Transforming workplaces for employee mental health
Transforming workplaces for employee mental health 0 qpurcell Tue, 12/12/2023 - 11:15 Office Buildings Lauren Elliott, Director of Interior Design, Design Collaborative, shares practical tips and strategies for workplace renovation that prioritizes employee mental health. Lauren Elliott, RID, NCIDQ Office Buildings Designers Engineers Architects Biophilic Design Daylighting Designs Interior Architecture Renovating your workplace can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of your employees. In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, prioritizing employee mental health has become more crucial than ever.By creating a supportive and positive environment, you can foster a sense of belonging and promote overall mental wellness. Let’s take a look at some practical tips and strategies to renovate your workplace with a focus on improving the mental health of your employees.Incorporate Natural ElementsIntroducing natural elements such as plants, sunlight, and green spaces can have a calming effect on employees. Consider adding indoor plants, large windows for natural light, or creating outdoor areas where employees can relax and reconnect with nature.Indiana Michigan Power Center Corporate Headquarters. Photos courtesy Design CollaborativeDesign for Collaboration and PrivacyA well-designed workplace should offer a balance between collaboration and privacy. Consider creating open spaces for teamwork and brainstorming, as well as quiet areas for focused work or private conversations. Providing options for both can reduce stress and enhance productivity.Promote Movement and Physical HealthEncourage physical activity and movement within the workplace. Incorporate standing desks, ergonomic furniture, and designated areas for exercise or stretching. Promoting a physically active environment can improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.Pizza Hut Conference Nook (top) and Indiana Michigan Power Center Corporate Headquarters (bottom). Photos courtesy Design CollaborativePrioritize Mental Health SupportEnsure that your workplace renovation includes resources and support for mental health. This can include designated spaces for relaxation or meditation, access to counseling services, or implementing policies that promote work-life balance and stress management.Foster a Sense of CommunityCreate spaces that encourage social interactions and a sense of community among employees. This can include communal areas for breaks or shared meals, team-building activities, or organizing events that promote collaboration and connection.Barnes and Thornburg Community Hub. Photo courtesy Design CollaborativeBy prioritizing the employee mental health through workplace renovation, you not only create a healthier and happier work environment, but also foster increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Remember, small changes can make a big difference. Invest in your employees’ well-being, and you will reap the benefits of a thriving and resilient workforce. Here are several examples of renovating the workplace to support employee mental health, from private nooks to community rooms.
Lauren Elliott, Director of Interior Design, Design Collaborative, shares practical tips and strategies for workplace renovation that prioritizes employee mental health.
Lauren Elliott, RID, NCIDQ
Renovating your workplace can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of your employees. In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, prioritizing employee mental health has become more crucial than ever.
By creating a supportive and positive environment, you can foster a sense of belonging and promote overall mental wellness. Let’s take a look at some practical tips and strategies to renovate your workplace with a focus on improving the mental health of your employees.
Incorporate Natural Elements
Introducing natural elements such as plants, sunlight, and green spaces can have a calming effect on employees. Consider adding indoor plants, large windows for natural light, or creating outdoor areas where employees can relax and reconnect with nature.
Design for Collaboration and Privacy
A well-designed workplace should offer a balance between collaboration and privacy. Consider creating open spaces for teamwork and brainstorming, as well as quiet areas for focused work or private conversations. Providing options for both can reduce stress and enhance productivity.
Promote Movement and Physical Health
Encourage physical activity and movement within the workplace. Incorporate standing desks, ergonomic furniture, and designated areas for exercise or stretching. Promoting a physically active environment can improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.
Prioritize Mental Health Support
Ensure that your workplace renovation includes resources and support for mental health. This can include designated spaces for relaxation or meditation, access to counseling services, or implementing policies that promote work-life balance and stress management.
Foster a Sense of Community
Create spaces that encourage social interactions and a sense of community among employees. This can include communal areas for breaks or shared meals, team-building activities, or organizing events that promote collaboration and connection.
By prioritizing the employee mental health through workplace renovation, you not only create a healthier and happier work environment, but also foster increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Remember, small changes can make a big difference. Invest in your employees’ well-being, and you will reap the benefits of a thriving and resilient workforce.
Here are several examples of renovating the workplace to support employee mental health, from private nooks to community rooms.
