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The world’s best workplaces and how you can enhance your company with a ‘happy office’

Have you ever wondered which companies offer the best working environment to their employees? Brands worldwide strive to create that perfect office. Whether you try to boost staff morale or increase their productivity, there are many reasons you should invest in how your office looks and feels. Here, we discuss how your décor can benefit your business and what you should do to incorporate key interior design trends which will enhance your brand.

Why is a ‘fun office’ important for a business?

Research has discovered that games, activities and quirky interior design features really can put you ahead of the game. The Centre of Economic and Business Research found that absenteeism costs the UK economy £18 billion in lost productivity, with this figure expected to increase to £21 billion by 2020.

It’s essential to make the workplace a positive, communicative place to be as this can keep the team’s spirits high, which can even help with any anxiety or depression issues. Mental health charity, Mind, conducted a poll of more than 12,000 workers in 2017, which found that 48% of public sector employees and 32% of private sector workers have taken time off their jobs due to mental health issues. Could creating an environment that promotes happiness, staff welfare and communication help staff members discuss worries and issues before they get to the stage where time off is necessary?

Pushing for workplace positivity beneficial is advantageous from both an employee perspective and for the business as a whole. According to statistics from the Centre for Mental Health, it costs £21.2 billion in lost productivity, £10.6 billion in sickness and £3.1 billion in staff turnover to cover the costs of mental health problems at work. Clearly, there are both personal and financial reasons to support investing in your workplace’s ethos and environment — but where can you get your inspiration?

Innovative office design trends

2018 has brought some amazing office spaces. However, you don’t have to be global conglomerate or billion-pound company to get in on the trend. Here is a selection of some of the best offices in the world and how they work to boost staff morale and productivity.

BBC  

In Salford, the BBC has a futuristic-style base for the brand in the north west. With security guards monitoring the area on Segways and a quirky combination of bold and bright colours, this office creates a sense of innovation and positivity. There’s also a real focus on collaboration at BBC MediaCityUK, with lots of multi-coloured ‘thought wheel’ chairs that arch over to encapsulate the seated grouped and plenty of comfy sofas dotted around the entire office for quick chats and spontaneous mindmap sessions.

Corus Entertainment

Corus Entertainment is located in Canada and the company invested £119 million into its headquarters, Corus Quay. Stepping into here in the morning, staff are greeted by giant TVs, board meeting tables inspired by ice hockey, and even a three-storey slide! The designers here have really focused on visual stimulation — swapping the boring for the interesting to boost levels of engagement.

SelgasCano

This architect business is based in the Spanish city of Madrid and has to be seen to be believed. Built half submerged in the ground to make the office cooler in summer and warmer in winter, staff are presented with stunning views of the sprawling, tranquil forest every day. As vast open spaces and natural environments often inspire calm and relaxation, this is a nice touch from the designers.

Google

We already know about the zany interior designs in the company’s American offices, but are you aware of their Zurich base? Here, staff get free massages and a wine cellar. What’s more, the site is cleverly located near the beautifully peaceful Lake Zurich, making it ideal for mind-clearing nature walks during work breaks. Clearly, thought has gone into de-stressing! Not only is relaxation important for Google staff, but it appears that socialisation is crucial, too. At 5pm, employees reportedly head to the office bar for drinks, snacks and a catch-up with their peers!

money.co.uk

The £3 million office in Cirencester, Gloucestershire is awash with unique and quirky décor. With a gym, games room, cinema, and offer of free food; the emphasis is on fun at this workplace. When it comes to inspiring productivity and communication, the informal seated areas and open-plan design create a sense of inclusivity and participation — perfect for getting the most out of team meetings and encouraging all staff members to voice concerns and suggestions.

Innovative office design trends

It’s clear that the scope is humongous when it comes to how you go about creating the best working environment. Here are some tips for transforming your office into a positive and collaborative environment that your staff will enjoy.

Make your meeting rooms inclusive and interactive

Do you want to encourage leadership development in your workforce? If so, the design of your meeting rooms is essential. Instead of drab, small, stuffy rooms; create a selection of spruced-up spaces featuring comfy furniture and big, circular tables to help everyone relax and get involved.

Invest in positive colours

Colours classed as warm and ‘happy’ include orange and yellow and are said to promote positivity. So, consider painting your office or purchasing furniture in these shades. According to research, blue and green promote relaxation and calm, so perhaps make your communal zones these shades to help staff unwind on their breaks.

Create spaces for relaxation

Offering suitable spaces for employees to ‘zone-out’ when needed is a popular tactic in successful businesses. No matter how small your office, you can always create a ‘time-out’ zone. A few comfy chairs and perhaps a selection of books and magazines will suffice. If possible, you could hook up a TV or even buy a table football stand.

Go ‘open plan’

Why don’t you make your office space open plan? This will help to promote communication. As Steve Jobs once said: “Ideas don’t happen in the boardroom, they happen in corridors.” Install low dividers instead of walls so that people don’t feel segregated — this can even cut the cost of construction and office equipment.

Utilise visuals

Make sure you use artwork to add colour and character to your space so that you don’t just see the same old plain walls. Customise posters and canvases to drive home your company’s mission statement and show all your staff that they are working towards a collective goal every day.

Make it unique

It doesn’t have to be as quirky as the ideas stated early, but make sure you personalise your space to suit your brand and employees. Why not let staff customise their desks? This may help them feel more valued and they could bring in items that inspires or calms them during stressful days.

Freebies

Not every company can lavish their employees with big gestures such as trips abroad. However, that’s not to say you can’t treat your staff to something now and then to keep up morale. Anything from free snacks in the communal kitchen to a quarterly team-building exercise outdoors will work towards creating a positive workplace culture that shows employees that you appreciate their efforts.

Be sure to start planning your office transformation today…

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