Creating the work environment

Have you ever walked into a workplace (private or governmental) and told yourself that you are glad you don't work there. The environment is dingy and just not very pleasing for a number of different reasons. We had one such place at the local Department of Motor Vehicles licensing office. Miserable conditions does not begin to describe this office not to mention the large numbers of citizens using this location. The customer service provided by the employees was certainly a reflection of their work environment. Most would try but one could see how difficult it was.

Today I visited the new DMV location to help my son get his learners permit. A huge transformation not only in atmosphere but in the spirit of the employees. Things ran much smoother, much quicker and much less tension. Efficiency is most times joked upon when it comes to governmental services. But do not forget these people are just like you and me. Think about how well you perform in a poor work environment.

A pleasant and well designed work location will be reflected in your employees. This means more efficiency through out the workplace. These efficiency gains translate into a more stable work force. The efficiency gains translate into a more satisfied customer. The efficiency gains translate into dollars.

Think about where you work and what the environment is like. Are you regulated about having a plant on your desk or have such poor lighting that you couldn't keep a plant alive? If the environment is tiring and displeasing, a change needs to occur. As an employer you need to recognize it. As an employee you need to make sure your employer knows it. Because once again it comes back to the dollars.

An article from Feb/2005 from the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) Productive Committee discusses the costs and potential payback.

You can read this article at http://www.wbdg.org/design/productive.php. There are five principles of productive building designs that I'm quoting from this article;

• Promote Health and Well-Being
  Indoor environments strongly affect human health. A productive workplace should be designed to support and enhance the health and well-being of its occupants.
  
• Provide Comfortable Environments
  A workplace designed and operated to provide the highest achievable levels of visual, acoustic, and thermal comforts for its occupants is the underpinning of worker productivity.
  
• Design for the Changing Nature of Work
  Providing spaces with flexibility and technology to promote new ways of working is a cornerstone of change and innovation.
  
• Integrate Technological Tools
  Effectively integrating technological tools and distribution networks required in today's office environments to enable workers to perform their duties starts first and foremost with properly designed pathways and spaces.
  
• Assure Reliable Systems and Spaces
  Reliability is one of the greatest concerns for building occupants—it directly affects their safety, health, and comfort. Workers must be able to rely on building systems, equipment, and tools that function consistently and are properly maintained.

Take some steps - make some changes - shake up the atmosphere and see what happens. Because sitting still and doing nothing will leave you behind everyone else that are moving on and getting ahead.