A poor office environment could be making workers unhappy – leading to employees feeling undervalued and productivity dropping, according to research from Staples.
The researchers found that the problem is widespread, with one in five of the workers polled claiming they would describe their office workspace as ‘depressing’. Almost a third (31%) reported they are ashamed of their office.
And this is having a powerful effect on employee productivity.
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Four in five (81%) said their office space has an impact on their mental health, and 46% believed they’d be happier in another job altogether – suggesting a poor office environment could lead to retention issues.
However, with a little bit of effort, organisations could create a better work environment and reap the benefits – 68% said they would feel more valued at work if their organisation invested in their workspaces
Professor Sir Cary Cooper, 50th Anniversary Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at the Manchester Business School and author of Well-being: Productivity and Happiness at Work believes staff well-being is the key component to creating a happy workforce.
“Work can make you sick – and work can make you happy,” he explained. “Which one happens depends on who you are, what you do, and how you are treated at work.
“So, an improvement in staff wellbeing can be a catalyst to the development of workspaces that encourage happiness, fulfilment and productivity.”
Jeanette Bresitz, Head of Merchandising, UK, at Staples, added that it is important employers go beyond the token gestures when considering wellbeing initiatives.
“As many psychologists, including Professor Cooper, rightly point out, workplace happiness is about striking a balance between providing employees with the right physical space – such as giving them the tools they need to do their jobs well, and a workspace that promotes mental health – while also providing them with a nurturing culture in which they can grow,” she said.
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“With nearly half of UK office workers telling us that they think they’d be happier in another job, we are urging businesses to make changes so staff feel more valued, productive and loyal to their employers.”
“It’s important to note that boosting the workspace with free snacks and office puppies isn’t the long-term answer – achieving office happiness is about more than gimmicks – but our research shows that it’s a good place to start.”
