How do you make your workplace somewhere that employees want to be?

It’s a question that never gets old. It’s not just a design question or even a question for psychologists. The answer is, it’s different from one individual to the next.

That doesn’t mean there’s no good answer.

Walk into a workplace with shabby carpets or cramped desks and you’ll soon realise where you don’t want to work.

Making small yet noticeable improvements to your workspace doesn’t need to be a costly or time-consuming exercise. Yet it can make a significant difference to your employees’ daily experience and their overall happiness.

After all, research has shown that workers who feel valued and respected are generally more satisfied with their jobs and loyal to their employers. They also tend to be more creative, collaborate more with others, and overall perform better.

That’s one reason why many businesses decide to hand over the task of workspace management to professionals. Walk into any good quality flexible workspace and you’ll find an environment that is carefully and deliberately designed with employees’ best interests at heart.

If you feel that your workspace environment could do with some improvement, ask the team for their ideas before you call in the decorators.

The results might surprise you. In place of trending perks like a games room or a nap pod, you might find that your employees want something different for example a comfortable break-out space, a decent coffee machine, or perhaps an outdoor seating area.

Stuck for ideas? Let’s take a closer look at some of the must-haves that can make a workspace more appealing:

• Ergonomic furniture. Comfortable, ergonomic furniture is an office essential that supports good posture and reduces strain. If possible, invest in adjustable desks to enable workers to sit or stand throughout the day, and if you want to go a step further, consider mobile solutions such as treadmill or cycling desks.
  
  

• Varied work zones. If space allows, create a mix of work environments within the office, such as quiet zones for focused work, collaborative areas for team projects, and casual spaces for informal meetings or relaxation. This variety caters to different working styles and individual needs throughout the day.
  
  

• Space to unwind. Encourage breaks and downtime by providing a comfortable breakout area. Find out what your team wants from this space - soft seating? Bar stools? Games? The key is to offer a place that employees want to use to unwind and recharge.
  
  

• Access to nature. Where possible, incorporate natural elements into the workspace. Whether it’s adding plants, creating outdoor seating areas, or ensuring plenty of natural light, exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.
  
  

• Wellness focus. What can you do to promote health and wellness within your workspace? Yoga classes, subsidised gym memberships, healthy snacks - any effort you go to shows employees that their wellbeing is a priority.
  
  

• Collaborative tech. The reality is, we live in an age of hybrid work. Even if most of your team works onsite, providing tools that enable smooth communication between in-office and remote workers will speed up workflows and enable greater productivity. Think video conferencing setups in meeting rooms, virtual whiteboards, and cloud-based project management tools.
  
  

• Team-building activities. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean raft-building. By regularly organising team-building activities that your people enjoy - such as team lunches, after-work socials, or group volunteering - you will help to create a sense of belonging while building stronger bonds between your team members.

Creating an appealing workspace is an ongoing process.

Perhaps most important of all, focus on continuous improvement.

Work to create a culture of open communication, where ideas and feedback are encouraged, and be prepared to make changes as needed. This flexibility demonstrates that the company is responsive and committed to maintaining a great working environment.

And since new initiatives are all too easily forgotten, be sure to communicate with your team regularly. Ask your team what they think of the new improvements, invite feedback, and re-affirm your commitment to creating a culture of open communication.

Every step you take towards creating a more comfortable and welcoming workspace is a step closer to creating a harmonious, productive work environment where people want to be.

UBC offers a variety of flexible offices including serviced and managed offices, coworking, meeting rooms and virtual offices across 15 UK locations. Learn more and chat with our friendly team at www.ubcuk.com.