Are you struggling with employee dissatisfaction and a high turnover rate? The problem is likely to grow worse until you address your workplace culture. But how do you create a positive atmosphere at the office? In this article, we’ll share five strategies to transform your workplace into a more engaging and satisfying place for your team.

1. Align Everything With Your Purpose

Communicate a clearly defined purpose for your business, outlining the company’s mission, strategy, and values. Your purpose should be lofty. It should lift employees out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. It should give them a reason to want to get out of bed in the morning and show up at their desk.

Once you have your purpose, commit to surrounding yourself only with people who buy into that purpose. So, when hiring, choose only those candidates captivated by your company’s purpose. Hire only employees who can see themselves working enthusiastically in line with that purpose.

Occasionally, an employee will become dissatisfied and less interested. Address the situation immediately. Perhaps it’s a health issue, personal matter, or professional challenge. Whatever the case, make sure the person receives the assistance they need. If you leave the matter unattended, their lack of enthusiasm can infect co-workers.

2. Get Personable With Your Staff

Get to know your employees. And let them get to know you. One-on-one meetings can be excellent if you’re well-prepared. You must also be a superb listener, allowing the other person to share in the conversation.

Develop a mentor-mentee atmosphere. You and your managers should be generous with your knowledge.

Appoint only managers who want to see employees succeed. Avoid elevating managers who compete with employees and are afraid that talented workers could take their positions.

3. Promote Positivity

One of the frequent complaints of a toxic work culture is degrading speech and conduct. Establish zero-tolerance policies for such behavior as sexual harassment and hate speech. Instead, create a positive workplace environment.

What’s the reaction of your employees when you call them to your office? If it’s primarily fear and anxiety, you likely need to develop a more encouraging tone for your office culture.

Employees shouldn’t see you primarily as a disciplinarian. They shouldn’t immediately think they’re in trouble if you want to speak to them.

You want to have a workplace where people feel free to fail. They know their efforts will be met with applause and their mistakes with gentle correction.

4. Allow Space for Creativity

How much room do you give project teams? Do you oversee every small decision they make? If you want teams to create something original, give them a license to experiment without you looking over their shoulder.

The situation is similar to parents who insist on intruding on every aspect of their children’s lives. But children are likely to be far more creative if allowed some free time alone in the backyard making up their own games with their own rules. The same goes for your team.

5. Set an Example With Honest Communication

Always be honest with your staff. If the business has hit a rough patch, let your employees know. They will respect you more for your honesty.

On the other hand, remaining quiet or being deceitful could negatively impact employee happiness. Rumors that are worse than reality will circulate quickly.

Then company productivity could drop. And employees could begin spending less time on their work assignments and more time looking for new jobs.

Create a Comfortable Workplace Culture

Don’t forget comfort when you’re improving your workplace culture. Happy employees need comfortable office chairs, desks, and equipment that will help keep that smile on their faces.

Workspace Solutions can help address your needs and make suggestions for building a physical workplace where your staff can work in comfort. Get your workplace improvement plan underway now by contacting us today.

How do you like to start your working day? Even if it’s with 20 laps at the pool or a 5-mile run, there’s a good chance the rest of your schedule looks pretty sedentary. 

The average US adult spends around 6.5 hours a day sitting, although this could be as high as 10 hours every day now that more people are working from home. But before you think that a morning workout makes you exempt from expert warnings to move more, an hour of even the most intense activity isn’t sufficient to override this so-called “sitting disease.”

Instead, it’s vital to find ways to add movement during the day, but especially while you’re working. Let’s take a look at some ideas to help you achieve this. 

1. Stretch It Out

A long day of sitting at a desk can cause more aches, pains, and strains to your body than the average gym session. Since you wouldn’t consider hitting the weights or the treadmill without a good stretch, why not start your working day with some energizing morning stretches too?

Pay particular attention to your lower back, shoulders, and hip flexors as these areas often pay the price for bad posture and excessive sitting. Then, if you can, stretch at regular intervals throughout the day to build flexibility and get your blood flowing. 

2. Take a Stand

The best way to avoid sitting all day is by working at an adjustable sit-to-stand desk. While a standing desk might not be the most comfortable choice for a long day at the office, desks that you can sit or stand at mean that you can get the best of both worlds!

3. Set Reminders

You might start off with good intentions to stretch first thing and move at the office. But once you get in the flow of working, you might not notice that you haven’t moved from your seat for hours on end. 

A great way to remind yourself to move more is by setting reminders on your phone, smartwatch, or laptop. Or, there are even apps available that encourage you to get up and take screen breaks at regular intervals.   

4. Go Out of Your Way

You’ve likely read advice to park your car farther from the entrance and take the stairs as ways to add movement during the day.

But while you’re at work, make sure to continue this habit. Walk to restrooms on a different floor, go to speak to colleagues rather than sending emails, and use the farthest water cooler from your desk. You might even make new work friends at the same time!

5. Take an Active Lunch Break

Five minutes of activity here and there is an ideal way to get in some movement while you’re working. But you should also strive to carve out a longer period of activity while you’re on your lunch break. This might involve walking to get your lunch out or taking a walk around the parking lot after a quick sandwich. 

Ways to Move More at Work

As these tips show, there are plenty of ways to move more while you’re working. 

In fact, regular breaks are great for your productivity and creativity levels, as well as your health. You never know, your workplace policy might even insist on regular movement breaks in the future!

Want more information about creating a working environment that encourages employees to move more? Feel free to contact us with any questions or queries!

Team building activities are important at work since it helps build communication, instill trust between colleagues, and improve communication. All this leads to better productivity and success for the business.

Are you looking to find some great team building games that you can incorporate at the office to help your employees build strong working relationships? Then, you’ve come to the right place! 

Here, we’ll give you five of the top games for team building you can add to your workplace environment for the benefit of all. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Trivia

With Trivia, you’ll have your team be asked and answer questions. This works best when you ask employees questions about work-related activities. That way, you can help them learn more about the company itself, what’s new that’s coming to the business, and what projects are currently underway. Lots of questions can be asked here to test their knowledge.

The name of the game is whoever answers the most questions correctly wins!

2. Charades

For charades, a word or phrase has to be acted in front of the other teams. First, you pick your teams and your team leader, then begin! It’s a fun game where the other team has to take a guess at choosing the right action being played out.

You can write the prompts on paper, put them in an envelope, and give them to your opposing team. Topics can relate to movies, characters, or anything business-related too. 

Guess more right than the other team and you’ve won! 

3. Scavenger Hunts

Want to find out how competitive your employees are? A scavenger hunt is a great idea. Here, you hide items around the office and teams have to find them.

There are different ways to win the game. For example, the team to find the most object might come up victorious. Also, you can play it where the team that finds a chosen object first wins. You can put a time limit on it to make the game more interesting and competitive.

4. Fantasy Soccer

With this game, split your employees into workplace teams individually. Have them create a fantasy soccer team each and start a league. It’s based on how the players play in real life, how their statistics weigh up, the goals scored, and any cautions they receive.

The winner is the person whose fantasy team ends up at the top of the league once it finishes.

It’s a fun team builder and can improve employee satisfaction!

5. Get Fit Team Building Games

Want to help your employees get to know each other better while staying active at the same time? Get Fit is perfect! 

Give your employees watches to track their activity levels and for timing. Split them into work teams and watch their mood improve while they boost their energy levels.

You can learn more about fun and friendly ideas for the office in this blog here.

Learn More About Improving Workplace Environment

Team building games are fun. Plus they help your employees get to know one another better and improve relationships within the office. Now, that’s a win-win situation.

Want to find out more about how to improve your work environment? Read some more of our blogs here! We’ve got plenty of information for you.

It’s safe to say that the future of work is digital. In the wake of the pandemic, more companies than ever are offering remote and hybrid workplace solutions. Almost three-quarters of all U.S. companies are using or plan to use a hybrid work model in 2022 and beyond.

Of course, changing to hybrid work is easier said than done. How do you ensure that your office doesn’t lose productivity during the switch?

If you’re not sure how to make the most of your new workspace, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should know about creating a productive hybrid workspace for your team.

Offer Tools and Support

If you plan to offer the option of remote work, it’s crucial to be prepared for the hybrid work challenges that may crop up. Make sure you’ve taken the time to vet and test the tools you’ll be using for both synchronous and asynchronous working. This may mean finding new equipment for your office space to support hybrid work.

In terms of remote employee support, consider providing essential portable equipment like laptops, dual monitors, or smartphones. Providing a stipend for high-speed internet is also a smart move.

Create a New Floorplan

A hybrid office layout can help support your team during both in-person and remote meetings. Though every workplace has different needs, you’ll want to start by reconsidering each area.

Do you have enough collaborative spaces with the right equipment for remote work? Do your employees need assigned seats, or would it be better to try hot desking? Think about how you can use the right ergonomic furniture, offer privacy, and help your team avoid distractions in each area.

Use Thoughtful Work Schedules

One of the challenges of hybrid working is finding the right balance between a fixed and flexible in-office schedule. Rather than requiring employees to be in the office for a set amount of days or times, be thoughtful about these requirements. 

Which of your meetings and activities work best in person? Which ones are just as easy to do remotely?

Brainstorming and problem-solving are often best done in-office, as is the case with engagement and team-building activities. It’s also a good idea to have staff make major decisions or learn challenging skills and strategies in person.

Rethink Processes

Processes that worked well in person may not be as effective during remote work.

Before you make the switch, reimagine your processes for a digital-first environment. This may involve finding ways to automate, streamline, or digitize your current tasks. Each process should be frictionless, meaning that it’s the same no matter where your employees are.

Focus on Engagement

When your team is scattered across the region or around the world, engagement becomes more important than ever. From boosting productivity to employee retention, there are plenty of reasons to focus on engagement. Here are a few key ways to get started:

• Offer helpful tools and support, as mentioned above
• Be transparent about your expectations 
• Make communication accessible
• Give workers the same opportunities for growth they would have in-office
• Make it clear that their experiences and opinions matter
• Be flexible about employees’ needs

These tactics aren’t always easy, but focusing on them can set your employees up for greater success.

Create Your Hybrid Workplace

Though any hybrid workplace will have its challenges, the benefits far outweigh the costs. The option for remote work can offer vast opportunities for your team, boosting their engagement and productivity fast.

As you work to create your new workspace, don’t forget that we’re here to help. For the office furniture and design you need, check out the spaces we create and contact us today.

On average, five to twenty percent of Americans get the flu every year. It happens more often than you’d think and is often very dangerous. Around 8,200 to 20,000 people in the U.S. die every year because of the flu. 

You shouldn’t want this to happen to any of your office workers. Therefore, when flu season rolls around, you need to keep them safe. Read on to get a healthy office guide you can use to prevent office outbreaks this year. 

Help Your Employees Get Flu Shots 

Even employees that want flu shots may struggle to find the time to get them. It can be hard to balance work and life as it is sometimes. Trying to find the extra time to get a flu shot can be nearly impossible when your schedule is already booked. 

You can make it easier for employees to get flu shots by setting up a flu shot clinic in the office. Some vendors can offer services such as these. However, you want to make sure that you screen any of these vendors for quality. 

You may also want to offer an informational flu guide to all of your employees. This may help convince any employees that may not want a flu shot or are on the fence to get a flu shot. 

Practice Flu Season Illness Prevention Measures 

Yes, keeping the office clean is usually the job of the janitorial services. However, germs can spread from person to person easily before the janitors have a chance to clean. You should encourage employees to wipe down the surfaces of office furniture once they’re done using it. 

Another thing you should do for the betterment of office health is to encourage employees to wash their hands. You can do this by posting infographics and having informative meetings about the situation. Providing free hand sanitizer for the employees to use may also make them more likely to keep their hands clean. 

Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home 

It can be difficult for offices to function when there are fewer workers. You may feel tempted to ask employees to come in when they’re sick. However, if you do so, you may make your office even more short-handed. 

You need to encourage sick employees to stay home and recover. Make sure that your office has a reasonable sick policy. You should also stop other workers from bullying a sick worker into staying at the office. 

We Offer Office Furniture That Keeps Your Office Productive 

The flu season is full of dangers that can threaten your office’s productivity levels. However, with careful planning and teamwork, your office should be able to weather it well. Good luck! 

Also, if your office needs a new design and/or new furniture, consider our services. We solve the space and furniture challenges of all kinds of businesses every day. These will reflect your brand, increase productivity, and also do a whole lot more. 

Visit our physical location or contact us today to get started with filling your office space. 

Low office productivity contributes to a $7 trillion loss in the economy. This can occur for many reasons, but one of the most pervasive is poor workplace design.

If you’re a business owner, you need to invest in productive office design. Otherwise, you could risk wasting a lot of time and money.

But how do you achieve peak office productivity?

Luckily, this article is here to help. It covers everything including personal workspaces, environmental design, and ergonomics. Read on to find out more!

Tackling Personal Workspaces

Employees without the right facilities end up feeling stressed and unproductive. To create organized personal workspaces, opt for furniture that has storage space. That way employees can keep clutter out of their main working space. 

Implementing a good office filing and storage system prevents paperwork from piling up. Make sure that you also have recycling and shredding facilities to dispose of waste.

Consider Ergonomics

To get the most out of your employees, it is important to consider their health and comfort. If someone is suffering from fatigue or strain, they are less likely to be productive. Health issues could also lead to costly absences for your company. 

Consider upgrading your office furniture to be more ergonomic. This could involve adjusting the height of chairs or desks to reduce neck strain. You could provide footrests and back-support chairs to allow more natural seating positions. 

Work Environments and Office Productivity

The office environment can profoundly alter the well-being and productivity of your employees. Here are some of the key concepts to consider.

Ventilation and Heating

There is nothing worse than a room that is too hot or too cold. Focus on adding good ventilation, through a good air conditioning or heating system.

Also, make sure to organize your furniture in a way that allows air to flow throughout the office. Placing desks near windows that open and adding office plants can also help with air quality.

Lighting

Increasing the light available in your office is vital to employees’ working abilities. Natural light can decrease eye strain, blurred vision, and headaches by over 80 percent. 

You should install different types of lighting throughout the workspace. Desk lamps and well-spaced ceiling lights are perfect for artificial lighting. Make sure you replace bulbs often to avoid any flickering.

Stress Management

Stressed employees are not productive. Using a biophilic design can be a great way to manage stress. Bringing natural elements into the workplace can boost creative thinking and improve focus.

You can also integrate group working spaces into your office plan. As humans, we love working together to complete tasks. Open-plan offices encourage collaboration and communication. You could also design some more private spaces for quiet small group work. 

Intuitive Workplace Design Solutions!

Creating a well-designed workplace is the root of office productivity. By making a few small changes, you can transform your employee’s quality of work and well-being. 

Workplace Solutions are experts in office furniture and office design productivity. With excellent customer service, they can help you to improve office productivity. They also offer a range of new and used furniture, suitable for all office budgets.

Looking to take your workplace to the next level? Get in contact today to find out more about intuitive workplace solutions!

Looking for ways to increase productivity? A drab and cramped office is no place for productive employees, but space and money are finite. So, how can you upgrade your office design while taking into account the limitations of your budget and space?

A good office space makes for happier, more motivated, and more productive employees, so you don’t want to neglect it. Our office design specialists want to offer some strategies for designing an office that your employees will love to spend time in. 

Keep reading for a few tips that can give your small space the productivity boost that it needs.

1. Lighting Matters

If your space has large windows be sure to utilize them to their maximum potential. A well-lit space is integral to an employee’s peak productivity. 

Natural light makes a difference. It’s shown to be more motivating and to improve the overall quality of life for your employees. 

The artificial lights that we surround ourselves with at work put a strain on our eyes. This comes from phones, computers, and harsh fluorescents. Reducing some of that artificial light (like keeping fluorescent lights to a minimum in exchange for natural light) is a great way to stop your employees from getting fatigued early in the day. 

Keeping your windows open and accessible will also make your space seem larger than it is. 

2. Don’t Neglect Storage

When you’re trying to make the most out of your space, help your employees avoid clutter. Clutter makes it harder for them to stay productive and it makes the space look messy.

To do this, opt for shelving units, desks with ample storage, or personal lockers. These storage areas should be accessible for all employees so that they can grab what they need without interrupting their workflow. 

Fuse from Hon takes storage to the next level and comes in your choice of color to match your workplace design. They also offer keyless digital technology to keep employees’ belongings secure. 

3. Flexible Seating Plans and Areas

If your workplace has different “departments”, don’t try to force everyone to sit with the other people in their section. This might seem counterproductive but think about it. 

Your employees are all working together for a singular goal regardless of their specific job. While sitting amongst other people doing the same job might seem helpful (so they can ask each other questions and stay on task), sitting with other people working on the same project in a different way can help aid collaboration and create new ideas.

Having flexible seating areas that are easy to shift around for “group work” can help your employees’ creativity blossom. 

4. Optional Standing Desks

It’s a fact: Americans sit too much. How can we help it when we spend a third of our time at work? 

Giving your employees the option for a standing desk can help keep them awake all day without the need for somewhere for them to go take a walk and stretch their legs. Not all workplaces have the room for a quick walkabout! 

Picking desks that have the option to be both sitting and standing is a great way to maximize a small space and have happy employees. 

How Is Your Workplace Design?

Is your workplace design set up for productivity and free space or are you setting up your employees for fatigue and failure? 

Happy employees need a calming and decluttered space to work to their best potential. A well-designed space doesn’t just help them, it helps you.

If you’re in the market for furniture to redesign for office space, we’ve got what you need. Visit our site or our Fort Wayne office furniture store to find the perfect furnishings for your business.

Did you know that making your workplace inclusive for everyone can up productivity levels and attract new employees? Having an inclusive workplace is essential. You should go above and beyond what’s required of you by law. 

But how can you incorporate workplace inclusivity in new and interesting ways? Start with your workplace design. Many business owners don’t consider how their workplace design can impact employees.

Continue reading for a few quick design tips for an inclusive workplace.

Remember the Importance of Open Spaces

Having ample space is important for COVID-19 safety. It’s also crucial when it comes to improving inclusivity in your workplace. Having wide-open spaces feels more welcoming than having a cramped office. It allows employees the flexibility to move around, stretch their legs, and collaborate with others who may not sit nearby (more on inclusive seating later on). 

This should also provide more than enough room for someone to navigate the office with a wheelchair, walker, or mobility scooter. You don’t want to exclude workers who need these things when you’re designing your office. 

Allowing more space between desks can also make the environment more comfortable for people who struggle with anxiety or claustrophobia. It’s also good for people who may worry about being (accidentally or otherwise) touched while people move through the office.

A Variety of Work Spaces

In a standard office, most of the employees work in the same types of spaces. They have a desk, an overhead light, a chair, and perhaps some nearby accessories.

This doesn’t promote inclusion or creativity. You won’t be allowing your employees to reach their full potential in this type of environment. 

Remember that everyone has different work styles. For some people, a dim corner with warm lighting will be perfect. Others may want a well-lit space with plenty of room to collaborate. Providing several types of spaces throughout your office will allow your employees to work how they feel best and have more room to grow. 

New and Improved Seating Areas

Think outside the cubicle and desk and consider placing comfortable chairs or couches intermittently in areas that aren’t normal work areas. This will help employees who struggle with mobility and give all of your employees somewhere to rest, decompress, or work in a more comfortable setting. 

You should also consider alternative and innovative seating. If you want to foster an inclusive work environment, make sure that you’re focusing on a new and improved seating arrangement.

Traditional desk seating arrangements can result in accidental segregation. Consider adding flexible seating “pods” so employees have better and easier communication.

It’s also a good idea to have an “alone time” seating area for employees who get overwhelmed while they’re around others.

Always Stay Open to Change

The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to promoting inclusion in the workplace is that you’re trying to suit the needs of as many types of people as possible. As those needs change, you may want to change the workplace as well.

Stay open to influence from your employees and from design experts.

Inclusivity in Design: Are You Doing Your Best?

Workplace design inclusivity isn’t all about having accessible restrooms. By tweaking your workplace desk arrangement, adjusting your seating options, making your entryways more accessible, adding handrails, and improving your parking lot safety, you’ll make a huge difference. 

Are you looking for new furniture for your inclusive and accessible workplace?  What about a total layout overhaul? At Workplace Solutions, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us so we can start working together today.

30% of workers report spending more than 5 hours in meetings each week. With so much time spent in meetings and meeting rooms, it’s important for businesses to really think through their furniture choices in company meeting rooms. The right meeting room furniture can help employees to stay focused and feel valued by the company.

But more goes into the decision than aesthetics and looks, although those can be important aspects. In this post, we’ll go over some of the meeting room furniture choices you can make to ensure your company meetings are comfortable and productive.

1. Ergonomic Chairs

The number one factor in your employee’s comfort during meetings will be the chairs you choose. It’s important to choose good ergonomic chairs that help to support your employees where they need them, especially if you tend to have longer meetings.

You should choose chairs that include features like lumbar support and armrests to help your employees stay comfortable and healthy. You could also consider chairs with breathable mesh backs if your meeting rooms tend to get warm.

2. The Right Table Size

The right table size will depend on the size of the room and the number of people that are usually in a meeting. The table needs to accommodate the right amount of people without getting too crowded.

Tables that are too small will make people uncomfortable and can make it difficult to work. On the other hand, tables that are too large can make communication harder and can inhibit movement around the room.

Multi-purpose tables allow for more versatile meeting rooms. They allow you to easily move and reconfigure the space for each meeting and stow away tables for smaller meetings.

3. Technology-Friendly Furniture

Technology is a big part of many business meetings these days. Choosing furniture that is designed with technology in mind can keep things running smoothly. 

Tables with vertical wire management or built-in outlets and USBs can help to keep employees connected while keeping the room organized and eliminating tripping hazards.

Portable charging towers allow meetings to happen anywhere in the office and can charge laptops and smartphones at the same time. 

4. Color Scheme

The color scheme of your meeting room can play a surprisingly big part in the functionality of the room. Different colors can promote different moods or help to give off a certain image of your company. 

Darker wood furniture tends to give off a traditional and classy vibe, whereas brightly colored furniture is great for younger, more creative businesses.

The furniture material you choose can play a part in this as well. Choose luxury seating and wood tables if you’re trying to give off that more professional and expensive persona, and patterned cloth and metal or glass if you’re looking for something a bit more contemporary. 

Design a Comfortable Company Meeting Room

So much of people’s time at work is spent in meetings, be sure that your conference room furniture is helping to promote focus, comfort, and collaboration. Your company meeting room shouldn’t be an uncomfortable place.

If you’re near Fort Wayne or Warsaw, Indiana, and are in need of workspace solutions, we can help. Contact us today!

Are you finding it difficult to find space for everything in your office?

To work in an efficient and effective manner, you need to keep your office organized. Otherwise, you might find yourself looking for things when you could focus on your projects instead. 

Yet, offices often require you to store a decent number of items without giving you an unlimited amount of office storage space. So, knowing how to take the right advantage of your office storage is essential. Below, we’ll get into everything you need to know about maximizing your workspace storage. Keep reading to learn more!

Have a System

One of the key features of an efficient office space is a well-organized system. Without a system, you might get tempted to shove things wherever they fit best. In the long run, this could cause you to lose important items and documents.

Finding the system that works best for you might take some trial and error. You can start by taking a look at your office space and asking yourself which items you’ll need most often. These might include your computer and a notepad or calendar. Place these on your desk. If possible, they should be within reach when you’re seated.

Next, think about the items you can’t store in cabinets or drawers. For instance, if you have a desktop phone, set aside a space for it on the top of your desk.

You should keep personal items and decorations to a minimum. If you do have them, contain them in one area of your office.

Less-used items can go in your cabinets and drawers. If you have a lockable cabinet, use it to secure your most important documents. 

Know When to Shred and When to File

One of the easiest ways to get disorganized is to have a lot of paper lying around your office. As such, you should know when to shred and when to file your documents.

Many workers use the one-touch rule to keep their desks organized. The rule is simple: when you pick up a piece of paper, read it over quickly and decide whether you want to keep or discard it. If you need to keep it, put it in a file that’s organized either by topic or alphabetical order. That way, you can refer back to it when needed.

To discard your documents, shred them. Shredding prevents pertinent, confidential information from making its way into the wrong hands. 

Get the Right Furniture

The right furniture will make office organization easier. Take stock of what types of office storage you think your workplace needs and then place an order for them. 

You can get office furniture in a variety of sizes or styles. Look around to find the pieces that best match your company’s culture!

Ready to Get Office Storage Solutions?

If you’re looking for office storage solutions, you’ve come to the right place. 

At Workspace Solutions, we don’t just specialize in selling furniture. We help you create office space solutions that work best for you. So, whether you’re looking for a single piece of furniture or a full-on room design, we have something for you!

Ready to get started? Contact us today!