Could a house plant improve productivity?

Summer is undoubtedly fading and the weather is turning colder. Autumn is knocking at our door, and with the Government’s recent request that anyone who can work from home, should again, it’s important to ensure our employees have the tools they need to do so.

Unless you have been unaware of what’s going on in the world, it’s clear to see that remote working isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. A recent study by Morgan Stanley, found that of workers who could go back to the office, only 34% have. Many businesses have publicly embraced working from home and expressed that they will allow employees to continue doing so.

Many big brands like Facebook and Twitter have said that in ten years at least 50% of the workforce will be remote or working from home forever. Slater and Gordon have given up the lease for their London office, opting for as much remote working as possible.

As we see a significant shift to remote working, leaders of businesses need to consider the impact that remote working could have on their staff and wellbeing. Keeping the workforce happy and engaged with their roles remotely is necessary and needs to be continually monitored as it evolves.

The basics, are pretty well known now. We know it’s necessary to have the relevant technology, a working space and a good desk chair. First and foremost, make sure your staff have these basics, but then as employers you should be going the extra mile and considering what other items your team should have around them.

As the seasons change, many of us will not have considered less airflow as windows are closed to conserve heat. The simple solution, houseplants. Houseplants can not only make a working environment look nicer, but they can create clean and fresh air, as well as other benefits that may seem surprising. In 2010, a study in Sydney found a significant reduction in stress amongst workers when they introduced plants to their workspace; specifically anger, depression, tension, anxiety and fatigue. So, what are you waiting for? Order that rubber plant!

As many meetings move to online, many are still struggling with access to a quality webcam. A good quality webcam isn’t only beneficial when it comes to meetings, but may be the only form of interaction available for those isolating. As a business, anything you can do to improve the connection will not only lead to an increase in productivity, but more efficiency in meetings and overall wellbeing.

It’s important to note, that many office spaces are designed for efficiency. That is their purpose, perhaps with air conditioning and heating. Remote working situations, aren’t built for efficiency and as the cold creeps in, it could be worth checking employees have access to a sufficient heating to avoid discomfort amongst staff. Workers are up to 27% less productive when cold, inevitably leading to a knock-on-effect for wellbeing.

Have you got any other suggestions to improve a remote working environment? Our MyBenefitsZone platform allows for great communication with your staff. Get in touch with one of the team to see how this could work for you.