Details often dismissed as trivial — like office decor — can play a crucial role in shaping company culture. These factors significantly influence productivity and, ultimately, the brand’s performance.
Studies show that a healthy work environment drives higher levels of productivity. The more welcoming the setting, the better employees perform, which directly translates to improved customer experiences. With that in mind, this article explores five key elements that enhance workplace productivity.
Let’s dive in:
- Promoting physical activity
- Encouraging work-life balance
- Building a feedback culture
- Creating a welcoming workplace design
- Valuing diversity, equity and inclusion
Promoting physical activity
For teams to perform at their best, employees must be physically and mentally healthy. Supporting physical fitness reduces absenteeism, lowers stress levels and increases job satisfaction.
At Foundever®, we’ve embedded this philosophy into our culture through EverBetter, a global wellness initiative with over 40,000 participants. The program focuses on four key areas:
- Move well: Encouraging regular physical exercise
- Eat well: Promoting healthy eating habits and informed nutritional choices
- Live well: Offering webinars, articles, expert advice and tools for holistic wellbeing
- Do well: Inspiring employees with regular wellness challenges
Encouraging work-life balance
Recognizing employees as individuals beyond their roles is important for building balance between work and personal life. Without it, teams risk burnout, which negatively affects both the individual and the organization.
Effective work-life balance requires leaders who actively listen to employees, offering initiatives that prioritize wellbeing and a supportive culture. Regular feedback ensures leaders understand which practices are working, which need adjustment and where improvements are needed.
Building a feedback culture
A strong feedback culture is critical for building engagement and trust. At Foundever, we actively listen to employees through the MAX Annual Survey, which measures engagement levels and gathers input to drive meaningful change.
Survey results inform our MAX Roadmap, a strategic global plan to enhance the associate experience. Listening is only the first step — action is where the difference is made.
Creating a welcoming workplace design
While often overlooked, workplace design plays a significant role in creating a positive work atmosphere that keeps employees engaged. Thoughtful decor inspires creativity and collaboration, driving productivity.
Consider incorporating these elements into your workspace:
Contact with nature: Adding greenery and natural elements enhances mood and wellbeing while improving air quality.
Natural light: Exposure to daylight helps regulate circadian rhythms, boosting mood and productivity.
Soothing colors: Shades like blue and green reduce anxiety and improve focus, promoting a sense of balance.
Open spaces: Open layouts encourage collaboration, communication and cooperation among team members, facilitating the exchange of ideas and problem-solving.
Comfortable furniture: Comfortable, well-designed furniture supports physical wellbeing and minimizes strain, improving focus and efficiency.
Valuing diversity, equity and inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to a fair and innovative workplace. Embracing differences creates a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Foundever leads the way by hosting events like employability fairs for refugees and supporting initiatives in collaboration with organizations like the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). These efforts promote inclusivity and contribute to a more equitable workplace.
The employee experience = the customer experience
A strong connection exists between employee experience and customer experience. Disengaged employees lead to dissatisfied customers, which can harm business outcomes. On the flip side, happy, engaged employees drive brand success — and that starts with their environment.
Learn more about how Foundever cultivates employee engagement in our whitepaper, “Our people are our superpower: Inspiring creativity, commitment and connection at Foundever®.”