter and overall be more happy.
February 12, 2008 at 2:38am by Chet Chin
Definitely.
However, there seems to be this "myth" that one's office must reflect one's industry or type of business. As such, corporate offices - unless it's the front-end business leading to the CEO's office - are often practical, functional, but boring.
It also depends on which department of the company. The ones that receive a lot of visitors and need to impress are often well-designed, etc.
On the other hand, companies in the creative business often have offices that reflect such creativity. Where I used to work, our advertising agency's offices had a pool table in the waiting area which also serves as recreation area for the staff.
February 21, 2008 at 10:43am by Nathan Minetti
I believe that enviroment is ONE key to improved productivity. Obviously employees are not going to give up their bonuses for nicer offices. (I need money to put into my own apartment)Me personally I find that certain enviroments for me make it harder to be creative. Working in the marketing department I come up with better ideas while driving home than sitting in my cubicle. Sometimes employees need to be inspired especially departments that have to be more creative. Companies should look into "Think Tanks" or company gym to allow employees to relieve stress and get the creative juices flowing.
March 15, 2009 at 12:17pm by Cristina Kuiper
A space that considers what the human "instincts" need will result in greater profits, more production, happier employees and better communication. The problem is that cubicle manufactures keep making them and corporations aren't thinking about other alternatives that have nothing to do with the new imporve fabrics on the cubicles or anything like that. It has to do with the space and assuring your employees "feel instinctively" safe in them. An example I like to use is this: think about the last time you went out to lunch and as you approach the table there was that "chair" you knew you wanted. Now we may not talk about that chair but there is a chair we usually woulo prefer and it's based on our instinctivly needs. It's the same for any place and why cubicles are design so poorly. Ask anyone who works in an cubicles and 9 out of 10 will tell you they "hate" them. When a corporations takes the change what isn't working based on the knowledge of protecting their employees and keeping them safe...the results are hugh and corporations survive because now their employees will work from a place of strength and power and not weakness or vulnerability. I know this because I have turn businesses space around many of times and seen profits increase and employees moral change. It just takes time to change the way we've been thinking.