How to Enhance Employee Experience and Organisational Success

The benefits of thorough workplace strategy and design.

The average person spends 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. Let that sink in. This statistic demonstrates the immense influence that workplace design has on our everyday lives, our health and wellbeing. 

Creating spaces that go beyond "just work" 

The workplace is a significant enabler of routines, habits, and daily ebbs and flows. Therefore, an office space should be more than just a functional area; it should be a canvas where individuals can express their fullest selves. 

Given the evident impact on our everyday wellbeing, it’s pertinent that staff should be involved in the design of the workplace. Empowering employees with choice about how, where, and when they work fosters much-needed engagement.

Engaging your workforce in workplace design is not just beneficial; it's a powerful tool for change. 

However, a lack of employee buy-in can lead to workspaces that hinder satisfaction, efficiency, and productivity. Conversely, studies have linked employee-driven workplace design with increased productivity and high levels of engagement and satisfaction. 

Empowering employee engagement in workplace design 

The first step in empowering employee engagement in workplace design is to educate employees about its benefits. Sharing the design process and actively seeking feedback throughout ensures that employees feel valued and heard. Encouraging involvement and improvement in company culture and wellbeing fosters employee’s sense of ownership and investment in their workplace. 

• Physical work environment: Gather input on communication methods, collaboration spaces, quiet zones, and amenities like breakout areas or indoor greenery. 

• Productivity: Understand employees' preferences regarding work schedules, workspace layout, and tools that facilitate productivity. 

• Employee wellbeing: Initiate discussions about how the workplace can support physical and mental health, considering factors like activity-based working, active design, and flexibility. 

What is the connection between workplace strategy and design?

Well before designers are briefed and set out to design, workplace strategy is an important first step in the journey to inform the eventual design. Through a thorough understanding of a business’ goals, employee needs, space utilisation, technology, and sustainability requirements, workplace strategists and interior designers can work together to create solutions to any workplace’s pain points.

Key features of workplace strategy and design include:

• Understanding business goals: Aligning the physical workspace with the business’ mission and values is a critical step at the outset of workplace strategy.

• Assessing employee needs: Balancing areas within the workspace for different needs and preferences through qualitative and quantitative research. 

• Assessing space utilisation: Optimising the office layout to enhance productivity and efficiency is an essential aspect of workplace strategy. 

• Incorporating technology: Integrating cutting-edge tech solutions to support seamless communication and collaboration is critical to any contemporary workplace, especially as hybrid working has become normalised.

• Prioritising sustainability and wellbeing: This can involve promoting employee’s caring for the environment, and addressing their physical/mental wellbeing through design elements such as planting as seen below, quiet zones and optimisation of natural light.

The integration of planting at Thinktank North Sydney.

The convergence of effective workplace strategy and design 

The implementation of effective workplace strategy and design relies upon a comprehensive assessment, the creation of bespoke design plans, ongoing collaboration, and effective change management; there are a lot of moving parts. These steps ensure that the final workspace supports employees wellbeing and capabilities, while reflecting and bolstering organisational goals. 

Why integrate workplace strategy and design?

A workplace that functions better and supports all employees, alongside business goals, is a no-brainer. Workplace strategy and design can deliver these significant results for any business willing to put in the time to understand what makes their people tick. Through Sheldon’s decades of experience, we’ve come to understand the significance of creating tailored approaches that align with our clients' goals and cultures. Sheldon’s methodology focuses on understanding objectives, dissecting challenges, and pinpointing catalysts for change to create impactful work environments. 

This article was written by Sheldon's in-house Workplace Design Strategist. She collaborates closely with client leadership and employees to gather data, ensuring validation of crucial ideas for project success. Her expertise informs workplace strategies aimed at designing innovative workplaces that drive success. For workplace strategy queries or advice, please contact salesrequest@sheldon.com.au