4 Signs That Your Office Needs Refurbishing

Most employees spend around 8 hours a day in the office. With so much time spent in the same four walls, it’s no surprise that many of us become desensitised to the state of our working environment. Similarly, when priorities tend towards productivity and profit margins, business owners and managers are bound to become complacent about company décor. From questionable carpets to scuffed seating, signs of wear and tear are all too easily overlooked during the working day. However, a poor working environment can do more damage to a business than you might imagine. Here are a few significant signs to help you recognise when your office requires a refurbishment.

1. Whinging Workers

Many studies have proven that morale and productivity suffer in an uninspiring office environment, thereby demonstrating how the workplace can impact on performance. It’s not simply a matter of making the working environment a safe and healthy place. Staff will thrive in good working conditions. From better workstations to break-out areas, investing in the office environment will improve morale and have a positive impact on productivity.

If employees are unhappy and uninspired, a drop in productivity is inevitable. Why not consider encouraging regular feedback from your staff to ensure your workplace is not only efficient and functional but also meeting your employees’ needs? Anonymous feedback forms enable employees to be open and honest about the working environment without fear of reprisal.

A well-designed office enhances efficiency and productivity. Dwindling productivity is often a sign that the working environment isn’t up to scratch. A poorly planned workspace can have a negative impact on employees’ ability to perform. Uplifting lighting, superior facilities and flexible workspaces can all transform your disconsolate staff into a happy and productive team.

2. Dated Decor

Drab and dated décor will not only fail to inspire your employees but will also fail to impress prospective clients. Your office sells your organisation in the same way as your staff. Take a look at your working environment and appraise it through the eyes of a visitor. A tired and dated workplace will not create the impression of a fresh and forward-thinking business.

Your office is the face of your organisation. The quality of your workplace reflects how your company is run. A high-quality establishment will inspire customer confidence and help to generate new business.

Similarly, if a competitor starts up in your area, it’s important to be aware of the knock-on effect this may have on your business. New premises nearby will attract attention and deflect from your business. As such, ensure your office environment can compete.

Emergency exit sign above a black doorway

3. Shabby Safety

General wear and tear will take its toll on office fixtures and fittings. From trailing cables to split seats, a shabby office environment not only looks unsightly but it may also present a health and safety risk to your workers. Nobody wants to work in an unsafe environment. Shabby offices can be hazardous. As such, it’s crucial to tackle problem areas. An office refurbishment will ensure your employees’ working environment is completely safe and secure and will greatly reduce the risk of any workplace accidents.

Common solutions include new workstations with holes for cables. Power sockets can also be relocated to new positions on the wall or on the floor. Similarly, modular, moulded seating can offer a more durable and contemporary choice.

From the energy performance of buildings to carbon reduction schemes, the Government is constantly introducing new legislation that can result in fines for non-compliance. An office refurbishment will ensure that your working environment not only complies with existing rulings but will also be well-placed to comply with future legislation. Similarly, the environment plays a key role in many organisations’ corporate social responsibility policies. A refurbishment offers the ideal opportunity to reflect your organisation’s commitment to green issues, thereby sending a message to competitors, clients and employees.

4. Reflect a rebrand

Very often a rebrand prompts the need for a refurbishment. If you are giving your brand a new lease of life, it’s important to reflect this change in the office environment. From changing corporate colours to livening up a logo, your office space should also undergo changes to ensure continuity.

Rebrands and refurbishments go hand in hand. If your company image is changing, this change needs to resonate with every aspect of the business. A rebrand can attract new clients. As such, the office environment needs to have as positive an impact as your updated and dynamic corporate image.