What are the most important environmental factors in the office? If you're looking for an answer to this question, you've come to the right place! Many people think of environmental protection or nature conservation when they hear the term "environmental factors". However, it actually describes the external influences on something or someone - in this case, in everyday office life.
In fact, a sensibly designed workplace can make the decisive difference between a productive and a frustrating working day. If you know the environmental factors and take them into account when designing your workplace, you can massively improve the working atmosphere and the productivity of your team.
In this article, I would therefore like to show you exactly which aspects you should definitely consider when planning a workplace - and what other benefits a sustainable redesign will bring for you and your team. Let's go!
Advantages: Why should environmental factors in the office be taken into account in workplace design?
Sustainable workplace redesign is much more than simply recycling paper or using energy-saving light bulbs. It is a holistic approachwhich takes into account and optimizes economic, ecological and social aspects and needs.
But how can you benefit from this in practical terms? Knowing the environmental factors and aligning the office accordingly, not only promotes motivation and productivitybut also protects the physical and psychological Health of employees in the workplace.
A well-designed workplace can also, above all, reduce stress, improve the Increase concentration, the Encourage creativity and improve general well-being. So the benefits are not just simply increased comfort in the office, but also the Efficiency and health.
Here I have you all important reasons for the consideration of environmental factors.
Economic advantages
- Cost Reduction: A sustainable workplace design leads to considerable cost savings in the long term - be it through lower energy consumption, reduced waste or more durable office furniture and technology.
- Increase in productivity: A healthy and pleasant working environment increases employee satisfaction and motivation. These factors in turn form a crucial basis for the real success of the company. productive works dar.
- Image Enhancement: The commitment to a good working environment ensures a positive corporate reputation and makes the company a more attractive employer.
Ecological advantages
- Resource conservation: Through the use of recycled or sustainably produced materials, the following are Natural resources and reduce the company's ecological footprint.
- Reduced energy consumption: Energy-saving equipment and lighting and interior design geared to the most important environmental factors in the office significantly reduce energy consumption.
- Improved air quality: The use of pollutant-free materials and plants in the workplace means an improvement in air quality and therefore also in the well-being of employees.
Social advantages
- Increased well-being: Experience has shown that a consciously and healthily designed workplace reduces the number of sick days and promotes employee satisfaction.
- Lived corporate culture: A shared commitment to sustainability, productivity and health in the office strengthens team spirit and creates a culture of respect and responsibility.
- Sensitization: Employees: experience in a sustainable office more about sustainable, ecological and social issues and can also apply this knowledge in their private lives.
Tip: How you can support your colleagues or Inspiring employees for sustainability in other ways I will be happy to explain in the linked blog post.
10 Environmental factors: What aspects should be taken into account when designing office workplaces?
So basically everyone involved benefitswhen attention is paid to environmental factors in the office. Fortunately, they are no longer a secret, so employers and office planners can align and design workplaces in such a way that they contribute massively to the success of the company.
Now you can find out exactly how this works and what you need to pay attention to when designing your office.
1. Ergonomics
Our bodies are simply not designed to remain in the same position at a desk for hours on end. With ergonomic chairs and mice, height-adjustable desks or the correct distance to the screen For example, employers support the natural attitude of their employees.
Among other things, this promotes blood circulation and prevents physical complaints. The environmental factor taken into account "Ergonomics in the workplace" thus promotes both the Energy and concentration, as well as the Long term health.
2. Climate
Especially Air temperature, air velocity, air pressure, air humidity and also the Temperature radiation are among the decisive climate factors in everyday office life.
Fluctuating temperatures in the office for example, impair concentrated work and general well-being enormous. A constant, pleasant room temperature and regular ventilation (for high air quality) are essential for a functioning working environment.
Tip: How the Improve indoor climate in general I have put together a separate blog article for you. Feel free to take a look there too.
3. Organization
A clean, tidy and organized working environment increases concentration and performance. Fortunately, to make a workplace as structured and tidy as possible, there are Numerous options and measures.
Digitalization in particular creates space and freedom. Among other things, simple programs can be used to Save paper in the office. For example, if you're editing a PDF document, instead of printing it out, correcting it by hand, and then scanning it again, you can use tools to convert PDFs directly into Word documents.
This means that changes can be made easily and paperlessly. A Useful online tool for the conversion of PDF to Word is for example SmallPDF.
4. Acoustics
Noise is a direct problem, especially in major disruptive factorwhere mental work is carried out. The higher the frequency and sound pressure level - and the longer the exposure time - the more disturbing the background noise.
Soundproofing measures For example, the installation of soundproof windows, special acoustic pictures or sound-absorbing ceilings and partition wall systems can help to create a quieter working atmosphere.
5. Plants
Plants are also among the most important environmental factors in the office. They not only improve air qualitybut also create a pleasant, homely atmosphere in which people enjoy working - even in air-conditioned rooms where the air is often dry. They are also natural Sound barriers.
Here are some Office plantswhich, among other things, promote the indoor climate and are particularly recommended for sensible workplace design:
- Aloe vera
- Green lily
- Window leaf
- Elephant foot
- Bow hemp
- Areca Palm
- Ivy
- …
6. Colors
Colors have a direct influence on our mood in everyday office life. Cold blue tones, for example, have a calming effectwhile warm yellow, orange and red tones emphasize the Creativity and energy. Light tones, such as bright white, reflect the light and thus have an inviting and room-enlarging effect.
Whether in the design of Walls and ceilings, of the Floor or in the selection of the Furniture and other furnishings: Be sure to consider the environmental factor "color" when researching and planning the ideal workplace.
7. Light
Good lighting is crucial for a clear head and a high level of concentration throughout the working day. Above all Natural daylight promotes well-being and alertness.
Artificial light makes the eyes tired. When planning and selecting lamps, luminaires and other artificial light sources, it is therefore important, among other things, to ensure a adequate lighting level and a Pleasant light color should be observed. The lighting should also be quiet and not flicker.
Tip: How to use the Save your eyes on the computer screen by the way, I show you in detail in the linked article.
8. Technology
With the help of modern devices and tools Optimize workflows and keep them lean - with direct, positive consequences for the team's productivity. It should also be low-radiation.
For these reasons, technology is also one of the most important environmental factors in the workplace. However, it is important in the long term, check them regularly and adjust if necessary.
9. Room layout
Of course, the chosen layout of an office also influences decisive influence on well-being and work performance within a company.
An open Office tends to promote cooperation and a sense of togetherness, but experience has shown that it is somewhat louder. Many individual rooms and separate areas offer quiet zones for concentrated work, but tend to make communication and collaboration more difficult. In the end, it is important to find a good combination.
10. personal note
A good workplace should also Room for personality and individuality offer. You can meet this environmental factor, for example, inspiring murals, photos, art figures or certain plants.
All employees should have the opportunity to actively shape the office. The Gained variety and consideration of personal wishesIt makes the employing company stand out from the crowd and ultimately contributes to the satisfaction of all colleagues and the interest of new employees.
Knowing environmental factors in the office and using them for happiness, satisfaction and company success
The design of a working environment has a significant influence on well-being, productivity and long-term health. Taking these environmental factors into account therefore not only underlines a company's sense of social and ecological responsibility, but ultimately also represents a important investment in its future dar.
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."
Aristotle (more under Diligence quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or other environmental factors that play an important role in a well-planned and well-designed office? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay healthy and happy,
PS: Many of us often work at home in our own office. How the ideal home office organization and how you can really concentrate and work effectively at home - I'll show you next in the linked article.
