Attracting talent and retaining employees requires taking an interest in their daily and professional life within the company. The importance of workplace ergonomics and the objects that surround your employees greatly contribute to their well-being. Don’t know what to buy to make them happy? Here are some acquisition ideas to improve workplace comfort during the end of 2024.
1/ Water fountain: one of the essentials.
What’s more unpleasant than getting water in the toilet for your employees? Owning a water fountain can be done at a more than reasonable price thanks to services such as Water Tower and will represent a real plus for your employees. If you don’t have sufficient means, have water packs delivered or buy them yourself. Not only will the water be of better quality, but it will prevent your employees from feeling uncomfortable when they go to drink.
2/ Coffee machine: a dual function
It has the advantage of pleasing employees and anyone you wish to invite to your company. If you were to take a poll of the nicest person in the company, they might even win the award. In case you opt for a good machine and want to provide the pods, remember that there are different types. What else?! The coffee machine also represents a good way for everyone to take breaks and clear their minds, not to mention that it is a good time to take the temperature or pass on information without being in the formal.
3/ Kitchen area, fridge and microwave: reduce costs
A real meeting space for your employees at lunchtime. It can be equipped with plates/cutlery, a kettle, a microwave and a refrigerator. These allow employees to save money and avoid having to eat out every day and for those who are on a diet, it is a help. If there is only one sandwich shop near your workplace, allow them to make delicious meals and be able to reheat them.
4/ The anti-stress ball or even the punching ball! : reduce the pressure
Are you afraid that one of your employees will become a real psychopath or decide to self-immolate? To reduce the stress of your employees, simple ways are sometimes the most effective. An anti-stress ball represents a good practical and economical way to relieve stress… You can also organize yoga or massage sessions but for this you will need to have the following point.
5/ Rest room, toilets & Sofa: allowing you to recharge your batteries
The rest room represents a real place of relaxation for your employees who between two files might feel the desire to recharge their batteries in order to come back refreshed and ready! This can include a sofa which will not only allow a customer who is waiting to be comfortably seated but also your employees during a break. The rest room also allows you to take a few minutes after tasks that required a lot of concentration. It can boost productivity.
Often neglected, toilets are nevertheless a place that should be a place of comfort. For too many employees, they are an unwelcoming place, with questionable hygiene, where they especially fear being overheard… According to a 2022 IFOP study, 44% of employees experience their company toilets as a nightmare where they refrain from going. 21% would even prefer to go home earlier or between noon and two, rather than being overheard by their colleagues. However, despite their faults, company toilets remain a living space that employees use because the body has its reasons! It is also the only place where we can isolate ourselves, escape the gaze of others. You can therefore find refuge there, recharge your batteries, take a break, prepare for what comes next, meditate, put on makeup… Why not make your toilet a comfortable place?
6. Nap seats: for comfort
Do you feel that your employees are on the verge of exhaustion? Nothing is more counterproductive than lack of sleep. Google understands this and has implemented bubble seats that isolate noise and light and allow you to rest effectively in just a few minutes. Expensive but effective. Seats with headrests may be very suitable if you do not have the resources of Google.
7. Fresh fruits & drinks: for health
Some companies provide their employees with drinks and fresh fruit which they often do not hesitate to offer to their guests. They help satisfy small hunger pangs and give a little boost of energy at the end of the day. This provision also allows your employees to take care of their food hygiene and sometimes avoid snacking on snacks.
8. Decoration: The comfort of a workplace!
It directly influences the atmosphere in the workplace. We like that our personal interior is beautiful to relax in. At work, it’s the same thing. So don’t hesitate to give your walls a splash of paint with light, soothing colors. Designer furniture is welcome as well as green plants or paintings. The trend in recent years is to make premises more human with a home touch.
9. Weight training machine: for doing sports
There are several ways to relax while doing sports. So why not allow your employees to row or cycle? Some will take advantage of their lunch break to maintain their health and get in great shape. This can also allow them to save time or simply to meet in a room near them which may be crowded at the times when they can go there.
10. Table football or billiards: Table football, billiards, darts…
They create a friendly atmosphere as long as your employees are not afraid to use them. Don’t hesitate to be the first to set an example. If two employees no longer get along, a good party will sometimes resolve the problems. You can also run contests from time to time to show that you fully approve of their use.
11. Magazines & comics: for the atmosphere
Do you have a rest room but it’s a little austere? Do not hesitate to make the specialized press of your sector available in the break room or even comic books. In one case, your employees will be able to deepen their knowledge of the sector and in the other case they will be able to change their minds after a rush or in the event of tension. You can also think about putting a console with video games.
What if you had more resources?
12. Personalization by employees of workspaces
Do you want your employees to feel at home? Offer them a small budget to put up decorative objects or photo posters. Some will not hesitate to go hunting and find original objects that will help make your workplace more friendly and less austere.
13. Wall of post-its or blackboard
And if you run out of ideas, know that your employees do. Thanks to this table, they will be able to write down all their ideas to improve well-being in the company and will perhaps be a source of a real atmosphere within the company.
