Here at Innov8, we put people first in all designs. We optimise your office space for your employees. The space we spend our time in has an impact on our mental health. On average we spend 160 hours per month in work. A good office design can improve mental health. It is critical that your office design is optimised to support your employees mental health.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is becoming a concern for employers across the UK, and nearly a third of UK businesses state that mental health and well-being is more important than physical illness. By creating opportunities for breaks or developing more open-plan spaces, employers can positively impact the lives of people working for them.

Your employees’ mental wellbeing matters. Not only does it have an impact on their ability to work productively, but looking after employees is part of a business’ role in society.

Mental health is constantly talked about, however, there is still a stigma associated suffering. As a society, we must do everything we can to help those in need. Evaluating the way we work and trying to understand how it affects employees is part of that process.

Interior design and layout can have both a positive and negative impact on mental health. Have you ever thought about how your office could be affecting staff morale and mental wellbeing?

Poor acoustics can lead to a noisy work environment which can be distracting for workers. Those exposed to excessive noise for long periods of time are more likely to show symptoms of stress. In the long term, this stress can lead to issues such as depression and anxiety.

Cluttered, closed off or confined work areas mean employees lack personal space, which can inhibit concentration and productivity.

On top of this, restricting natural light can be linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression associated with the change in weather and climate, particularly common in winter.

How improving your office design and layout can help mental health

The benefits of redesigning an office can be both quantitative and qualitative. A more motivated workforce can lead to greater productivity. Fulfilled staff are less likely to suffer from mental health issues.

Not all mental health problems are linked to a person’s place of work, but a well-designed office can create a positive environment to talk about issues with management or peers.

Absenteeism can be improved too. A report by Bupa found that an estimated 743,000 employees in the UK took long-term absence in the last 12 months due to mental health issues.

How do our office designs improve mental health?

We aim to create more open environments, giving your workers enough personal space and freedom.

We complete a workplace analysis which will optimise your office for light, material and space.

If you would like to discuss your office environment or have any questions, please get in touch. Call us on 028 9023 8180 or email hello@innov8office.com