Everyone needs a break. And, no, we’re not talking about taking a pause to have a piece of a commercial candy bar, we mean a REAL break. A break in nature, where the air is warm and clear, and you can actually feel the breeze.
The important thing about providing ample outdoor employee spaces is they boost morale and provide a reprieve from a hard day’s work. The Harvard Business Review even found that employees were more productive the following day after spending time outdoors before the evening.
But what truly entails an outdoor employee space, and how does it boost morale and productivity? We’re so happy that you asked, because it just so happens that Classic Displays knows a thing or two about the subject. Today, we’ll be exploring that and more.
Let’s get right into it.
Outdoor work spaces have been proven to have both mental and physical benefits for employees, making them a high-demand perk. Outdoor greenspaces are welcoming, warming, and promote a sense of happiness and ease – while also serving a double purpose of being highly aesthetic. When your work space is comfortable and attractive, it actually helps to promote productivity.
But what other benefits do outdoor employee spaces have?
By having a space where you can take a breath and enjoy nature, you are more likely to return to the job in a better mood. A better mood is directly linked with being more productive. Imagine it: you’re feeling tired and drab, you’ve been stuck at home for a few days and have hardly interacted with anybody outside of your work emails. However, your workplace has a designated outdoor employee space.
You’re able to take a small breather, maybe enjoy your coffee or tea outside on a comfortable bench. There are stunning planters surrounding you with seasonal flowers, and you hear the soothing sounds of nature. When you’re done, you feel refreshed! Ready to tackle that report that’s been sitting open on your desktop with the text cursor blinking away on a blank document.
You’re feeling so good, in fact, you finish that report before the end of day and are able to get to some outstanding tasks you had been putting off. You get to walk away from work happy and feeling accomplished, especially whilst knowing the next day is going to be a bit easier because of it.
Yes, being exposed to natural is actually proven to promote enhanced mental health. And, given the flowing state of the world, there’s plenty to be stressed or anxious about at times. However, spending time in nature, especially while you’re working, is an excellent way to promote mental alertness and well-being.
Mental health has been directly linked to improved work performance. And mentally healthy employees not only are more likely to good workers, they’re more likely to stick with an employer who prioritizes their well-being.
Besides, it’s hard to be sad when you’re sitting at a cozy picnic bench, enjoying your lunch on a nice spring day! And trust us; having accessible and ample seating is absolutely paramount to crafting the ideal outdoor employee space.
When you’re always stuck in the same space, it can be difficult to find a muse for inspiration. Creativity can be quickly stunted when staring at the same four walls, so an outdoor employee space can provide a creative reprieve for those who need a little inspiration. Picture being able to sit on a stunning Victorian bench while you overlook hanging planters filled to the brim with seasonal flowers. Talk about a colourful image perfect for providing a little bit of creative inspiration!
Being outdoors does wonders for your health, especially if you get the opportunity to go for a walk or jog in the middle of the day. Exercise is good for the body, so is connecting with nature in a meaningful way – and considering many of us spend upwards of 40 hours a week at work, being able to (literally and figuratively) touch grass at work is sure to promote better well-being.
Your job should never hold you back from being the best version of yourself, that’s why having ample outdoor employee spaces is so important.
Some fresh air and sunshine is a great way to chase away that mid-morning fatigue. Rather than reaching for another coffee or energy drink, getting outside can actually help improve mental clarity and alertness. Exercise and enjoying a comfortable outdoor space are great ways to give you that energy boost you need to get through the day.
Being outdoors can help improve mental clarity, making it easier for employees for actually lock-in and focus on their work. If you spend your entire work day wishing you could catch a break and get outdoors, it’s going to be hard to really focus on getting your work done. Outdoor employee spaces solve this problem effortlessly.
We’ve been talking a lot about the morale benefits of outdoor employee spaces… but what do they look like? And what makes a good one? We’re glad you asked.
A good outdoor employee space needs to be accessible. This means that the entrance and exit needs to be permissible for employees with varying physical capabilities, including those who require a mobility device to get around. This means ramps and automatic doors leading to the space are an absolute must.
In terms of what makes a comfortable outdoor employee space would be reliable, accessible, and stylish site furniture. This ranges from garbage and recycling bins, benches, picnic tables, planters, and even additional decorative touches such as flags or banners.
Classic Displays offers a variety of site furniture to fully equip your outdoor employee space and make it not only comfortable, but fully accessible. Classic Displays takes great pride in designing our site furniture to be fully usable for almost everyone, so no one ever has to feel community space holds limitations for them.
Benches are essential when designing an outdoor employee space, as they provide suitable and comfortable seating that is sure to hold up, even in harsher weather. Benches are often crafted from sturdy materials designed to withstand wear and tear in every season, meaning it’s a good investment for the long-term.
Picnic tables are perfect if you need a place to eat, socialize, or even work, as they provide both seating and a surface for whatever you need. Picnic tables are versatile enough that most outdoor employee spaces would be nearly lost without them, as they provide ample usage for people of all ages and physical abilities.
Planters provide that outdoor feel that’s a little more stylized and groomed, often filled with seasonal flowers and plants that truly add a bit of “oomph” to a space. Planters are designed to bring a pop of colour and dazzling aesthetic to the outdoors, creating a truly stylish and welcoming space. They also provide sustenance for pollinators, who require abundant flowers to do their environmental work.
Every outdoor space needs a place to dispose of waste. Outdoor areas are often used for recreation, relaxation, and, yes, even work – meaning people are likely to bring a variety of trash and recycling items with them. Water bottles, wrappers from food, food waste, and even scrap materials from work or crafts. To avoid potential littering, it’s essential to have the appropriate waste and recycling bins available to the public to make sure no one is carrying around waste, or worse, throwing it on the ground. Not only this, but it also allows your outdoor space to be a green-friendly space, designed to promote the environmental health of the community.
Not every employee takes a car into the office, some prefer to ride their bikes in! Providing a safe and secure place for your employees to park and lock-up their bikes not only offers convenience, but may even encourage more employees to take greener transportation to work. This also goes hand-in-hand with promoting physical health, too, as biking is well-known for being excellent exercise. This also makes your workplace a more welcoming and accessible place by providing spaces suitable for people with different transportation needs.
Classic Displays, founded in 1977 by Wayne Tucker, began as a small business creating Christmas displays for local clients. Over 46 years, it has grown into a trusted Canadian, family-owned company led by Wayne’s son Chris and son-in-law David. Serving 350+ municipalities, 150+ BIAs, and countless commercial properties, Classic Displays offers three divisions: Holiday Displays, Flags & Banners (est. 1985), and Site Furniture (est. 1990). Committed to quality and service, we proudly provide North American-made beautification products customers can rely on. Contact us today.
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