It’s now widely accepted that the environment in which we work has a direct impact on our productivity and morale. Advances in technology have led to an increase in agile working and remote working, meaning that our workplaces must offer more flexibility than ever before.
The architecture and atmosphere of our workplaces not only shapes our performance, it also plays a part in attracting and retaining talent.
What is activity-based working?
Activity based working gives employees the choice about how, when and where they work. In practice, this means if a person is working from an office, they should be equipped with a choice of work settings that suit different types of tasks.
So how can we create a workplace that meets the needs of different job roles and departments? We’ve identified five main zones that every workplace should have to reach optimum performance:
Team:
A team is a group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal. Team areas are workspaces that foster team spirit, from high-energy sales environments to dedicated project zones that require a mix of focus and collaboration.
Focus:
Focus zones are quieter spaces in a busy open plan environment where you can escape distractions and concentrate. They are also useful for touchdown working, where visitors who do not have a permanent desk can work from temporarily.
Collaboration:
For any business to achieve success, collaboration is key. Collaborating helps to generate new ideas, keep staff engaged and improve efficiency. Informal breakout areas create places to exchange ideas, while clusters of desks without dividing panels facilitate open communication.
Privacy:
All workplaces need secure areas where employees can hold private discussions, process confidential information or share knowledge without disturbing colleagues. This could include meeting areas, training rooms and areas where they can speak confidentially.
Rejuvenation:
In today’s mobile world where there is the opportunity to work 24/7, it’s important for employees to have spaces where they can recharge their batteries and switch-off from work. Examples of rejuvenation areas include cafeterias, sofa areas, a pool table or onsite gym.
In summary, by creating a choice of environments within the workplace to suit different tasks and activities, the performance of our employees is enhanced and productivity and profitability is increased.
Adapt Ergonomics offers ergonomic solutions to help you create activity-based work zones within your workplace. To find out more or to make an enquiry, please get in touch.