Gary Herald, Sodexo Senior Vice President
In the blog post, Workplace Design for the Generations, we covered how the workplace should be designed to accommodate different generations. There are other factors about the work space that also impact employee wellness and productivity. Some key factors that we routinely come across are below.
Technology – It is not just the “plug and play” Y generation that has high expectations for technology in the workplace. New technologies have given all workers greater mobility and have increased the demand for alternative, multipurpose workspaces with ubiquitous power and wireless capabilities. Ready access to the right technology — including electronic whiteboards, plasma screens, projectors, and video conferencing, as well as computing — enables communication and performance at every level, for every age group.
Sustainability – The contribution of the sustainability movement to a healthy environment should not be underestimated. It is important to consider the ways that a green perspective in planning and design can improve individual and organizational welfare. For example, extensive use of glass along window walls and as fronts for inside offices allows employees to enjoy abundant natural light, a sense of openness and views to the outside. To supplement natural light, computerized lighting systems that employ daylight dimming and occupancy-sensing controls deliver light with maximum efficiency. Air quality and temperature control – keys to comfort – can be enhanced by the use of raised flooring that provides the foundation for under-floor HVAC, wiring and cable.
Air Quality – Indoor air quality is a serious issue, especially in offices without operable windows. Here the careful specification of furniture, wall- and floor coverings, and paints with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) levels help to prevent unhealthy off-gassing. When these same furnishings are sustainable products — recycled products, products that can be recycled after use, and those that can be maintained using environmentally responsible products — the office provides an even higher return on environmental well-being.
What factors impact your workplace?