Happy and healthy employees are more productive, so as a business owner, it's in your interest to make sure that you look after your team. That all starts with your office space and there are some simple changes you can make to encourage good health. These are some of the great health features that every office should have.
By Team Savant
Image: The Creative Exchange
Ergonomic Furniture
Sitting down all day long takes a toll on your body. It can cause back pain, neck strain and joint problems. That's why you should invest in ergonomic furniture that makes sure your employees are sitting in the right position to reduce discomfort. For example, using adjustable desks keeps everyone working at a comfortable height and ergonomic chairs will prevent any issues with back and neck pain. Making adjustments to your hand position when using a computer is also important for reducing repetitive strain injuries. Ergonomic wrist rests and adjustable monitors can be a huge help here. These simple changes will make a massive difference to your employee's physical health, and prevent any distractions caused by pain and discomfort.
Good Ventilation
The air quality of an office can have a huge impact on health and there are some common symptoms of poor ventilation that workers might experience such as headaches and sore eyes. This can be quickly alleviated by getting the air conditioning up to scratch or installing a ventilation system that maintains good air quality throughout the building. Good ventilation also reduces the chances of illness as airborne pathogens do not sit around in the office. This is especially important at the moment as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a big threat to businesses everywhere.
Healthy Food Choices
Employees often feel like they don't have the time to go and find themselves a healthy lunch, so it's good to make sure that there are plenty of healthy food choices available for them. That means having a canteen that provides healthy food including fresh fruit, vegetables and water. Even better is if you have vending machines that offer nutritious, low fat snacks. The best approach to healthy eating is to provide employees with lots of options so they can pick what suits them the most. People have a tendency to snack throughout the day and if they are only presented with high-fat and sugary options, this has a big impact on their overall health and their energy levels.
Big Windows
Studies show that natural light has a positive effect on health and wellbeing. It has been shown to reduce symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is particularly common in the winter months. Lack of natural light is the most common cause of vitamin D deficiency and it can also lead to low energy levels, which affects productivity. By introducing more natural light into the office, you can boost energy levels and improve the health of your employees. If you have a particularly dark office, you should consider adding some large windows to let the light in.
By introducing these great health features to your office, you can make sure that you are looking after your employees properly.