Office Trends

to Know:
How to Enhance
Productivity,
Health, and
Culture in the
Workplace
On average, employees spend
upwards of 40 hours a week in the
office. This adds up to 2080 hours
a year, or almost 3 full months on
the job! This statistic doesn’t even
begin to take into consideration the
fact that many employees are working
above and beyond the expected 40
hours a week—whether through
overtime, prepping for the next week,
or simply tying up loose ends before
the weekend. Any way you look at it,
the fact is that we are spending more
and more time working, which is why
it’s so important for employees to be
comfortable in the office.
1.800.565.4011 | officeinteriors.ca
Studies have shown that the
proper office furniture can not only
enhance workplace productivity, it
can also have a positive impact on
employee heath, as well as office
culture as a whole. Because of this,
it’s crucial to know what to look for
when researching office furniture
that is functional, comfortable,
and adaptable to the needs of
each employee. With this guide,
you’ll get a closer look at the latest
advancements in office furniture,
as well as the trends that are
enhancing workplaces across the
country.
1
Embracing Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of designing your workplace
with the abilities, as well as the needs, of your employees
in mind. If you’re committed to providing your employees
with a work environment where they can thrive,
ergonomics should be at the forefront of every decision
you make.

Modern ergonomics have played a role in many office

furniture advancements, including:

Sit/Stand desks - In recent years, research has

shown that the amount of time we spent sitting can have
a negative impact on our health—increasing our risk of
everything from diabetes and obesity to some forms of
cancer [1]. These findings have led to a rise in popularity for
sit/stand desks. Just as the name suggests, these desks
encourage standing while working, and can be adjusted
between sitting and standing heights. The health benefits
associated with sit/stand desks are extensive, with
researchers discovering that choosing an active office life
over a sedentary one may result in a reduction in the risk of:

• Obesity [2]
• Metabolic problems [3]
• Cardiovascular disease [4]
• Some forms of cancer [5]
• And more!

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Height adjustable desks - While sit/stand desks
have numerous potential health benefits, they are not for
everyone. Those who prefer, or have to, sit at their desk all
day will appreciate the convenience of height adjustable
desks. These ergonomic desks can be adjusted to meet the
needs of individual employees, ensuring they are maintaining
optimal posture throughout the day. A simple adjustment
such as this can reduce physical stress and the potential for
neck, back, and shoulder injuries while working.

Lumbar support - When employees spend a great

deal of time sitting down, they have a natural tendency to
slouch forward, resulting in lower back strain. Office chairs
with effective lumbar support work to correct this problem
by remaining flush with the small of the back, ensuring
the shoulders and pelvis are properly aligned, as well as
maintaining the natural curve of the lower back. Proper
lumbar support works to maintain natural sitting positions,
allowing employees to put more focus on getting their
work done and less focus on getting comfortable.

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Ergonomic Accessories - Ergonomics can be used
to improve nearly any aspect of the office, and simple
accessories can go a long way in transforming every
workstation into a hub of productivity for employees.
Some of the more popular ergonomic accessories available
today include:

• Keyboards
• Footrests
• Laptop stands
• Height adjustable monitor display arms
• Back rests
• And more!

If you don’t have the budget to invest in a complete

ergonomic overhaul, these accessories can keep your
employees comfortable, increasing their productivity and
happiness in the process.

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A Modern Office Requires
Modern Furniture
Office spaces are changing, and you need furniture that
can grow and adapt with your needs. Modern office
furniture is modular and multi-functional. Perhaps more
importantly, in work environments that are increasingly
emphasizing team dynamics, modern furniture maximizes
your collaborative capabilities.

Let’s take a look at how modern furniture benefits

any workplace.

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Modular Walls Ensure Your
Office is Adaptable
Modular walls help ensure your workplace can adapt
to meet changing requirements without the need for
traditional construction. These walls allow you to partition
space as needed, easily allowing for the construction of
private offices, boardrooms, and collaborative workspaces.
Not only do modular walls foster collaboration and team
dynamics, they can also save the costs associated with
construction and clean up.

Reconfigurable Tables That

Move With You
In the modern office, employees are rarely tied to their
desk. Instead, they are working together in collaborative
spaces, and their tables need to be able to work with them.
Many modern office tables offer built-in A/V, data, and
power solutions, ensuring employees are able to charge
their devices, share files, and collaborate on projects
regardless of where they’re set up. Modern office tables
should also be able to move with your employees, which is
why many of them include wheels. This makes it easy to set
up educational spaces for training exercises or seminars
taking place within the office.

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Modern Office Furniture
is Key to Enhancing
Productivity
When employees have access to the tools they need,
productivity will flourish. Modern office furniture and
solutions adapt to the way your employees work. Whether
you’re rearranging your space on the fly, collaborating with
co-workers, or partitioning space, modern office furniture
ensures your space, as well as your employees, are ready to
adapt and thrive.

The Importance of Aesthetics

Aesthetics can play an important role in improving productivity, health, and culture
around the office. For example, studies have shown that employees who work in
offices with access to natural light sleep, on average, 46 minutes more per night and
have a higher quality of life than those working in windowless offices[6]. Furthermore,
researchers have concluded that “The architectural design of office environments
should take into consideration how natural daylight exposure may contribute to
employee wellness[7].”

Adding plants to the workplace can also be of great benefit to your employees. In fact,
one study that introduced plants into the work environment found that employees
experienced a reduction in tension, depression, anger, and fatigue[8]. This study
concludes that the simple addition of plants to the workspace can have a major impact
on the happiness of employees, which, in turn, influences their health and productivity.

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The Benefits of a
Modern Office Extend
Beyond Productivity
Outfitting your office with modern furniture and Taking the time to invest in
accessories that are designed with your employees in your office space can go a long
mind can have a domino effect. By cultivating an office way toward improving your
environment that employees enjoy, you’ll see a reduction employees’ productivity, health,
in sick days, as well as the costs associated with them. and happiness. Employees want
With more employees in the office more consistently, to feel valued, and providing
you’ll be better able to foster an environment that places them with the right furniture and
an emphasis on collaboration. With an environment that environment is an important first
employees love—and results to show for it—you’ll begin step to maximizing their potential.
to attract the attention of top talent, who will provide even
further benefits to your organization as a whole.

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Contact Our Workspace
Experts for Your
Consultation Today
If you’re ready to outfit your office with the modern
furniture and accessories that your employees deserve,
Office Interiors can help. When you contact us for your
free consultation, you’ll learn more about our customized
designs and how they can impact everything from
employee happiness to productivity. We can also make
suggestions for which versatile office furniture solutions
are right for your unique needs.

Contact our workspace experts 1.800.422.4011

today to get started.

Dartmouth Moncton Fredericton Sydney Bathurst Edmunston

[1] - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17sitting-t.html?_r=0
[2] - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24532996
[3] - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18252901
[4] - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005
[5] - http://www.livescience.com/35953-prolonged-sitting-raises-breast-colon-cancer-risk.html
[6] - http://www.journalsleep.org/Resources/Documents/2013AbstractSupplement.pdf
[7] - https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201306/exposure-natural-light-
improves-workplace-performance
[8] - http://www.ngia.com.au/Story?Action=View&Story_id=1686