Best Workplace Amenities and Their Importance

Why Are Amenities Necessary?

People don't want to be stuck behind a desk every day, isolated from their colleagues and without distractions to reduce stress and boost serotonin.
Earning money and having a job, although good motivators, aren't enough for modern workers these days. They want to be valued, seen and expect more from their employers.
Small and big perks in the office have been shown to impact engagement levels, focus and workplace satisfaction.
The question is, what office facilities should companies have? Not all of them are valued the same, and depending on what makes your staff tick, some might even be pointless even to consider.

The perspective that "some office facilities are better than none" is wrong because not all employees value things equally. Some employees are dazzled by extravagance, while others require essential things that improve their work lives.
You need to tailor your choices by considering your staff members and asking for their opinions.

What Amenities Do People Actually Want?

It's a challenge to pinpoint what features brighten your employees' day, so consider the below a guideline on what's currently popular.

Fitness Facilities

No one's asking you to install a state-of-the-art gym packed with a water fountain and personal trainers.

However, having an equipped gym inside your work building might be just what workers need for stress relief.

As we all know, exercise releases endorphins, which helps people control their stress and focus better.

Games Room and Recreational Facilities

For those who don't find exercise therapeutic, a games room might be a more suitable diversion. Create a work environment that mixes business with pleasure by throwing in a couple of bean bag chairs, a ping pong table or a television. Doing so could boost morale and improve the corporate culture.

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Create a work environment that mixes business with pleasure by throwing in a couple of bean bag chairs, a ping pong table or a television.

Complimentary Food and Drink

Having access to freshly roasted coffee is a great start to the day for caffeine-dependent employees who need a cuppa to remain sharp and energised.
Otherwise, offering fruit and snacks to nibble on might also make staff happy, knowing their wellbeing is being looked after through food.
Introducing after-work drinks or doughnut Fridays might also show workers they're supported and valued after a tough week.

Light-filled Rooms And Space

Staff members might not be swayed by cosy bean bags, really good coffee or jam doughnuts if they're working from inhospitable working environments.
Sometimes changing the layout so that employees' workstations are spacious and positioned next to windows motivates people, fuels productivity and stops them from leaving the company.

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Sometimes changing the layout so that employees' workstations are spacious and positioned next to windows motivates people, fuels productivity and stops them from leaving the company.

Quiet Spaces & Collaborative Spaces

Having separate spaces to concentrate and collaborate is crucial for the healthy and balanced functioning of a company.
Come crunch time, people don't want to be disrupted by office hubbub, and neither do they want to sit in complete silence that stifles their creativity and prevents them from engaging with other people.

Outdoor Spots

Featuring more often on commercial listings are rooftop balconies or courtyards. Not only are these great spaces to socialise, but are valuable in post-COVID times because they enforce safe social practices because they're outdoors. Additionally, having a rooftop terrace from where you can enjoy drinks, views, and good company just appeals to the social creature in all of us.

Now That We're Heading Into A Post-pandemic World, Have Amenity Demands Changed?

Vaccination rates have ramped up in Australia, which means that people are returning to the office en masse.
Employers might be eager to get their staff back into the office, but there's a clear divide among staff members, some of whom resist the idea altogether and others needing reassurance that it's safe or looking to work hybrid.

With All This In Mind, Will The Same Amenities Work To Put Bums Back In Seats?

COVID-19 has changed our views on many things, including what office facilities we find most valuable in the workplace. Below are the top features that set workplaces apart from others in these changing times.

Contributes Toward Safety And Wellness

Luxurious office facilities that possess that "wow factor" are less likely to impress than things that make us feel safe against a virus that we continue to battle against.
For example, using touchless technologies will prevent us from touching germy surfaces to access and exit buildings. These advancements may also allow us to use our smartphones to control lifts or sanitise our hands at touch-free cleaning stations before entering the workspace.
Other securities might include cleaner air circulating the office space with an advanced filtration system. Although expensive to install and maintain, it's a surefire way of keeping staff present in the office (and not down with COVID). If HVAC falls outside the budget, having outdoor spaces where employees can breathe fresh air and socialise safely is helpful.

Safe Socialisation And Collaboration

Remote working keeps us safe but is an isolating working style. Having the chance to be around colleagues and like-minded folks will pull people back into the office, but only if safety precautions are implemented.
This means spacing desks out and putting a safe distance between colleagues while still providing them with access to each other.

Personal Wellness

The pandemic has been a great source of stress and worry for a lot of us, both personally and professionally.
Setting up wellness programmed at work, whether that's with yoga classes, counselling, or something related, might help workers manage their mental loads and provide them with a good enough reason to work at the office.

Small Features to Reduce Stress

Stress can kill productivity. What can help is a well-designed office setting with natural features, including desk plants, walls of greenery, or even a soothing water fountain.
If none of these elements is possible, adding a few paintings and decor that emanates the outdoors might lower feelings of strain and stress.
Being in a good location, close to a host of office facilities, can help with stress and other negative emotions.

What do Office Hub Members Want?

The past 18 months have been tough on us all. What we've learnt through this time is that our priorities have changed. What lured us into the office space before the pandemic might not be enough to influence our decision to come back to the office.

According to our data, the top of the list of Sydney's workforce includes natural light, 24/7 access, furnished workspaces, creative workspaces and more. If you want to get your employees excited about working in the office again, ensure you've got their needs and wants covered!

Are you thinking of expanding your business to the United Kingdom? For businesses looking for workspaces with top notch office facilities in the UK, Office Hub is perfect for comparing options. Office hub offers a helps you find your dream space, from serviced office suites to shared offices, and its workspaces are adaptable and convenient for businesses of all sizes. In addition, we have serviced office options in dozens of British cities, including Leeds, Birmingham, and London.