The job market has become extremely competitive, and employees now care about far more than just the role. As a result, companies are having to work harder than ever to attract new staff. This includes offering more attractive places of work that fulfil employees’ needs beyond traditional needs such as job security, payment and progression opportunities.
Employees now value flexible working environments, and the idea of being stuck in the same spot looking at the same four walls every day has become a little archaic. To correct this, many workplaces now offer attractive outdoor spaces as part of their office, and there are several good reasons for this.
Here are four benefits of adding an outdoor area to your workplace.
Employee Satisfaction
Outdoor spaces don’t have to be for leisure, and offering your team an outdoor working option during warmer months will likely be greatly appreciated. As already mentioned, team members no longer want to be stuck in the same position for eight hours a day, and you’ll need to put plans in place to offer your staff a more flexible setup.
If you are based in a country where rainfall and cold temperatures are common, adding an external working space can be a big job as you’ll need to make sure areas are sheltered and weatherproof so furniture isn’t damaged during colder seasons.
If your goal is to offer a more flexible working environment, make sure you have considered factors such as comfort, warmth and even wifi connection.
Increased Productivity
Most business owners would see office renovations as a cost rather than an investment. But it’s important to consider what you get back from elevating your workspace. As outlined above, creating a more flexible environment will likely increase employee satisfaction which should in turn raise productivity levels.
An attractive, well-maintained outdoor space may be seen as a great place for a brain break which should see reduced stress levels and improved mood amongst workers.
The impact of a more motivated workforce will depend on the nature of your business. To some businesses, it may mean taking on more clients while to others it may lead to more products being able to be produced in a day. Either way, there is a strong chance that increasing productivity will lead to a more efficient and more profitable company.
Promotes Employee Interaction
A strong culture can drastically impact the success of a business, and culture stems from the relationships between employees. Adding an external space to your office is a great way to promote employee interaction.
It provides a social environment that can be enjoyed for leisure activities during lunch or even to be enjoyed after work for team bonding. Both of these can help to develop stronger relationships between employees which should help to develop a stronger company culture.
Attract Better Talent
While office renovations will be appreciated by your current workforce, it is also a great way to make a company more attractive to potential new employees. You’ll be able to mention your enhanced working environment in job advertisements which could attract a higher level of applicants.
Seeing as businesses are only as strong as the people who work for them, this could be a benefit which takes a business to the next level.
There are many different ways to add an outdoor working environment to your office, and projects come in all shapes and sizes. For larger projects, you may even need to turn to a plant hire company that can help bring your big ideas into reality.