Quirky offices are alright by us!

As ‘cool’ offices of free food, football tables and bring-your-pet-to-work days become more popular, it’s a worry that integrity and professionalism are being compromised.

In a recent article from Forbes, they claim that, “It’s a struggle with the line between personal and professional, as work becomes play and vice-versa. If we can’t figure out if we’re on a date or networking, how are we supposed to figure out how to act at the office?” And it’s a valid worry, but what I propose as a successful medium is making the office as eclectic as you like, as long as there are guidelines to the working day, which are readily enforced.

There needs to be rules to your quirky office, such as non-business talk only taking place away from desks or a relatively strict attitude towards length of breaks. Other guidelines could be put into place too, such as a growth in perks matching your length of service at the company.

Giving team members these extras is a reward, and workers need to know that they have to hit certain targets and expectations in order to reap the rewards. It’s all about respect between employers and employees and, if that balance is maintained, there is no down side to offering team members home comforts in the office.

[caption id="attachment_16952" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Photo from 900house[/caption]

What are the perks of spending more money and attention on your office space?

By offering perks, you’ll attract a high standard of talented employees. The younger generation of employees want to work in comfortable and fun office environments and, spending so many hours of their lives in the office, they rely and judge the job on the social aspects, more now than previously.

The money paid out on your office space will find its way back into your pocket eventually as training costs will be less, due to staff retention. It’s not convenient for anyway to have to train new staff repeatedly, so with a permanent and happy team around you, because of the great work environment you offer, it’ll always be business as usual. And with experience in the role, people will know how to balance their workload and playtime.

By allowing pets or children into your workplace, you'll not only save your employees a lot of hassle but this can have benefits to your health. According to the How stuff works website, an experiment showed that 37% of people saw a reduction in anxiety after spending a short time with a pet. They claim that pets can lower stress levels, blood pressure, depression and anxiety – ideal for keeping your team motivated in the office.

With most offices situated in urban areas, a new trend of ‘cool’ offices are recreating a rural setting in areas of the office e.g. in breakout areas. Does this do any good? According to Moredays, green is one of the best colours to increase productivity as it symbolises nature and therefore makes you more relaxed and clearheaded.

There will be many people for or against this reinvention of office space but, from our side, it seems like the right way to go.

The younger generation want to be in an office that cares about how they feel at work. Business owners are realising the various aspects of office life that they could improve, which might motivate their employees and, therefore, drives their business revenue up.

This is a win-win situation for businesses and their teams. Keep going I say, the more quirky, the better!

[caption id="attachment_16953" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Photo from Bizbash[/caption]