While work somehow always finds its way home with us, a recent trend has made it possible for home to come to work. With the lines between home and work becoming more blurred, resimercial design blends the best of residential and commercial furnishings to create workspaces that are comfortable and familiar, while still being engaging.
Distractions Compromise Innovation
Chances are, between the moment you clicked this article and when you began reading this sentence, you’ve been distracted by something or someone. Distractions at work are so common, they seem to be the whitespace surrounding most workplaces. To overcome distractions and actually get work done, you may want to meet Brody. We’ll introduce you later in this article.
Topics: Wellbeing
6,000 workers were recently asked, “Where do you do your best thinking?” The study was conducted by David Rock’s NeuroLeadership Group, an institute formed to help people and companies better understand how the brain functions. Findings from the study spell bad news for executives who need their employees to think critically: only 10% of employees tend to do their best thinking while at work.
At McCoy-Rockford, our commitment to enhancing the overall wellbeing and productivity of our customers’ employees starts at the very beginning of the design process. We understand that planning and designing for spaces that promote employee wellbeing through interaction, movement and productivity across different types of tasks, can help employees function at a higher level, building engagement. Employee engagement leads to innovation, creativity, and ultimately better business results for organizations with lower turnover and less absenteeism.
Topics: Wellbeing
Workplace issue #5: Personal Wellbeing
Help Improve Personal Wellbeing
According to a study conducted by Ohio State University and the National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S., the physical work environment dramatically influences emotional and physical wellbeing. They found that workers in unappealing office environments (low ceilings, limited natural light, unattractive views) had significantly higher levels of stress hormones and heart-rate variability than workers in more open, spacious, well-lit offices. Researchers concluded a bad work environment may actually be a risk factor for heart disease. Companies can improve employee wellbeing in four areas:
Topics: Wellbeing, Workplace, Workplace Issues
Last week, three separate projects by McCoy-Rockford teams won Best Practice Awards during the 4th Annual Awards of Excellence held by the Houston Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). We were honored to be selected and are ecstatic for our clients who can say they have award-winning facilities! Accolades are great, but what is even better is knowing we helped create remarkable places where our clients can do truly great work.
The award-winning projects were for the following clients:
- NDT Global
- Jetco Delivery
- Global Shop Solutions
As the modern workforce has tranformed from being physical laborers to knowledge workers, our minds are asked to be very active while our bodies sit in one place. In order to perform well, workers need a variety physical activity and stimulation. How do you create an environment that encourages activity and improves workers' vitality? As part of our series on office wellbeing, the article below from Steelcase addresses the sixth - and final - dimension of wellbeing, meaning. You'll learn how organizations can communicate a sense of meaning to employees. This culture inspires workers to be passionate about what they do and can improve performance and results. We'll also share some tips and design considerations that helps cultivate a sense of meaning in the workplace.
Brands have been an emphasis for much of the past century. One of the reasons is brands communicate meaning to consumers, creating a sense of loyalty and trust. These values are just as important - maybe even more important - to cultivate with employees. As part of our series on office wellbeing, the article below from Steelcase addresses the fifth dimension of wellbeing, meaning. You'll learn how organizations can communicate a sense of meaning to employees. This culture inspires workers to be passionate about what they do and can improve performance and results. We'll also share some tips and design considerations that helps cultivate a sense of meaning in the workplace.
Last year, the U.S. workforce turnover rate was nearly 15.7%, up from 14.4% in 2011. Workforce turnover can carry a hefty cost. A report from CBS News calculated the additional cost of of replacing a mid-level employee at 20% of the worker's annual salary (and replacing executives could cost up to 213% of their salary). So how do you retain the talent you worked so hard to attract? As part of our series on office wellbeing, the article below from Steelcase addresses the fourth dimension of wellbeing, belonging. You'll learn how creating a sense of belonging for employees helps anchor them and makes them feel valued by their organization. We'll also share some tips and design considerations that helps cultivate a sense of belonging in the workplace.
What happens when workers feel like they can’t be themselves at the workplace? What can we do to help workers feel comfortable and connected, so they bring their best selves to the work they do? As part of our series on office wellbeing, the article below from Steelcase addresses the third dimension of wellbeing, authenticity. You'll learn how connections and customizable environments help cultivate authenticity in the workplace. We'll also share some tips and design considerations that help workers feel more comfortable and connected.
Continuing our series on office wellbeing, this article from Steelcase focuses on the second dimension of wellbeing, mindfulness. You'll learn about the challenges to mindfulness in today's workplace and why it's important to create an environment that encourages employees to be fully engaged with their work and more easily enter a state of flow. We'll also share some tips and design considerations to cultivate mindfulness in your workplace.
Last week we discussed how office wellbeing affects productivity. This week, we will share the first of 6 Dimensions of Wellbeing. These are 6 dimensions Steelcase identified that can be impacted by the design of the physical environment. So, the design of your space - the furniture, walls, flooring and architecture - can improve your office wellbeing and ultimately improve performance. But what does that look like and how do you do it? This article from Steelcase will explain the first Dimension of Wellbeing: Optimism. We'll also give you tips and considerations to help improve optimism through design.
Topics: Wellbeing
