New Year is the perfect time to evaluate, improve and create habits to make us happier at work. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ll look at some tried and tested habits backed by real-life examples and data to make your workday more productive, balanced, and healthy.
January’s fresh start brings a renewed sense of motivation. This is a perfect moment to rejuvenate the office atmosphere. But how can you make meaningful resolutions that truly benefit your organisation and team?
We’ll look at simple data-backed changes like standing desks and eye health practices to more structured strategies such as work-life balance policies and private workspaces, these habits are designed for tangible results.
Adopting them can lead to increased employee engagement, improved mental health, and a significant boost in overall productivity. These are not just theories; they are practical, proven methods that successful companies have already put into practice
Whether you adopt Google’s eye-care routine or HubSpot’s active meetings, these changes can lead to a more engaged, healthier, and productive workforce. Here are our suggestions. Good luck!
10 Reasons to Consider Office Resolutions
- Enhance Your Workspace: Redefine your office environment with simple updates like new artwork, a fresh coat of paint, or adding plants. A vibrant workspace can significantly boost productivity and morale.
- Strengthen Retention and attract Talent: Introduce new company perks like a fitness fund, additional personal days, or unique experiences like adventure activities or volunteer days. These can be crucial in retaining and attracting top talent.
- Empower Employee Voices: Regular surveys, anonymous feedback systems, and open forums like Stop-Start-Keep sessions can provide valuable insights into employee sentiments and needs.
- Refine Performance Management: Establish clear, consistent check-ins and performance documentation. Support struggling team members with constructive feedback and guidance.
- Support Professional Development: Invest in your team’s growth through programs focussing on skills like emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, coaching fundamentals, time management, and clear communication.
- Optimise Hybrid Work Models: Reassess and fine-tune your hybrid work model to ensure it caters to both remote and in-office employees effectively.
- Upgrade Remote Work Infrastructure: Enhance your remote working capabilities with secure technology, collaborative tools, and high-quality communication equipment.
- Focus on Mental Health and Well-being: Implement initiatives supporting mental health, acknowledging the unique challenges of remote and hybrid work environments.
- Set Diversity and Inclusion Goals: Strengthen your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that your hiring practices and company culture are welcoming to all, regardless of their work setting.
- Enrich Company Culture: Organise social events and inclusive activities that foster connections among employees, including those working remotely or in a hybrid setup.
Data-Backed Habits
The aims are all well and good. But what we really want is pragmatic habits that, over time, will make a tangible difference.
Here’s what we have for you:
Data-Backed Habits for Physical Health
Here are a few simple suggestions to improve your office-based health. Healthy body, healthy … you know the saying. Here goes:
- Incorporate Movement: Apple Inc. employees use standing desks, reducing sedentary time. A study in the “American Journal of Epidemiology” found that reducing sitting time increases life expectancy by two years.
- Adopt the 20-20-20 Rule: Employees at Google follow this rule to combat eye strain. Research indicates the 20-20-20 rule can reduce digital eye strain symptoms by up to 50%.
- Active Meetings: The marketing team at HubSpot regularly conducts walking meetings. A Stanford study showed walking boosts creative output by an average of 60%.
Data-Backed Habits for Enhanced Work-Life Balance
Feeling like a slave to the treadmill can be counter-productive. How can we fight back?
- Email Etiquette: Volkswagen enforces a ‘no email’ policy outside working hours. This initiative led to a 25% increase in employee happiness, as per their internal survey.
- Notification Management: At LinkedIn, employees are encouraged to turn off notifications post-work, leading to a 20% decrease in reported stress levels.
- Shutdown Rituals: Microsoft found that employees who had end-of-day rituals reported a 22% increase in work satisfaction.
Data-Backed Habits for Boosted Productivity
- Limit Social Media: A Deloitte study found a 15% increase in productivity when employees limited social media use.
- Regular Microbreaks: Salesforce encourages microbreaks every hour. Research shows this can lead to a 30% increase in focus.
- Private Workspaces: OK. Not a resolution, but a handy little data-drive tip. Amazon uses individual work pods. A University of California study found that private workspaces can reduce distractions by up to 48%.
How to Succeed with Your Office Resolutions
Setting resolutions is one thing, but following through is another. To avoid the common pitfalls of abandoned goals, it’s crucial to set achievable, well-defined objectives. Regularly review these goals, adapt as necessary, and celebrate the small victories along the way. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.
Embracing these resolutions can significantly enhance your workplace environment, leading to happier, more productive employees. This year, let’s transform our office spaces into hubs of creativity, collaboration, and well-being. After all, a happy team is the key to a successful business.
For office managers, these examples and statistics provide a blueprint for fostering a more dynamic and productive work environment. Putting them into action, these habits can lead to tangible improvements in employee well-being and efficiency.
Remember, small steps can lead to big changes in the way we work and live.