Good design matters

THE combination of an ageing workforce, sick leave and growing staff costs has pushed employee wellbeing higher up the priority list of businesses. Paid sick leave alone costs businesses more than £14 billion every year, while employee overheads are (on average) 90 per cent of a company’s operating costs. But surprisingly, only eight per cent of employers have a wellbeing strategy.

The good news is that it’s not just new office fit-out that can benefit. Employers are increasingly choosing to refurbish their existing spaces because even on the tightest budgets, small tweaks can make an impact. Once priorities are identified, office design and fit-out can be used to bring them to life. Whether it’s improving work-life balance, environmental sustainability or mental and physical health, your wellbeing programme is inherently tied to office design.

Internal and external views, acoustics, air quality and thermal comfort all play a role in making a workplace healthy. Providing café-style areas or kitchens can promote good nutrition. Design can encourage movement by incorporating a variety of work settings for different activities, which limits the effects of sedentary office jobs. For mental wellbeing, plants and artwork can help make a pleasant environment. How we feel yo-yos throughout the working day. When we’re under pressure, the last thing we want is an office that adds to our mental strain. Layout is one of the ways to mitigate this – it’s crucial that employees can manage stress by moving to other parts of the office for certain tasks, especially those that require intense focus.

Designing for wellbeing empowers and vitalises, which can have a truly positive long-term impact. Ultimately, wellbeing matters and can be achieved with great results if you work with the right partner.