How To Improve Your Workplace Environment: 28-Step Guide

Want to understand how to improve your workplace environment? Then you are in the right place.

Work does not must be tiring; it can be fun and productive! Your management style has a significant impact on workplace culture and employee satisfaction, so treat people with respect and compassion when they’re struggling with difficult interpersonal issues.

Ultimately, improving the quality of your workplace can help improve employee productivity and performance. Remember the ultimate goal: you want to create a good, fun, and reliable workplace where everybody feels valued and valued.

How to Improve Your Workplace Environment:

1. Organize frequent social gatherings for workers to get to know one another.

Monthly or weekly events will give employees a much needed break while allowing them to get to know one another outside of the office. Cool activities include bowling, hiking, art workshops, cooking classes, escape rooms and dinners.

To set the activities your employees enjoy, ask them what they like to do outside of work.

2. Once or twice a month, organize weekly staff lunches.

Eating out together is an awesome way to connect with co-workers, particularly if you have lots of new employees who aren’t open with the group yet. If possible, take your entire staff out for lunch once a month or bring a buffet to work.

Encourage employees to discuss themselves while they eat (eg, their interests outside of work, favourite movies, favourite childhood memories, aspirations).

3. Play games with colleagues to increase their energy and delight of work.

Quick quizzes, treasure hunts and card games can help relieve tension and increase the energy level in the room. It will also allow employees to view their colleagues more kindly.

Playing games with them that encourage them to laugh and have fun is also an icebreaker that enables employees to get to know one another better.

4. Ensure new employees are well prepared for their jobs by pairing them with existing employees.

Having co-workers can help new employees become more familiar with the company culture. It will also give them someone to talk to if they’ve a problem or question. Assign the newcomer to someone with similar interests so both employees feel more snug.

Peer support systems can help new employees make positive introductions to the workplace, increasing the likelihood that they will like their job.

5. Assign people to groups based on their common interests and traits.

If you are assigning employees to group assignments, pair them with people you know will enjoy working with them. To achieve effective collaboration, consider work style, interests and personality type.

For example, pairing two Type “A” perfectionists can be challenging because they may waste time and energy fighting over control of the project.

6. Encourage employees to actively listen to commands of respect.

By looking them in the eye, facing them, and rejecting distractions, you can give the person you are addressing your undivided attention. Listen to what they’ve to say and do not try to come up with an answer while doing so.

To show you are listening and paying attention, nod repeatedly and use short affirmative comments like “uh-huh,” “I see,” or “right.”

Make sure you do not recognize the same two or three people every week.

7. Hold frequent training sessions so employees do not get bored.

Providing employees with opportunities to improve and learn new skills shows that you value their work and believe in their ability to succeed. When considering opportunities for new skills or development in the workplace, keep your employees’ career aspirations in mind.

For example, if you’re the manager of an advertising agency, provide effective public speaking training so that employees can present themselves better to clients.

If you’re a public school principal, hire a child psychologist to train instructors in mindfulness methods and the discipline of compassion.

8. Encouraging fair competition between groups of employees by providing rewards.

A little little bit of healthy competition can increase productivity—make sure to divide employees into teams to increase communication and camaraderie. Providing gift cards, cinema tickets or other incentives to the winning team is very useful.

When grouping individuals, keep personality types in mind to avoid unnecessary confrontation.

9. Encourage employees to meet together informally.

Allow employees to meet and discuss projects they’re working on outside of the weekly meeting to provide time and space for feedback and collaboration. This can be a more relaxed separate meeting room for unscheduled open table discussions.

Weekly meetings can be useful, but they can take up more time than it is worth, so provide time and space for workers outside of their weekly routine to meet and brainstorm ideas.

Allow employees to hold weekly meetings on a rotating basis to maintain flexibility. This will let you vary the structure to avoid monotony and permit individuals to discuss topics that are important to them.

10. Make good use of online communication tools.

Giving employees the tools they need to communicate with one another at any time helps them complete group assignments without stress or wasted time. For example, use online communication tools so employees can video chat or contact one another without leaving their workplace.

Slack is an easy tool for communicating, sharing files, and having group chats.

You can use Redbooth (1) or Basecamp to communicate, assign tasks, and monitor progress.

If you want your employees to be capable to message one another and make video calls, Microsoft Lync is a great choice.

11. Recruit team players and do not be afraid to fire those who do not live up to expectations.

Employees are the heart and soul of any company, and they need to work together to attain fruitful results. See if employees display teamwork skills, note who does not, and be prepared to fire them for the great of the team. Team players have the following qualities:

• They can be counted on to meet deadlines, maintain good relationships with coworkers, and produce quality work.
• They have excellent communication skills and depend upon the opinions of others.
• They take advantage of opportunities and go further, sometimes taking on additional responsibilities.
• They adapt to situations and do not whine or worry when things change.
• They approach their work with commitment and enthusiasm and encourage other team members to do the same.

12. Set clear and reasonable deadlines for project completion.

State clearly what you want to do and when you expect it to be done. Clarifying expectations can help employees manage their time more effectively and avoid the anxiety caused by looming deadlines or unclear goals. To reduce the stress of taking on responsibilities that an employee may perceive as Sisyphean work, be realistic about workload and time.

Instead of saying, “I need a comprehensive proposal as soon as possible,” you can add, “I’d like to see a draft proposal this afternoon so the team can comment on it and you can finalize it by lunch tomorrow.”

13. Get to know your employees to instill trust and respect.

Spend some time with them and ask about their family, hobbies, favourite foods and history. This will show that you care about and value them as people, not just as colleagues.

Set aside 20 minutes a week to talk to colleagues over coffee or tea.

Set weekly 15-minute conversation breaks and offer group assignments to encourage employees to get to know one another.

Do team building exercises during staff meetings, such as talking openly about your interests.

Encourage employees to bring photos of their family and pets to work.

14. Use positive reinforcement to boost morale and increase productivity.

If you work for or with employees, praise them often for their efforts. This will improve their attitude and motivation. Positive reinforcement can take many forms, from publicly praising hard work to giving awards.

Consult your employees to see how they feel about public praise, as some people may not want to be the center of attention.

15. Provide food and drink for workers anytime possible.

Employees will feel refreshed and energized if they’ve something to eat during their short breaks. This will foster a more collaborative atmosphere. If your budget allows, you can put coffee, tea, almonds, fruit, fresh vegetables, or snack trays in the kitchen or conference room so employees can recharge their minds and bodies.

At your monthly employee lunch, consider bringing breakfast tacos with you.

If you have the means to provide employees with free beer and wine, first consider their needs (for example, if someone has disclosed they’ve an addiction problem) and how alcohol might affect their health, attention, and quality of work.

16. Increase the number of days that require casual wear.

Employees will welcome the opportunity to wear their favourite sweatpants to work, and several studies have shown that casually dressed days increase productivity and job satisfaction.

17. Include a clear code of ethics in the worker handbook.

A clear code of ethics is important for informing employees of what actions will and won’t be acceptable in the workplace. Describe the disciplinary action that can be taken as a consequence of harassment, discrimination, or substance abuse in the workplace. Give examples so everybody understands what harassment or discrimination means.

For example, telling racist jokes or demonstrating religious intolerance could result in a brief suspension or sensitivity training.

The employee handbook should also cover company policies, communication practices, workplace culture, compensation, performance evaluation, employee privileges, and resignation or termination procedures.

18. Interpersonal conflicts must be discussed openly and politely.

If you try to solve problems between colleagues, talk to them one by one. Listen to their concerns and develop strategies for resolving disputes so that every party feels heard and revered. If you and your colleagues disagree, speak with them freely and politely to find a mutually agreeable solution.

Be aware that troubleshooting may require some concessions.

Listen to everybody’s complaints impartially.

Instead of focusing on personality, pay attention to actions (for example, replace “Kate is selfish” with “Kate is acting selfishly”).

19. Teach underperforming employees how they can improve.

If an employee is not doing their job to the better of their ability or causing conflict at work, give him an opportunity to grow and improve his behavior rather than punishing him bluntly. Let him know what he can improve, and if necessary, teach him new skills that will help him perform better.

For example, if an employee consistently dominates group discussions and interrupts others, pull him aside after the meeting and say something like: “I like your willingness to express your opinion, but interrupting and talking about other people is not helpful. Please take a step back so everybody can have their say. “

If the behavior does not change, send a formal letter to the worker outlining what they need to do to improve and what will occur if they do not.

However, if it involves theft, physical aggression, harassment or other forms of inappropriate behavior, terminate the worker instantly.

20. When employees report sickness, adhere to the policies you have set.

If an employee reports sickness, do not hesitate to ask for the reason for his or her absence and record it. If an employee feels unwell for more than three consecutive days, you must obtain a medical certificate.

Don’t make employees feel bad if they report sick—they cannot bring a cold or flu to work!

If you have an employee handbook, make sure to include absence guidelines in it.

21. Assist employees in overcoming mental health difficulties.

If an employee or co-worker discloses that she or he has a mental sickness, resources should be made available to help. This may include conducting mental health self-assessments, implementing programs to improve coping with stress and depression, and providing free or subsidised therapy.

Don’t be aggressive or try to play the doctor—it is inappropriate and sure to scare off the interviewer.

22. Increase the amount of natural light in your workplace to feel more energetic and happy.

Increase the amount of natural light in your workspace by opening a window or moving your office. If there is not enough natural light coming through your window, use a blue light bulb.

If a window obscures a bookshelf or desk, for example, move it to a side wall.

If possible, remove the curtains or open them.

Avoid bright or yellow lights, as they can make you feel tired and stressed.

23. Use an air purifier to improve air quality and increase concentration.

Stale air can be a productivity killer and a source of boredom and hopelessness. Invest in a good air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce allergies and eventually increase energy and concentration.

Make sure the vents aren’t blocked and that no furniture is blocking them.

Check the humidity level monthly, particularly in winter and summer (45% ideal).

The air filter should get replaced every 2 to 3 months.

Air ducts should be cleaned every 2 to 5 years if black material builds up around them.

24. To increase vitality and productivity, use cool colours in the room.

Walls that are dull or colorless can be unsettling to the eye (and mood). Colors like blue, purple, and green work best in places where people can think creatively, such as workspaces and conference rooms.

Green is a superb wall color for places where you or your employees need to think creatively.

If your office has a meditation room or relaxation area, purple is an awesome color to choose.

Gray walls may look modern and clean, but if overdone they can be dingy.

25. Use warm colours on the restroom walls to evoke a feeling of relaxation.

Colors like yellow and orange are perfect for entertainment rooms, living rooms and office kitchens. To introduce a touch of warm tones, paint the walls or use cushions, chairs and other decorations.

Avoid too much red in the workplace, as it can create fear and, in turn, tension.

26. Provide snug, adjustable seating for your company.

Provide a snug chair or sofa rather than a stiff, hard-backed desk chair or chair to make work more snug. Employees will be more snug and productive if the chair is adjustable.

To reduce the pain of prolonged sitting and promote healthy posture, consider buying a chair with a balance ball or cushion.

To stay active and engaged at work, you may want to get a standing desk.

27. Increase the amount of natural plants in your workplace to reduce stress.

If budget permits, purchase some low maintenance office equipment or, if you have employees, allow them to buy their own office equipment at company expense (if budget permits). Plants have been shown to increase productivity by up to 15%, concentration and job satisfaction.

28. Maintain a clean and uncluttered work environment.

Dust and clutter can give the impression of disorder or chaos, which can lead to feelings of worry and anxiety. As a result, it is going to be tougher to concentrate. Every day, before you sit all the way down to work, clear your desk and the environment of loose and messy papers.

If you work with employees, emphasize cleanliness at weekly staff meetings so that everyone seems to be responsible for keeping the workplace clean.

At least once a month, tidy up your workspace by removing unnecessary small items and ensuring everything has its place.

Organize your employees’ workspaces with filing cabinets, folders, and drawer organizers so they haven’t got to spend time searching for what they need.

If you have a large workspace and a limited maintenance budget, you may want to consider hiring a cleaning company to make sure a clean environment.

Thank you for reading this article on how to improve your workplace environment and I actually hope you take action on my suggestions.

I wish you good luck and that I hope that its content has been a good help to you.