Progressive business leaders realise that employee engagement is a genuine bottom line issue.

Whilst disengagement is a result of several variables, the importance of the physical workplace on employee behaviour and attitudes, and the resulting employee engagement, is a significant contributor to an engaged team within an organization.

Creating work spaces that accommodate the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of employees can positively and directly impact workplace culture and ultimately the financial success of an organization. Colour is an essential and cost-effective ingredient in the total mix.

The consequences of disengagement

Recent research indicates that roughly only 25 per cent of Australian employees are engaged, whilst 25 per cent are not engaged and the remaining 50 per cent are just doing enough to stay out of trouble.

Lack of employee engagement contributes to greater absenteeism and staff turnover.

Both of these factors, along with associated toxic employee attitudes, can silently sabotage your profitability with both short and significant long-term consequences.

Whether you are relocating and fitting out a new space or renovating an existing one, cutting corners or minimising costs may cost you far more over the longer term.

Creating workplace environments that are designed to foster engagement

Strategic use of colour and other design elements can be used to enhance well-being and foster interpersonal collaboration, ultimately leading to a more positive work place and higher engagement.

A well-designed and carefully planned office layout and its associated environment has been shown to:

  • Reinforce brand values to both employees and visitors to the work place
  • Provide an inspiring and beneficial working environment that enhances productivity, creativity, collaboration and engagement
  • Enhance the well-being of employees and management, which means less sick days
  • Foster company loyalty; when people enjoy coming to work, they will be more loyal to your brand and company values. Better well-being will result in less staff turnover. Research has shown that engaged employees are 87 per cent more likely to stay with an organization.

Well thought out design and implementation of strategic use of colour can be used to support the following needs:

Physical: Consider minimising glare by using proper lighting and suitable background colours. Provide for the ability to move around with a combination of indoor and outdoor areas or breakout spaces. Colours can be placed strategically to create energetic work spaces and breakout areas. Address acoustic needs so background noise from people or technology does not cause stress.

Cognitive: Specific colours used in combination, can be used to facilitate tasks such as solving problems, stimulating new ideas and innovative thinking and to reduce stress. Beware having an all-white environment, which may produce glare and will very likely be stressful as the eye will have nowhere to rest.

Behavioural and psychological: Corporate colours can be placed strategically in key areas to foster brand loyalty. Colour can be used to encourage interpersonal collaboration, with spaces and furnishings created for employees to communicate and contribute. When people can have meaningful conversations, they know they are valued by the organization.  As an example, orange is a great colour for breakout areas as it encourages social interaction in group situations.

Every space should be designed to enhance the well-being of employees

A workplace that has been specifically designed to support the physical, emotional and mental well-being of its inhabitants can help organizations create a positive workplace culture, leading to satisfied and engaged employees. By investing in creating such a workplace, your employees will know you care about them and be more productive.

Your business success depends on it.