Do Outdoor Office Spaces Inspire Employee Productivity?
As a business owner, you’ll see many office trends come and go. However, adapting to the evolution of the work environment can affect your team’s performance and productivity.
While moving an entire office space outdoors isn’t the most feasible approach, providing staff with opportunities to connect with nature could benefit them in several ways.
So, do outdoor office spaces inspire employee creativity? Please continue reading below to determine whether it’s the right move for your company.
Benefits
Introducing greenery to office space has advantages, and incorporating an outdoor working area moves far beyond a few potted plants. Outdoor spaces may have benefits in creating a stimulating workplace for employees.
Decreases Stress and Burnout
Work-related stress is a common concern for individuals with excessive workloads, insufficient training, or lack of support. Negative feelings associated with stress can translate to poor work performance and cause health problems in the future.
However, an outdoor working space places employee needs first by establishing an area where they can work freely. Studies show that exposure to nature can improve attention, enhance moods, and lower stress and mental fatigue, reducing the chance of employee burnout.
Can Improve Overall Health
The more employees expose themselves to the outdoors, the more opportunities they’ll have to improve their overall health. Spending time working in outdoor office spaces may increase an individual’s vitamin D levels, improve sleep, and strengthen their immune system.
Improved health can mean fewer sick days, potentially increasing productivity levels in the staff.
May Inspire Creativity and Problem Solving
Collaborative work environments thrive off creativity and efficient problem-solving. An outdoor working space with copious amounts of greenery can recharge moods, increase brain function, and invoke feelings of wonder and awe.
Inspiring creativity can result in improved problem-solving strategies as employees may be more open to collaborating and compromising to complete more tasks quickly as a team.
Attracts Upcoming Talent
In the age where innovative workplaces reign victorious, progressive offices have an advantage over traditional layouts. Younger individuals joining the workforce seek benefits other than competitive wages.
An office’s working environment can affect your employees’ personal lives, so making the best first impression is essential to attracting talent.
Concerns
While working outdoors has benefits, weighing them against potential concerns is vital when determining whether the addition is suitable for your company.
Potential Equipment Failure
Some employers may wonder whether working outdoors could affect equipment. While specific weather conditions are not favorable for outdoor work, technology is often needed to make projects easier to complete.
Employees can prevent damage to their tools and equipment from inclement weather with proper protective gear and outdoor coverage such as umbrellas and awnings.
Less Employee Monitoring
Another legitimate concern for employers is whether an outdoor office space interferes with daily monitoring. Fortunately, you can establish outdoor working environments on company property to ensure employees fulfill their responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
With its advantages, outdoor office spaces can inspire employee productivity and bring innovation to the standard working layout.
WDG Consulting can provide the assistance you need when seeking the best site for your business. Our site selection consultants are knowledgeable and can provide answers to upscale your company.