IBA survey: Factors for well-being in the workplace
Recently the “Industrial Association for Office and Working World - iba” (www.iba.online) a study on well-being in the workplace. The aim of the study was to shed light on the various aspects of daily office work and to focus on the employees. Central questions such as “What environment do you feel comfortable in?” or “Which work environment helps you be more productive?” provide information about how work spaces can be made more attractive in order to significantly increase employee satisfaction.
As part of the study, 1,013 employees who were selected using a systematic random procedure and who work in an office were surveyed.
The 2017 study is based on a survey carried out by the forsa company in Germany. As part of the study, 1,013 employees who were randomly selected and worked in an office were surveyed.
The result of the study is therefore not surprising. 78% of employees are satisfied with their working environment or the furnishings of their workplace. What is particularly interesting for Buerostuhl24.com is the fact that a “comfortable office chair” is mentioned first. 98% of those surveyed still attribute the office chair to the central role in satisfaction at work. But only 82% actually have a comfortable and ergonomic office chair.
Of all those surveyed, 63% have the opportunity to individually design and decorate their office workspace. However, only around 36% are allowed to actively participate in the selection of the office chair.
What is striking is that the respondents largely agree in their assessments across all age groups. However, there are differences depending on the size of the office unit in which the respondents' desks are located. The more workstations an office has, the more likely it is that users will become dissatisfied. The worst performing are the offices of smaller companies with a maximum of 50 employees. One in four employees there is dissatisfied with the equipment in their workplace.
We know from years of experience how important an ergonomic and therefore back-friendly Office chair is. After all, we spend a good eight hours on it every day. Material and workmanship are just as important as individual adjustment options for the seat and backrest. A relaxed and productive sitting posture is only possible if the chair can be adapted to the respective needs.
Finally, those involved were asked whether a well-designed workplace had a positive effect on their productivity. Four out of five participants were convinced that there is a connection between workplace design and productivity.
Employees in Germany also attach great importance to good technical equipment in their workplaces.
Workplace design and productivity
Finally, employees should assess whether they are more productive in a work environment in which they feel comfortable. 78% of those surveyed were completely sure, 21% assumed that there was at least a small effect, and 1% did not believe in such a connection. This question received the strongest approval ratings from those who are not satisfied with their current jobs. Among them, the proportion of those who are convinced of the connection between well-being at work and their own work performance is 82%. and thus turn them into ambassadors for their own company.
An interesting detail can be seen in the comparison between employees who sit in a private office and those in larger office units. Anyone who is used to working alone in an office obviously hardly misses visual contact with their colleagues. Those who share their office with colleagues, on the other hand, would be reluctant to miss direct contact.
Conclusion
A major shortcoming in many companies is the communication and break areas. Either they are not available in sufficient numbers or they are not designed to be very attractive.
At least 36% of all employees in Germany have experienced a fundamental change in their jobs in the last five years - usually with a positive result. The investments made for this are likely to benefit companies in two ways: directly in the form of increased productivity and indirectly through the opportunity to strengthen the loyalty of employees who feel comfortable at their workplace and thus turn them into ambassadors for their own company
Companies are recommended to be more courageous in involving their employees in the design of their workplaces. The involvement of employees in planning and setting up their work environments has so far been the exception. Additional potential could be released by increasing well-being in the workplace. Employers hardly have to be afraid of exotic demands. The majority of those surveyed would ensure that their workplaces continue to be functional and objective in the future.
The survey period extended from July 6th to July 13th, 2017. You can find the entire study here for download.