2020 was all about surviving a pandemic that none of us could have prepared for, and for many of us, that meant leaving the office to work from home. But with the vaccination schedule picking up, soon we are going to be able to think further than mere survival. Employers and employees may actually be able to start thinking about how to thrive post-pandemic, and whether this includes returning to the office.
For many people, what they miss at home is the in-person connection and collaboration. What they definitely don’t miss are all the hygiene risks associated with being in an enclosed space with other people.
So how can employers create safe and welcoming spaces to which employees actually want to return, and which will give employees the opportunity to reconnect (safely) with colleagues and co-workers?
Encourage returning to the office:
We’ve compiled a short list of 5 simple things that you can do to create a workplace that does more than simply meet hygiene protocols, and actually encourages not only returning to the office, but also thriving in the workplace.
1. Invest in office plants
Adding plants to your workplace will not only make your workplace look more inviting and appealing, they’re also good for your employees’ physical and mental wellbeing.
According to a 2014 study by the University of Exeter having plants in the workplace significantly increased workplace satisfaction, self-reported levels of concentration, and perceived air quality. They also increased productivity levels by up to 15%.
Lead researcher Marlon Nieuwenhuis, from Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, said: “Our research suggests that investing in landscaping the office with plants will pay off through an increase in office workers’ quality of life and productivity.“
Consider interior landscaping services from Ambius to breathe some fresh air (literally) into your office, and be ready to reap the benefits of employees returning to the office.
2. Hang some wall art
Wall art – or art on canvas as we call it at Ambius – can be a wonderful way of creating a more visually appealing office environment without the capital expense of purchasing art that may not appeal to all colleagues.
Our wall art is divided into themes, and images within the theme are changed on a regular basis. You can view our art on canvas catalogue here.
3. Make hand hygiene second nature with SaniGreen
By now we all know we need to wash, dry and sanitise our hands regularly, and especially if we are in shared spaces such as the office, so why not make hand sanistising an enjoyable experience one for employees who do decide on returning to the office?
Our most recent innovation, SaniGreen, aims to meet that brief by housing an elegant, no-touch hand sanitiser within an equally appealing plant stand that includes a live (or silk) plant. You can read more about SaniGreen here.
4. VIRUSKILLER™ air purifier
Now that we know that Coronavirus can be spread via the air to people, employees considering returning to the office are going to want reassurance that the air they breath is safe. What better way to provide that reassurance than by installing a VIRUSKILLER™ Air Purifier?
VIRUSKILLER™ kills 99.9999% of viruses in a single air pass, including Coronavirus*. Installing these units will improve indoor air quality and stop the airborne transmission of infectious illnesses, making indoor spaces safer and more appealing to employees.
Improving poor indoor air quality with a VIRUSKILLER™ air purification unit will help you with improving overall workplace productivity. Read more about that in our previous blog post.
5. Premium scenting
Our sense of smell is the most powerful of all our five senses and is closely linked with emotion and memory. But smell can have an effect on more than just emotion and memory. According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, just the smell of coffee could make people more alert and energetic.
Businesses can draw on the power of smell by using Premium scenting from Ambius to help establish deeper emotional connections and more positive responses from their customers, visitors and employees. Read more about the power of scent here.
Ambius can assist with all of these initiatives to create a workplace that does more than simply meet hygiene protocols, and actually enables employees to thrive.
Contact Ambius today for a free workplace survey and quote.
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