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If you are heading up the opening of a new office space, there is certainly a lot to think about! First, you have to find the right location, then the right space for your company’s needs, then obtain all the modern gadgets needed to do business in the increasingly digital marketplace, then set up all the utilities, then paint the boss’s name on their private parking spot- the list goes on!
One of the most important choices you will have to make, and one that will have a long-term effect on your company’s success, is the choice of office furniture. There are many things to consider here, attractive form, functionality, and ergonomics, the last of which has been found to be inextricably linked to the health and motivation of your employees. People do their best work when they are comfortable and have the things they need to function in their job readily at hand. Let’s look at several of the main pieces that make an office work.
Desks – The nerve centre of any individual’s work duties is their desk, this is where 80% or more of the day’s action is going to happen, so it had best be done right! Desks are not a ‘one size fits all’ item, the desk has to provide the individualized components every unique position needs to function. For example, an accountant’s desk is likely to need plenty of drawers, flat desk space for writing as well as the various calculating devices, and enough shelving to house documents, whereas a graphic designer might need the equivalent of a small art studio, including an adjustable, slanted drawing board to work on, and plenty of open flat space to lay their mock-ups out on.
Chairs – Sacrificing comfort for cost or space here is a big mistake. If you want your employees to do their best work, then they need to stay on station to keep at their tasks, and that usually means sitting down. It is essential that ergonomics play a key role in this choice, and the more comfortable the office chairs are, the better things will be for productivity and worker satisfaction! If you aren’t sure, then take your options out for a test sit, if you can’t last five minutes in one, then try the next!
Storage – Yes, some items are going to be able to fit in those desk drawers, but it’s best to have options beyond that available. Even though the workplace is growing more digitized every day, there is still going to be paperwork, so a sufficient number of file cabinets is a must. You should also consider supplying your employees with personal lockers so they will have a place to keep bulky items that won’t fit in a drawer, or would cause clutter in a cubicle, like umbrellas, commuting shoes, winter gear, and spare clothes.
If you are expecting your employees to stay late and work overtime quite often, then a personal locker becomes a real necessity.
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