By Natalie Wilson:
Many companies all over the world are transforming their tired and outdated offices into new green environments that benefit both employees and the business. The typical office is home to many opportunities to go green: from adjusting lighting systems to changing office supplies, there are perhaps hundreds of ways you can transform your office space.
Having a green office space is not only beneficial to the company, but it can give employees a much-needed boost. A Harvard studyfound that office design not only plays a huge role in our professional lives but also has a substantial effect on our well-being.
As cities grow substantially, many city-based offices are being deprived of access to any kind of greenery, so by transforming your office into an eco-friendly and sustainable space, you can reap the health benefits that come with it. So, with this in mind, here are some ways that you and your employees can benefit from a green office space and how you can go about creating one.
Boost Cognitive Thinking
A Harvard study found that green office spaces produce a 26% increase in cognitive functions. It also noted a significant increase in strategy, information usage and crisis response. This holistic approach of eco-friendly and efficient workspaces is sure to benefit the health of employees and the environment in which they work.
Motivate Your Employees
Cities are quickly becoming vast oceans of grey, with only small spots of green located in and around these areas. Research suggests that this lack of color has a hugely negative effect on employee efficiency, so adding some plants and greenery to your office space will be hugely beneficial. By adding plants to your office, creating a green space outdoors for employees to enjoy, or even adding a living wall to your reception or communal area, you will boost your employee’s motivation levels.
Promote a Healthy Work Environment
This is particularly important if your office is situated in a city center or if you work in a distribution center, factory or warehouse. Often, these places can have poor air quality due to pollution levels, but there are some things you can do to improve this. As mentioned in the previous example, plants can greatly improve the air quality, especially in office environments.
Natural light and better air ventilation can improve the quality of air in a workspacealso, so it may well be worth looking at revising your office layout in order to make the most of any natural light, and installing industrial ventilation systems.
Introducing sustainable practices in your office can result in a significant decrease in employee sick days. Another way you can reduce this is by using safe cleaning products, which use plant-based ingredients rather than harmful chemicals. Increased exposure to chemicals found in cleaning products can lead to serious health issues, both short- and long-term. Healthier employees are far more productive, helping businesses as a result.