Back to the Office

Though working from home has its advantages when dealing with the pandemic, offices offer overall health and improved productivity for the worker.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most formidable challenges faced by the human race. The crisis has had a significant impact on the way we live and work. The forced adoption of the long-term work-from-home arrangement was one of the biggest changes in corporate work culture. However, the beloved office cannot be sidelined for long, and it was and will remain a significant part of professional lives in the times to come. Let us analyze why the office is an integral part of the work culture and why it affects the overall well-being of an employee.

Changes Amid the Pandemic

As they say, “Your personality is the sum total of your environment.” Although the working arrangements are companies’ prerogative and depend on the nature of work, the office seating layout and environment hold a lot of importance for employees’ well-being and health.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, modern offices have gone through a number of changes. The transition from cubicles to open floor plans was more of a necessity than an adaptation. However, the changes have had a direct bearing on employees’ well-being and productivity. If the factor of home comfort is set aside, productivity and alertness levels have declined during work-from-home arrangements.

A comfortable couch, casual clothes and a coffee mug might sound good but, in the long run, an office setup and working with your colleagues is far more productive. Proper lighting arrangement, comfortable furniture, clean premises, plush infrastructure, air conditioning, natural light and the availability of tea/coffee and water are some of the crucial elements for a perfect office premise.

Improved Focus 

A professional office environment has a direct effect on the psyche and productivity of an employee. If the workplace is not clean and tidy, the performance of an employee might not be the best. An organized and aesthetically designed workspace increases the ability to focus on the tasks at hand. Put in medical parlance, the visual cortex subjected to irrelevant elements in the surroundings can create difficulty for the brain to properly allocate attention.

A professional office environment has a direct effect on the psyche and productivity of an employee. If the workplace is not clean and tidy, the performance of an employee might not be the best.

An immunity from external noise at the workspace leads to better concentration and focus, which in turn leads to greater productivity. Increased efficiency of employees is directly related to the company’s profit margins.

Green and Ventilated Offices 

In the post-pandemic scenario, offices with flowery plants and green saplings are preferred by companies. A green office environment also helps employees increase productivity and reduce stress, while ensuring a steady supply of oxygen.

In addition to green plants, adequately ventilated premises can work wonders for the overall wellbeing of employees.

In addition to green plants, adequately ventilated premises can work wonders for the overall well-being of employees. Windows in the work area and clean air are known to provide better health and increased immunity.

Cleanliness Matters

The pandemic has compelled people to pay increased attention to hygiene, both personal and in the workplace. A clean, sanitized and germ-free office environment ensures the well-being of employees. Moreover, a clean environment improves focus. Employees are generally happier when they work in a pleasant, clean, comfortable environment that also has space for them to decompress from their day-to-day tasks.

Conclusively, a work-from-home setup might be a necessity in the short term, but the importance of a dedicated office space cannot be discounted. A well-lit, green and ventilated work environment will certainly affect the productivity quotient, performance and satisfaction levels of employees.