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Serviced offices hit the sweet spot of employee comfort

Many of the design features in our serviced offices in London and Manchester are there for the comfort and wellbeing of our clients – and to keep employees comfortable and motivated during the working day.

In a newly published article in the journal Management Review Quarterly, Yvonne Schmid and Michael Dowling, both of the University of Regensburg in Germany, examine the impact of a range of workplace technologies.

These include computers, mobile devices and other internet-enabled equipment, but also aspects of workplace design like room layout and office furniture.

Among them are many of the elements you’ll find in our serviced offices, which is testament to the careful planning we put into all of our office interiors.

The importance of ergonomic office chairs

You might not think of office furniture as an example of workplace technology, but the ergonomic furniture provided in our serviced offices in Manchester and London plays an important role in ensuring employee comfort throughout the working day.

At the same time, we strive to hit the ‘sweet spot’ and ensure that employees are able to stay alert right to the end of their shift.

The researchers note the importance of finding this middle ground: “A physically uncomfortable workplace design leads to dissatisfaction, while a too-plushy workplace leads to employees feeling too comfortable and even lazy.”

Ergonomic office furniture is not about encouraging people to fall asleep at their desk, but is about giving them the ability to adjust their seat height and avoid aches and pains.

Breakout rooms offer relaxation

When employees want to take some time away from their desk, our comfortable breakout rooms provide slightly more casual space to give the feeling of having stepped away from work for a few minutes.

Our serviced offices in London and Manchester are located adjacent to water, allowing workers to take a walk outside and clear their head during or after a stressful day at work.

It’s important to give employees control over their environment, whether that’s the option to take a break outside, or a quiet space to sit for a couple of minutes before getting back down to work.

“The feeling of control over one’s individual environment can in fact enhance motivation, while a lack of control may lead to discomfort and demotivation,” the researchers write.

Comfort from the inside out

Finally, it’s crucial for employees to stay hydrated and nourished, but in a busy environment it can be tempting to skip lunch or to work for long periods without taking a tea or coffee break.

To combat this – and to keep your workforce hydrated and thinking clearly until the very end of the day – we provide complimentary beverages in our serviced offices in Manchester and London, as well as kitchen facilities for employees to prepare drinks and basic meals of their own.

It’s all about finding that sweet spot, where employees’ snacks and drinks boost energy levels and hydration, without taking away productivity, to give you a workplace that maximises output from everyone on-site.