Our place of work is interlinked with certain factors that affect our output. While it is true
that we all love to work in a cheerful, vibrant and easygoing environment, this alone is not
enough to help us perform at an optimum.
Studies have shown that along with the physical work space of a company, the company
culture and working conditions also steer employees in a certain direction. For instance,
while open work spaces that facilitate better communication is quite beneficial to one’s
creativity, if the company culture does not allow for people to step outside their roles in
supporting others’ visions, then the results will be underwhelming.
It also goes without saying that employees perform better in better working conditions.
When employees feel that their management cares about their safety, their work-life
balance, their career goals and desire to learn and grow, then employees are willing to put
in the necessary work to achieve company goals as well. This kind of reciprocal work
environment is built on the premise that everyone cares for the other’s wellbeing.
It is heartening that many companies are now striving to meet these requirements in order
to provide a better work experience for their employees. In effect, so many companies both
large and small, are moving to better-designed, comfortably furnished and easily laid-out
work spaces. In fact, many start-ups now look for co-working spaces that enable free
movement that are clean and user-friendly. Companies are now also after better locations
when hunting for office spaces, choosing to pay more in order to reach more clients and
also enable employees to have a better work experience in an accessible location.
While work spaces and their utilitarian elements are important, company cultures are also
vital to the sustenance of a good business. If a company’s code of conduct, its code of
ethics, and its vision and mission are clearly laid out, employees feel safe and know what is
expected of them. This security allows for good work practices that translate to better
productivity.
In addition, when employees know that their work place is safe, that their lives are not at
risk, and that their employers care about and dedicate time to their physical and mental
wellbeing, employees know that they are appreciated. Allowing time and space for exercise,
organizing company social events and also being accommodating towards family and related
commitments will go a long way in making employees feel valued. Appreciated employees
certainly make better employees.
There is no one correct method to follow when deciding on these factors and how they
should be implemented. However, it is necessary that companies think about these criteria
and how they can use them to move their workforce in the right direction. Human beings
are, in general, social animals. If a workplace fosters support amongst staff, amongst the
leadership and across the hierarchies, there is nothing that they will not be able to achieve.
