--- layout: default_v3 language: default permalink: employee-productivity/how-does-workplace-affect-productivity.html i18n_link: 2778 updated: 2023-01-11 #--- article key-values ---# collection: default_topiccluster t_keyword: How Does Workplace Affect Productivity tags: employee productivity, measuring employee productivity, measuring productivity, how to be productive, how to measure productivity in the workplace type: supporting page_id: 2778 hreflang_id: 2778 parent_id: 5797 date_published: 2021-01-19 date_modified: 2023-01-11 #--- javascript schema ---# javascript_schema: - script: jquery_3_2_0_min - script: bootstrap_min - script: article_infinite_scroll - script: article_mix_infinitescroll - script: article_mix - script: article_mix_faq - script: article_mix_toc #--- section schema ---# section_schema: - section: nav-main_menu - section: article_body_v2 - section: footer - section: schedule_demo_cta #--- page key-values ---# meta_tags: t_meta_title: 7 Ways a Workplace Can Impact Productivity t_meta_description: Experts have long deliberated about how workplace environments affect employee productivity levels. t_meta_abstract: Experts have long deliberated about how workplace environments affect employee productivity levels. i_meta_image: article_body: json-ld_article: v_date_published: 2021-01-19 v_date_modified: 2023-01-11 author: p_author_id: 203 t_author: Priyanka Bhadani p_author_url: priyanka-bhadani.html i_author: 203.png t_author_description: Mary Kate Morrow is a writer, editor, and social media professional currently employed as a Digital Content Writer at Altametrics. She previously graduated with both a Bachelors degree in English Language and Literature and a Bachelors degree in Gender Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. p_author_facebook: //www.facebook.com/HubWorksApp p_author_twitter: https://twitter.com/HubworksApp p_author_linkedin: p_author_instagram: feature_snippet: p_type: text t_title: t_description: content: heading: t_title: 7 Ways a Workplace Can Impact Productivity t_description: Experts have long deliberated about how workplace environments affect employee productivity levels. image: i_image: 7-ways-a-workplace-can-impact-productivity-1610739366-5958.png t_image_description: How does workplace affect productivity v_image_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/office-home-house-desk-chair-lamp-1078869/ v_image_license: Creative Commons Zero v_video: paragraphs: - t_headline: 7 Ways the Workplace Influences Productivity t_text: When evaluating which factors affect employee productivity levels, concepts like company culture and job satisfaction are generally immediately mentioned. However, studies show that workplace environment elements ranging from air quality to natural light exposure are also incredibly important to consider.

A primary reason that work environment components are not considered as much as they should be by business professionals is due to the fact that they are easily overlooked. 7 significant factors that influence workplace productivity that all corporations should pay attention to include- p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: t_description: v_attribution: v_license: video: v_video: xF5a0jCS7Bs v_video_language: default t_name: Can office buildings affect productivity t_description: This video was created for use on the UK's Multi Comfort website - //multicomfort.saint-gobain.co.uk/ Transcript of videoStaff costs, including salaries and benefits, typically account for about 90% of business operating costsWhat's more, for most employers, a healthy, happy workforce is a vital component of a productive, successful business in the long-term tooTherefore it follows that that the productivity of staff, or anything that impacts their ability to be productive, should be a major concern for any organisationSmall differences in staff performance and productivity can have a large effect on the organisation as well as the individualsThere is overwhelming evidence which demonstrates that the design of an office impacts the health, wellbeing and productivity of its occupantsBut it is increasingly clear that there is a difference between office environments that are simply not harmful and environments that positively encourage health and wellbeing, and stimulate productivityFor example, productivity improvements of 8-11% are not uncommon as a result of better air quality in the workplaceSeveral studies in the last decade have estimated productivity gains as a result of proximity to windows, with experts now thinking that the views out are probably the more significant factor, particularly where the view offers a connection to natureIn addition, being productive in the modern office is practically impossible when noise provides an unwanted distractionThe report summarises a large range of factors associated with an office's physical environment.It suggests a strong causal relationship between design and individual's health, wellbeing and productivitySo to improve your organisation's productivity, consider the impact your building is having and could have. v_url: //youtu.be/xF5a0jCS7Bs i_thumbnail: //i.ytimg.com/vi/xF5a0jCS7Bs/default.jpg i_thumbnail_1x1: //i.ytimg.com/vi/xF5a0jCS7Bs/default.jpg i_thumbnail_4x3: //i.ytimg.com/vi/xF5a0jCS7Bs/mqdefault.jpg i_thumbnail_16x9: //i.ytimg.com/vi/xF5a0jCS7Bs/sddefault.jpg v_upload_date: 1-31-2018 v_length_minutes: 2 v_length_seconds: 20 v_view_count: 563 callout_text: - t_headline: 1. Noise t_text: Surrounding background noise can massively affect employee productivity. In fact, studies show that employee productivity levels can plummet a shocking 66% when team members are exposed to nearby distracting noises.

Distracting noises in the workplace can range from overheard conversations between coworkers to office furniture persistently squeaking. It can be difficult to define or determine which noises are the most distracting in a specific work environment as each employee may notice different noises.

One method to boose productivity and combat this issue is to keep a low ambient noise consistently playing. Sometimes supplying a consistent ambient noise can be as simple as an air conditioner humming throughout the workday.

Additional methods to deter distracting noises that affect employee productivity include an office design that allows each employee to close their own door. An office layout that is an open plan is generally considered the worst for decreasing distractibility. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 1-noise-1610739703-6671.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/desk-computer-business-office-2852986/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/desk-computer-business-office-2852986/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_headline: 2. Music t_text: Whether or not music increases employee productivity is a hotly contested issue when discussing which workplace environment factors affect productivity levels. While some people work best with music, other employees need quieter work environments in order to concentrate.

If employees feel passionate about being able to listen to music while working, it can be wise to allow headphone usage to increase their job satisfaction levels. However, employers may wonder if it is sensible to play music universally throughout the office space.

Studies have shown that lyrical music can distract employees. Additionally, high volume music may deter the concentration that employees need for high quality work production. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 2-music-1610739704-6369.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/workplace-office-desk-blogging-2303851/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/workplace-office-desk-blogging-2303851/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_title: Remember- t_text: A work environment affects everyone within it, so choosing to play music throughout the entire office space can be more harmful than beneficial to employee productivity overall. - t_headline: 3. Air Quality t_text: When considering how physical environment factors affect employee productivity levels, air quality should always be a top concern. In fact, studies have shown that poor air quality decreases employee productivity by up to 9%.

Techniques to improve air quality in the office space include the installation of air filters and increasing air circulation speeds. Supplying a higher air quality will likely keep employees both more productive and healthier. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 3-air-quality-1610739704-2588.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/office-space-office-sunny-coworking-1744805/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/office-space-office-sunny-coworking-1744805/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_headline: 4. Temperature t_text: Employees must be equipped with a reasonable climate in their work environment in order to be productive. If the temperature is too high, or too low, the likelihood of maintaining a high productivity workplace plummets.

While studies disagree about what the best temperature is exactly, most employees work best at around 71 degrees Fahrenheit. At 71 degrees, the productivity employees experience is generally at its peak.

Of course, people work best in different temperatures, so finding the right temperature for a specific office environment may require some trial and error. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 4-temperature-1610739704-4235.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/office-startup-tables-chairs-room-594119/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/office-startup-tables-chairs-room-594119/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_headline: 5. Light t_text: There are many studies suggesting that people work best when provided with an abundance of natural light sources. Natural light can help employees perform more high quality work and increase their job satisfaction levels.

Lighting factors affect the probability of workers experiencing computer vision syndrome in addition to various mental health symptoms. If the office space does not have enough natural lighting available, blue tinted light sources are highly recommended. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 5-light-1610739704-7301.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/laptop-work-space-home-office-5582775/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/laptop-work-space-home-office-5582775/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_headline: 6. Color t_text: There is an entire field of psychology dedicated to understanding how color influences people. Unsurprisingly, the way that colors affect how people work is also studied closely.

Studies have shown that office space colors influence employee engagement and productivity levels. For example, the color red is associated with emotionality which could be a high productivity workplace choice for competitive industries.

The color blue is associated with calmness, a great option for high stress industries that want to decrease employee stress levels. The color green is associated with efficiency and some studies even suggest it can decrease eye fatigue. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 6-color-1610739704-2941.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/office-space-office-sunny-coworking-1744803/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/office-space-office-sunny-coworking-1744803/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_title: Tip- t_text: Trying out different colors throughout the office space is a great way to better understand how colors influence employee productivity at a specific workplace.
- t_headline: 7. Plants t_text: Plants boast an astounding ability to boost productivity levels. In fact, studies show that plants in the workplace environment can boost productivity by up to 15%!

When discussing the reasons that plants boost productivity so aggressively, experts have a range of theories ranging from air quality improvements to office design compliments. Regardless of why plants so heavily affect employee productivity, they are an affordable and accessible option to help increase productivity long term. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 7-plants-1610739704-2240.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/architecture-interior-room-modern-2804083/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/architecture-interior-room-modern-2804083/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_headline: Key Takeaways t_text: p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: key-takeaways-1610739704-1884.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/office-startup-table-chairs-room-594120/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/office-startup-table-chairs-room-594120/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: event_body: json-ld_event: t_name: Employee Scheduling for Restaurant Managers t_description: Attendees will learn how create excellent schedules. The class teaches managers how to estimate the number of employees they need to staff their locations; how to accurately forecast their customer demand; how to quickly and accuaratly write and communicate schedules to employees; and how to evaluate the accuracy and optimization of their schedules to make adjustments. v_start_date: 2022-08-08 i_image: p_location_name: Altametrics Online Webinar Course p_address: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics v_price: 10.00 t_offer_description: Priority Registration v_registration_url: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics ---