Office environment boosting employee productivity

As a key decision maker in the top brass of your organization, you're sure to have found yourself in this scene: the blueprint of your new office is on your desk waiting to be approved, and next to them, the expected high estimate. Not only your designer, but also your managers have assured you that the new facility will enhance productivity. At some level, you know this is true. But how do you justify the figures that jump up at you from the proposal to yourself and the board?

Thankfully, in today's date, one can cite various studies that have been conducted by reputed organizations which have proved the positive correlation between better office design and improved employee performance. Researchers have found that the physical environment of an office has direct impact on factors of employee productivity such as job satisfaction, creativity, number of working hours and absenteeism.

According to Prof. G.G Ray, Professor and Ergonomics expert at IIT, Bombay says that "There is a strong correlation between ergonomic problems and an employee's productivity and performance. Such ergonomic problems not only result in diminished and low quality output but also adversely affect the morale of the employees."

According to a study conducted by the British Council for Offices, an employee's workplace is responsible for as much as 24 per cent of his/ her job satisfaction level. Moreover, a well thought office design can decrease absenteeism by 15 per cent and increase productivity by between 5 per cent and 20 per cent. Yet another survey across numerous firms confirmed the constructive effect of good organization design on employee morale and productivity. Nearly half the respondents said that they would work an extra hour more per day if they are provided with better office structures.

According to Mr. Ajai Kumar Dayal, General Manager-Retail & Marketing at Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, "It is shocking to see corporations spend staggering amounts of money on employee compensation claims, on an annual basis. Creating a more employee friendly work environment helps reduce injuries and thereby the costs related to them. Moreover, improved health and morale will result in greater productivity and output quality which of course will be reflected in the company's fiscal performance."

Reportedly, companies in the U.S spend more than $100 billion annually on musculoskeletal disorders and related losses. The figure, as Mr. Dayal rightly pointed out, is truly staggering. Some of the common problems observed are fatigue, neck & spinal injuries, pain and swelling in joints, cramping, reduced dexterity and hand grip to name a few. All of the above are ergonomic problems which develop over a period of time due to awkward posture and inadequate lower back support, unnecessary frequent repetitive tasks and forceful movements at workplace. This can be avoided to a great extent by providing the employees with a good workplace setup.

Today, corporations no longer consider money spent on upgrading workspaces and facilities as expenses, but treat it as a long term investment. They have realized that employees spend most of their time at the workspace and hence, it is highly critical to equip the staff with a healthy, ergonomically designed office environment which is comfortable, functional and also stylish in order to boost their productivity.

Over periods of time, growing number of Designers and Office Solution providers are focusing on creating flexible and exciting work environments with innovative designs in the effort to increase worker comfort and productivity.

According to Ms. Mallika Nair, Senior Interior Designer, "The challenge has always been to integrate aesthetics with functionality that profoundly contributes in creating an employee friendly workspace. Ergonomics plays a very important role, be it a simple task chair or a working desk – it has a direct impact on the efficiency and performance of the employees."

Mr. K Jagan, Business Manager, OFIS-Al Gurg Office Furniture further adds that "Today, corporations believe that comfort and functionality equal productivity at the workplace. It is imperative to provide world class products and highly personalized service with attention to details in order to not only meet but exceed our clients' expectations."

At the end, the correlation between the world of ergonomics and employee productivity could not have been summarized in a better way as once said by Winston Churchill.

"We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us."

About OFIS

OFIS (Office Furnishing Interior Solutions), a division of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, established in the early 1980s, is one of the finest Integrated Office Interior Solutions Provider in the UAE today. Over the decades, it has executed several projects for large corporations such as HSBC, Citi Bank, Royal & SunAlliance, Johnson & Johnson, Shell, Unilever, DHL, Schlumberger, Landmark Group and many more. Home to the world's best brands in furniture, flooring and interiors for offices, OFIS brings you innovative furnishing solutions for work environments. Comprehensive, through-the-line offerings are also available for classrooms, training rooms, lecture halls, auditoriums and airport lounges. With a complete in-house design studio and a team of competent and motivated professionals it aims to maximize customer satisfaction through offering avant-garde solutions.

OFIS is the only UAE supplier of major international brands including Samas, DVO, Aresline, Ergo, Benel, B.N Solutions, Maxon, Paoli, InterfaceFlor, Coinma, Parador, and Bosse.

For more information on OFIS visit www.ofisdubai.com, or call 800 OFIS (6347).