Do you have an employee wellness room in your office building or modern workspaces? Can you imagine being asked that question 20 years or even 10 years ago? MLive Hub downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan has one. AOL Headquarters and Yext Headquarters in New York, NY have nap rooms. So does The Huffington Post.
Matter of fact, Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and author of the book The Fourth Instinct, the Call to the Soul has learned that when she takes time to nap and relax regularly she is actually able to accomplish more than when she was working 16 hour days seven days a week. Corporations are learning that the modern workplaces of today are not the 24/7 Dilbert model cubicle farms from the past.
Modern Workspaces and Creative Office Design Ideas Reduce Employee Absenteeism, Turn Over and Burn Out
Current data shows offices with employees who are always ‘on’ are not the most productive. In modern workspaces we are tied to computers and phone systems channeling communication non-stop. Deadlines are tighter, workloads are bigger, technology is evolving and the world is getting smaller. When we consider the pace of work life and the impact on overall health, wellness and vitality of the workforce it is no surprise corporations are researching office design ideas and implementing modern workplaces to help and improve employee health and wellbeing. The result is increased employee productivity and efficiency.
“When longer working hours have an adverse effect on worker health, owing to fatigue and work stress, they tend to keep labour productivity below its potential.“ – Lonnie Golden
Stepping away from the computer screen for even five minutes helps to reset the brain and increase body wellness and response. Collaborative spaces including open office environments encourage employee interaction and creativity. Incorporating creative tools and outlets fosters innovation and community that helps to increase morale and problem solving skills.
Inspiration for office design ideas in modern workspaces
- employee wellness rooms: include space for massages or yoga classes
- video gaming rooms
- ping pong, fooseball and pool tables in collaborative spaces
- whiteboard walls and chalkboard walls throughout the office: encourage employees brainstorming and creativity
- kitchens: natural congregation spaces and encourages healthy eating
- glass interior architectural walls: increase daylight harvesting and enhance employee health and wellbeing
- demountable wall system: options for reconfiguration of ever changing modern workspaces
- bar area for after hours networking and social events
- outdoor space encouraging relaxation and collaboration: vegetable and herb gardens, outdoor games, etc.
It’s not only conventional or modern workplaces that suck away our energy during the day either. Right now, work travel, workshops, and high energy tradeshows are gearing up for the year. During the month of June, Chicago will be crawling with interior designers, architects, facility managers, and sustainable building supply dealers and representatives for NeoCon 2014, and the 2014 National AIA Convention ‘Design With Purpose’.
In an effort to relieve the stress and overwhelm for attendees NxtWall has re-configured the demountable wall systems in the Chicago showroom. The NxtWall showroom is located just north of the Merchandise Mart in the Kenzie Design Center. The relaxing and meditative theme for this year’s showroom will highlight sustainable office design ideas utilizing architectural walls. Just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the Merchandise Mart lies an oasis of bamboo shoots, smooth river rocks and trickling water feature walls that is the 2014 NxtWall Showroom. The zen-like quality of this year’s space is meant to offer a reprieve from the hectic pace, a chance to unwind and de-stress with a cocktail while catching up with email in peace or just taking a quiet break.
Call it a nap room, zen room, employee wellness room or chill-axing space, modern workspaces that cater to the need and comfort of the employee provide a high return on investment (ROI) by attracting and retaining top level recruits who are productive and creative when it matters most. To incorporate a wellness room into an existing workspaces small adjustments could even be made with an underutilized area. NxtWall architectural walls can be installed quickly for a small investment with high returns.
If you are in the heart of Chicago in June or throughout the year check into the showroom and see for yourself. Center your mind with creative and sustainable office design ideas for the best modern workspaces to improve performance and reduce stress at the same time!
For those who will be Chicago for NeoCon or AIA Convention please review the following schedule during June 6 -11, 2014. For those who are interested in becoming Nxtwall dealers or representatives and prefer to have a private meeting, please call or email today with a time that works best and we will block out a time to meet with you.
Fri-Wed – 1:00-8:00pm – Relax with NxtWall Open to Public
Fri-Wed – 9am-12am – By Private Appointment
Sun 5pm-8pm – Friends of NxtWall Invitation Only
Tues 5pm – Relax with NxtWall Open to Public
More reading:
Nxtwall Office Showroom Hours June 6 -11
The effects of working time on productivity and firm performance: a research synthesis paper
