Our homes are extensions of ourselves, spaces that we feel the need to personalise to ensure they are uniquely ours and represent us and our interests. This same principle applies to one’s work area, such as their desk at the office. Through workplace personalization, employees are given the chance to express themselves and feel comfortable, while also creating a space that inspires their productivity. Other benefits include employee satisfaction and improved morale, helping to create a happy and healthy workforce. Office personalization goes beyond aesthetics, as it also allows employees to craft a work area that caters to their individual needs, work styles, and preferences. There are ways you can foster this initiative, such as encouraging workers to decorate their desks or by installing customisable furniture.
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Ways to Encourage Office Personalization
Desk Decoration
If your employees have their own desks within the workplace, an easy way to encourage workplace personalization is by allowing employees to decorate their desks as they see fit. This also applies to their personal workspace if desks are not used. Whether it is photos of loved ones, cherished mementos, or decorative flowers and plants, these possessions help to make employees feel relaxed and at home.
This in turn boosts their general well-being and productivity, resulting in a workforce that is happier and more energised to complete the tasks at hand. Best of all, this initiative costs the company no expense as the employees are providing the items themselves, while still feeling valued by their employer.
Personal Digital Identities
Employee personalisation doesn’t have to only exist physically, as there are several ways employees can express themselves in the digital space. With most businesses operating online now, employees are bound to use several desktop applications such as Slack to track tasks and communicate with co-workers.
These applications can typically be customised for each user, such as choosing an avatar or choosing how information is presented and coloured. These custom choices also apply to more work-focused applications, allowing employees to personalise their digital workspace based on their specific responsibilities and tasks. This makes it easier to track the work that needs to be done, improving workflow and productivity.
Adjustable Furniture
Everyone possesses a different body shape, making it difficult to secure furniture that accommodates everyone in the office. A simple way to avoid this dilemma is through adjustable furniture, allowing your staff to customise their workstation as they require. Office chairs with adjustable heights are a staple of the workplace, but modern offices are taking this further by making standing desks the new normal.
These desks can be raised or lowered as desired, allowing employees to sit at the exact height they need to feel comfortable, while also allowing them to work while standing to stretch their legs and avoid feeling lethargic. While office personalization is typically thought of as decorations and other visual prompts, personalized furniture is a valuable tool for boosting employee satisfaction.
Go Green
Countless people keep plants in their homes, and this natural (or artificial) décor also fits perfectly in the office. Along with supplying plants yourself, encourage employees to bring plants from home to help decorate the space, either on their desks or throughout the office. Consider taking it a step further by starting a small garden in the workplace where employees can add their own touches while caring for it on a regular basis.
Taking care of the plants helps your staff to find peace and tranquillity throughout the day and is a great way to unwind after a particularly taxing task. Biophilic design helps to improve the air quality in the office while creating a pleasant environment to work in. Plants need plenty of natural light to stay strong, so fit out your office space with wall length windows to make caring for your green friends easier.
Encourage Employee Feedback
The best way to create a workplace that feels tailored to your employees is to solicit feedback from them and incorporate this into your planning. While it’s easy to believe that we know what’s best for our staff, it is easy to overlook certain facilities or initiatives that can vastly improve employee performance and morale.
Regularly gaining feedback, either through meetings or through comment boxes, allows you to identify these areas of improvement so you can take the necessary steps to create a workplace your employees enjoy spending time in. This helps to increase their overall happiness and productivity.
Enjoy the Benefits of Office Personalization Today!
Whether you are seeking office design and fitout or office space planning, the team here at Future Fitouts is ready to turn your office into a haven for employee satisfaction and creativity. We have helped countless clients improve their workflow and bottom line through high end office designs, and we are here to do the same for you. Give us a call on 1300 368 461 to learn more about our services, or request a proposal to get started.