The Great Resignation of 2021 is still in full swing. Inflation is rising, and salaries and pay rates are up, but despite that, people are still not enthusiastic about their jobs. In a business world where every company is looking for that competitive edge to retain (existing) and hire (new) employees, it makes one wonder, can office amenities actually make a difference in employee satisfaction?
Happy employees have higher job retention rates than unhappy employees. It is a pretty simple concept really. Job happiness is possible when employees:
- Understand their roles and responsibilities
- Share the company’s mission and vision
- Have a close friend at work
- Feel recognized and appreciated
These are just a few very important factors that contribute to employee satisfaction. So, this begs the question, how important are office amenities when trying to bolster employee satisfaction?
Beautiful Common Areas Such as Atriums, Fitness Rooms, On-Site Dining, Outside Areas, Etc.
Giving employees a place to relax, socialize, and/or burn off some extra energy are great ways to help employees build friendships, get to know each other, and provide them with a place they want to be. Giving your employees a place to get healthy, have fun, and encourage esprit de corps with casual activities may not seem important; but in fact, they are critical to employee happiness, satisfaction, job performance, and retention.
A 2018 Gallup poll found that those who have a close friend at work are twice as likely to be engaged in their jobs, are better at engaging customers, produce higher-quality work, have a greater sense of well-being, and are less likely to get injured on the job.
Excellent amenities such as beautiful atriums, fitness rooms and gyms, on-site dining options, and outside areas to enjoy, all make much of this possible.
Providing a Comfortable and Safe Environment
When thinking about office space for lease, employee safety and comfort are top on the list. It is critical that employees feel they can move about the building in safety and security. They need to be able to do their jobs without fear, and if required to work at odd hours – such as evenings and weekends – their safety is not compromised.
Amenities such as plenty of well-lit parking, security personnel on-site, 24-hour electronic surveillance, well-lit facilities both inside and outside the building, and secured areas; all enable employees to focus on their jobs without concern for their safety.
Give Them the Space and Light They Need
Remember that classic scene in Office Space where poor Milton keeps getting relocated to smaller, darker, more cramped working spaces?
All joking aside, making sure all employees have the space, the light, and the room they need to do their jobs is vital. Working in a dark and cramped space makes people feel undervalued and unimportant. Not to mention, dark and cramped spaces make people feel chaotic and overwhelmed.
Providing your employees with a proper workspace where they can work will help them feel valued and appreciated so that they can do their very best work.
Beautiful, Comfortable, Modern, and Clean Facilities
Let’s face it. We all like to use our own home bathrooms. And while no one likes to use public restrooms, it is simply unavoidable at work. Sometimes you just have to go. Ensuring that your employees have beautiful, comfortable, modern, and clean facilities can actually make a big difference in their happiness.
These areas should maximize privacy and safety. Design choices such as dividing walls, proper ventilation, and acoustic privacy can help your employees relax. Restrooms should be a place of comfort – not a place of disgust and vulnerability.
Mini Kitchen, Comfortable Break Rooms, & Refreshments
Every office needs a space for employees to relax and grab a quick snack for that afternoon pick-me-up or lunch break. Want to be an even more amazing boss? Consider providing free snacks, coffee, and beverages for your employees. It’s not just an extravagant gesture — it’s also a great way to boost employee engagement.
Studies show that employees whose employers provide free snacks at work are much happier in their jobs than their hungry, and snack-less counterparts. Use coffee machines such as Keurig’s that are easy to use and clean. If you cannot afford to buy snacks, install vending machines that provide a variety of options for food — from crave-able junk food snacks to healthier veggie and fruit options. There are even office snack delivery services available.
For special occasions, consider providing lunches for your employees which will not only feed your hungry staff but also encourage mingling amongst employees that may not usually get to mingle.
Learn More About the Amazing Office Amenities That Are Available For Your Next Commercial Office Space
Want to learn more about the commercial office space and the amazing amenities that are available in the Dallas/DFW, Stemmons Corridor/Medical district, HEB, LBJ, or Irving/Las Colinas areas in Texas, or maybe you have questions about the different types of commercial leases available to sign? Let’s connect.
We can give you a tour, we will show you amazing on-site amenities, our available office spaces for rent, and provide you with realistic and accurate costs. In short, we will answer all of your commercial lease questions.
