Optimising the workplace

An optimised workplace is essential for enabling employees to focus and collaborate. Employees need environments that align with their tasks, providing flexibility and support for both individual and collaborative work.

A well-designed office meets diverse needs, offering spaces for concentration, creativity, and collaboration. By ensuring that employees feel their workplace supports them, organisations can foster a positive atmosphere that drives success.

Establishing quiet working areas

In the Workplace Wellbeing Survey, only 41% say they have quiet working areas in the office. The introduction of quiet or relaxation zones could see major improvements in the wellbeing of employees, in turn enhancing their levels of productivity and engagement.

The workplace should have a variety of spaces for people to select where to work from according to their mood and task, so they can find quiet spaces for concentration when required, such as our pods for Nordea Bank. Of course, employees also need the right technology, including laptops and Wi-Fi, for this to happen effectively.

Design with everybody in mind

Employee satisfaction is significantly influenced by the physical environment of a workplace. A well-designed workspace doesn’t just meet practical needs—it fosters a sense of comfort and security, which supports wellbeing and productivity. Human-centric designs create spaces that work for everyone, encouraging collaboration, focus, and creativity.

Accessibility is key. A workspace should be practical and inclusive, ensuring it accommodates diverse needs, including those of neurodivergent team members. Quieter zones, adjustable lighting, and ergonomic furniture can be useful here.

Using a tailored Workplace Strategy is vital to identify your team's unique requirements. This process helps align physical design with personal and professional goals, ensuring that the environment supports both individual success and collective productivity. For inspiration, explore our approach to human-centric design and designing for neurodiversity, and discover our expertise in office design.

Rest and relaxation

Encouraging rest during the workday is essential for fostering creativity and preventing burnout. Short breaks, mindfulness sessions, and dedicated relaxation spaces can greatly enhance employee wellbeing. These practices help to create a more balanced and supportive work environment, ensuring that teams can perform at their best without compromising their mental and physical health. Providing opportunities for rest also fosters a positive, productive workplace culture.

Mindfulness at work

Taking a few minutes to meditate every day to become more mindful, or focused on the present, is a great way to relieve stress. Yet over half of employees (54%) in the survey say that their employers do not support mindfulness or meditation. This is a false economy as being relaxed and stress-free helps the mind work more efficiently.

If organisations encourage everybody to take 10 minutes of their day for meditation and concentrate on mindfulness it can boost wellbeing and provide a break from a stressful day or task. Perhaps you have someone in your company who is passionate about mindfulness and is keen to run a mindfulness session during their lunch break for colleagues.

Office sleep pods

Allowing your staff to take a nap in the office may seem like a step too far, but for some businesses, this is a key part of their sector and culture. Companies, such as XTX Markets, trade in markets around the world, so providing sleeping pods for people who work out of standard hours will be a very welcome addition to the workplace. From our survey, only 2% of people say their company has sleep pods, but 30% say they would like them. These innovative solutions not only help employees relax but also improve focus and engagement, ensuring they remain productive and refreshed throughout the day.

Support exercise, fitness and health

While mental wellbeing is a key aspect of overall workplace wellbeing, physical health and fitness play an equally important role. Employers can proactively support their employees' physical health, ensuring they feel energetic and engaged. Simple initiatives, such as offering ergonomic office furniture, providing access to fitness initiatives, or encouraging regular movement breaks, can make a significant difference. Promoting a healthy lifestyle not only reduces absenteeism but also boosts morale and productivity, creating a more dynamic and supportive work environment.

Stretching at the desk

Incorporating stretching exercises into the workday can help alleviate stiffness and discomfort from sitting for long periods. Simple stretches for the neck, shoulders, and back can reduce pain and promote relaxation. Taking a few minutes to move or stretch at the desk is an easy, effective way to combat stress and maintain focus. Employers can encourage this by providing employees with a few quick exercises to do at their desks, making it a simple, accessible way to improve physical wellbeing without leaving the office.

Yoga and Pilates

In addition to stress management and relaxation, Yoga and Pilates areis also beneficial for improving posture, flexibility, tone and balance, as well as rehabilitation or prevention of injuries related to muscle imbalances. In the survey, only 8% say they have a Yoga or meditation room in their office. We all know that sitting down for an entire day can cause stiffness and soreness. By allocating a space in your office for mindful exercise, companies can boost their staff wellbeing and potentially improve staff attendance, performance and retention.

Promoting healthy diets and lifestyles

Employers can further support their employees’ wellbeing by encouraging healthier diets and lifestyles. Offering nutritious snacks, such as fruit instead of sweets, and providing tea or water rather than sugary drinks can have a positive impact on employees’ energy levels and focus. Additionally, employers can help educate staff on making healthier food choices by offering coaching, workshops, or nutrition tips. These small steps contribute to a healthier, more productive work environment and can help reduce stress, fatigue, and absenteeism.

A mindful culture

Promoting wellbeing should be a central part of workplace culture. Employers must lead by example, setting the tone for a culture where mental and physical wellbeing are prioritised. Wellbeing should be integrated into every aspect of the organisation, from communication to policies and leadership. A workplace that encourages mindfulness and work-life balance fosters a positive, supportive environment that boosts engagement and productivity.

Ensuring safety, security and trust

Ensuring the safety and security of employees is paramount in any workplace. This includes maintaining proper protocols, safety equipment, and practices that protect staff. Alongside physical safety, building trust within the team is crucial. Transparent communication and involving employees in decision-making processes create a sense of security and belonging, fostering a stronger, more engaged workforce.
H3: Encourage employees to make mindfulness part of their workday

Employers should ensure that supporting mental wellbeing is a key part of their company culture and that meditation and other relaxation techniques are publicly encouraged. By allocating specific space and time for employees to enhance their wellbeing, it should become part of the norm in the workplace, and adoption and wellbeing should improve.

In summary

Workplace wellbeing is essential for both the mental and physical health of employees, encompassing safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction. Employers can take numerous steps to foster a healthier and more productive environment, such as promoting wellness initiatives and offering support for both physical and emotional needs. At Peldon Rose, our Workplace Strategy team can help identify your business’s unique needs and translate them into a tailored office design that enhances employee wellbeing.