Organisations who want to increase employee involvement may be surprised to find out that almost a quarter of employees are neither involved nor detached, but somewhere between the two. They may not be actively harming the organisation but they are also not benefiting it. They are a major part of the workforce and a small increase in their involvement can have an impact on business performance. This can be achieved by making some significant changes to the work environment.
Employees should have the choice and control to decide when and how they work.
Studies show that employees need time to focus but also need other times to collaborate. Some people prefer to be alone and in a quiet area, while others prefer to be in an environment with lots of activity. You must be able to choose the best option for a particular day. When you are planning your next office renovation, make this priority.
Collaboration should be enhanced and promoted, particularly for teams that are based at different locations. Consider Corporate Team Building. A fun Corporate Team Building activity can be found at 270 Climbing.
Collaboration is key in any workplace. However, the design of the workspace must also support different styles of collaboration. Project space, for example, can be designed to accommodate intense activity for three to six participants, and include whiteboards, technology to share digital content, and high seating positions to encourage brain activity. This will be a very different set-up from that required to meet with clients or suppliers, engage in a videoconference or conduct a training session.
Researchers have found that employees who are more engaged have access to separate concentration areas from their co-workers. Neuroscience teaches that multitasking is not possible and that staying focused takes energy. According to University of California researchers, our ability to concentrate and focus is affected by distractions that occur every three minutes. It is important that employees who work in an open-plan office are able to maintain a balance between constant contact with their coworkers and moments of privacy.
Roger Walker