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The work environment you provide in your business has always been extremely important, as a healthy workplace that employees like coming to can increase productivity, contribute to a healthier workplace culture, foster better relationships between coworkers (and between employees and employers), and contribute to better health and safety in the workplace. After the business shutdowns and lockdown restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the work environment is even more important than ever.
Aside from essential workers, employees in most fields have been able to experience remote work, possibly for the first time. It proved to have some unexpected benefits as well. It turns out that the work environment is full of as many distractions as any other, and being able to work in a comfortable and (mostly) controlled environment has actually improved many workers’ productivity.
Of course, there are plenty of other great benefits of working from home, including no commute, better sustainability, and more time to focus on the job. Even now that employees are starting to return to the office, business leaders are starting to see that a hybrid approach is likely best for the future. If you want to inspire employees to return to the office when it’s necessary, you’ll need to provide an environment that they’ll love in order to compare to the advantages of remote work. Here are a few ways to do it.
Power your business with connected data
One of the best ways to make employees love the time they spend at the office is to provide them with the best technology for the job. Companies that use data-driven insights to build their business processes are generally the most efficient, and they have the happiest employees. Consider solutions offered by Workiva, for example. Workiva Inc. is dedicated to helping businesses automate their data collection from all data sources, so they can gather relevant insights from each source, all in one place.
The self-service data preparation they provide makes it possible for business users of any skill level to collect and manipulate collected data using a simple drag and drop interface. This means that your employees can analyze customer behavior, locate bottlenecks in the supply chain, gather business intelligence, and more to make informed business decisions. This is normally complex work that would require the assistance of your IT team, but with WK solutions, employees across all departments can be empowered to make decisions that reflect your core values.
Incorporate employee wellness programs
Employee Wellness Program is meant to help employees maintain their physical and mental health, and they can inspire greater comradery among team members. A wellness program may offer educational benefits, such as brief classes for employees, so they can learn how to fit exercise and other healthy behaviors into their busy schedules. You might also encourage some healthy competition with wellness challenges that reward employees who go the extra mile.
It’s a good idea to provide education on all mental health resources available to your employees as well, especially after all the extra stressors brought on by COVID-19. Of course, you can also work in presentations on healthy weight management, disease prevention, or any other topics that employees are interested in.
Stock your office with refreshments
Everyone needs the occasional break at work, and keeping your breakroom supply up with healthy refreshments is a great way to show your employees that you appreciate them. In addition to healthy snacks, don’t forget the importance of hydration. Some employees may be hesitant to drink tap water, so water jug delivery can be a great solution.
Sparkletts provides plenty of options for water brands, and you can order spring water as individual bottled water, in 5-gallon bottles, or even larger jugs. You can even get a water cooler and other supplies delivered, so your employees will have everything they need in the office breakroom.
You may also like: 7 Ways To Boost Productivity And Inspiration At Workplace
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