How affordable desktop solutions can boost workplace wellbeing and drive productivity

The health and wellbeing of employees in the workplace has never been more topical. In an age where recruiting skilled workers is becoming more difficult and industry wide technological disruption is evolving at such a rapid pace, retaining talent is critical for any organisation looking to thrive and succeed. Vital to that success is the employee experience, which incorporates wellbeing.

Happy and healthy employees will stay longer, however the benefits of addressing workplace wellbeing extend far beyond possible hiring and training cost savings. Instances of absence and illness can be improved through implementing a comprehensive workplace wellbeing policy whilst engagement and productivity can be drastically impacted across the entire workforce. Perceived physical and psychological health contributes significantly to a building occupant’s sense of wellbeing and can be influenced by a number of environmental factors.

Daylight & lighting

Overhead office lighting typically outputs light in the 300 lux range. It is well understood that poor quality light produced by fluorescent tubes can lead to eye strain and headaches and it can be difficult to provide enough good quality lighting that benefits everyone.

Focusing on desktop and individual workspace solutions should feature as part of any company’s overall approach to health and wellbeing. Issues such as the impact of good quality desk lighting can be significant in improving a person’s ability to concentrate, energy and alertness. The advancement in LED technology offers a modern alternative to conventional lighting, delivering improved light quality. Providing affordable desk lamps is easy to implement across an entire office and provides a customisable solution to individual employees.

Indoor air quality

The quality of air has been heavily researched in the workplace. Employees showing symptoms of ill health in the office, such as fatigue and eye irritation, often attribute these symptoms directly to their work environment. Anyone can be affected but workers in open plan offices have been shown to be particularly vulnerable.

People spend approximately 90% of their time indoors where the air can typically be 2-5 times more polluted than outside. It is important to ventilate the air and provide solutions to alleviate any signs of poor air quality before symptoms arise. Pollen is particularly troublesome at this time of year, with around one in five people in the UK suffering from hay fever. Pollen allergies are linked to a decrease in efficiency at work. A study by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit found that sufferers of hay fever were working at only 63 per cent of their normal productivity¹. The development in personal air cleaning technology offers an affordable solution, as these devices can help to effectively remove dust, germs and allergens and help workers feel more alert.

 Acoustics

Distraction from noise can considerably impact productivity and is often quoted as one of the leading causes of distraction in the office environment by personnel. As we seek fresh air and daylight, opening windows only exacerbates this problem as ambient noise from outdoors floods in.

Reverberation time in a typical office is about two seconds (the time it takes for a noise to dissipate). In open plan offices, increased levels of reverberation often results in the need to speak louder as it becomes increasingly harder to hear clearly and concentrate on the task at hand. There is a careful balance to be struck between providing an environment which encourages collaboration and one that condones noise distractions.

Dividing up workspaces and deploying noise reducing technologies is an effective way to drastically reduce the negative impact of background noise. Utilising existing wall space to install noise absorbing panelling can effectively reduce reverberation times. Aim for a comfortable reverberation time of one second as this is the recommended level for an office environment.

Ergonomics

Retrofit health and wellbeing products empower employees to take charge of their own wellbeing and proactively search for products that suit their individual needs. Ergonomics of the workspace cover support for the back, neck, eyes, wrists and legs and are a key factor in the overall wellbeing of the workforce. However the UK lags behind its European counterparts in this area.

Sit-stand desks have been hailed as a breakthrough for cutting the prolonged periods of sedentary work in the office. Giving employees the option to stand for a few hours during their day can significantly contribute to a more energetic workforce and is a simple initiative employers and those responsible for the work environment can implement company-wide.

Impactful solutions

According to research carried out by ACCO Brands last year, nearly half of office workers expressed an interest in products specifically aimed at improving the overall environment of their workplace. If each employee is given the opportunity to enhance their own wellbeing and personalise their workspace, businesses can expect significant returns. Current estimates suggest that every £1 spent on improving workplace wellbeing represents between £3 and £6 in productivity and efficiency gains².

Explore the comprehensive range of Rexel ActiVita wellbeing products, including Daylight Lamps, Air Cleaners and Noise Reducing Panels, and Kensington’s ergonomic solutions by visiting: www.rexeleurope.com

Sources

¹ National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester

² Dame Carol Black, policy adviser on work and health to the UK government