So far, I have already mentioned three kinds of spaces: the open-plan office, the focus workspace where distractions are unwanted and an environment where you can make calls without bothering other people. I have also discussed some easy solutions to make working on a laptop more comfortable and effective. However, employers who are considering implementing the aforementioned solutions should remember that their employees are their most valuable asset. Above all, they should keep the following in mind:
always put your staff's mental and physical health first.
An employee who is both mentally and physically fit will make the biggest contribution to their organisation. That requires more than a good work environment, a desk and a chair.
The (often overlooked) mental factor
As an employer, you have thought about the various types of workspaces in your office environment. You offer your employees a nice range of accessories to make working on a laptop a lot more comfortable and productive. Yet there is another challenge to overcome. Earlier on, we mentioned the 24-hour society where your work never really stops. We also discussed the information overload that comes with being available anywhere and anytime. How can you offer your employees some much-needed peace of mind? How can you bring about a behavioural change?
Of course, you could instruct them in the ins and outs of healthy and efficient computer-based work. You can do that by talking to your staff and explaining the dos and don'ts of flexworking. Furthermore, you can regularly check in to see how they are doing. These are all basic tasks that come with being an employer. Is it enough, though?
Realising a lasting behavioural change and adopting healthy and efficient methods for computer-based work requires more than occasionally informing your employees. Behavioural change is a challenging process that begins with awareness and can be embedded with permanent coaching. Does this mean you have to assign a personal coach to every employee? Of course not; there are smart tools you can use instead. There are software solutions that can make employees more aware of their behaviour and support the adoption of healthy and efficient methods for computer-based work.
Research shows that frequent moments of mental and physical exercise can help your employees stay more focused and energetic, make fewer mistakes and improve the overall quality of their work (source: Chevron research).
Frequently recharge your mind and body
We all have an extremely powerful computer in our heads. Unfortunately, we cannot hook it up to a power outlet like a laptop in order to perform optimally all day long. After 40-50 minutes of non-stop work, your brain starts to become tired, which slows your pace and increases your chance of making mistakes. By regularly engaging in some mental and/or physical exercise during so-called pitstops, your brain and your body can recharge and you can get back to work feeling fit and focused. By frequently taking short pitstops, your average pace and performance level will increase during the day, you will be less tired and you will finish your workday feeling more energised than before.
Your brain needs at least three minutes to mentally detach itself from the work you were doing. Taking a three-minute pitstop after every 40-50 minutes of computer-based work to recharge your body and mind is good for all.
Did you know that sitting down all day has a detrimental effect on your creativity? On the other hand, alternating between sitting down and walking around will actually maximise your creativity. Taking a three-minute walk every hour will therefore not only improve your health and boost your performance level, but it will also make you more creative.
Benefits for employer and employee alike
By regularly engaging in a bit of mental and physical exercise, you also become more aware of your work behaviour and will frequently take brief pitstops to momentarily disengage from your work. You will find that this keeps you optimally efficient and productive. You will get more done during a workday
and will feel more energetic at the end of the day.