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The environment in which we work can take a surprising toll on wellbeing and productivity, but smart design can take the stress out of office life.
In today’s hectic world, mental health concerns are impacting significant swathes of the Australian workforce, and real estate professionals are no exception.
Worrying research has found that only 50 per cent of Australian employees feel their leadership team considers mental health as important as workplace performance, despite federal data showing that mental ill-health costs the Australian economy $220 billion per year.
In the real estate sector, around 30 per cent of property managers have experienced a severe mental health crisis, while sales agents frequently suffer burnout.
What can agencies do to improve employee wellbeing? According to the latest scientific research, one solution lies in office design.
A report by Aquablu found that strong office design can boost employee happiness by 33 per cent and decrease employee turnover by 58 per cent.
Here are three top ways to improve workplace design:
1. Quiet spaces
Open plan offices have become the norm, but a recent survey found that 58 per cent of employees need more quiet spaces, and 54 per cent find the office environment “too distracting”.
According to commercial firm Savoy Stewart, solo pods, quiet booths and phone-free areas offer employees a crucial opportunity for deep, focused work.
Offering a variety of spaces also gives employees the autonomy to switch up their day by moving between different environments.
2. Greenery
Adding plants to the workplace can have a positive effect on both mental and physical health.
A Norwegian study found that introducing indoor plants led to a decrease of 25 per cent in ill health symptoms, including fatigue, headache, poor concentration, cough and dry skin.
The known scientific benefits of plants has led to a burgeoning field called biophilic design: creating indoor environments that “foster positive and sustained interactions” with the natural environment, such as through outdoor views, indoor-outdoor design, and an abundance of greenery both inside and outside the office, as Lewis Silkin explained.
3. Natural light
According to the Harvard Business Review, natural light is the single most important factor employees desire for their workplaces.
Nearly one in two employees reported feeling tired from the absence of natural light in their office, with 43 per cent reporting feeling gloomy.
Maximising access to natural light through smart design has the potential to profoundly improve employee happiness.
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