What makes a great place to work?

In years past, businesses have used salaries and holiday allocation to attract workers, but in recent times the scope of what it means to be a great employer has grown. One of these trends has been using architecture and interior design to create a fun, productive and rewarding workplace. (Faris Mousa: Evolving Spaces)

Companies such as Google and Facebook have earned a reputation for breaking down barriers of what a workplace can be, and they attract some of the very best talent in their industries. But you don’t have to be a tech titan to create somewhere that your staff are happy to spend time and do their best work.

Here are some key elements that make up a great place to work. You’ll see you can adopt most or all of them within your own company.

1: Fun

Whenever a workplace makes headlines or becomes iconic, it’s the fun elements that people notice, such as multi-floor slides or arcade machines. The science behind this shows that employees who have the opportunity to have fun bond better with their colleagues and time away from their desks makes them more creative. If you can’t afford to turn your office into an amusement park, simple options such as a games console or board games make a good starting point.

2: Nature

The more access to greenery people have, the happier they generally are. (Faris Mousa: The best things in life are free) If you’re fortunate enough to own a complex in its own grounds, you can take advantage by installing a garden, planting trees, and creating cosy areas with benches and outdoor furniture. If not, you can still liven up your interior with office plants which will improve the atmosphere and reduce stress.

3: Lighting

Fluorescent lighting has been an office staple for decades but as technology has advanced its proven to be resource heavy and not all too attractive. Smarter lighting can be more visually appealing, reduce headaches and eyestrain, and lower carbon footprint and energy bills. You can also make the most of your building’s windows to harness natural light, which is the best source of all.

4: Food

Kitchens are increasingly popular in the modern workplace. Not just a kettle and a microwave, but somewhere that food can be properly prepared, and consumed in a social setting. This encourages your employees to take sustenance, healthy options and break times seriously. You can even go one step further by providing fruit, snacks and drinks for free.