A suitable working environment no doubt plays an important factor in productivity levels. With the introduction of hybrid working in many businesses in the UK, the need for employees to be able to transition between the office and home has become essential. 

Although working remotely has its perks, it can be challenging to maintain a high level of productivity without a suitable environment. Little changes such as a suitable workstation or eliminating distractions can be a great help; but what else can you do to improve your work environment? Let’s take a look. 

Have a comfortable setting 

One of the essential elements of a good working environment is how comfortable it is. This could mean the furniture around the office (or remote working space), potential co-workers, and the work culture too.  To ensure day-to-day productivity in your position, a comfortable setting is the first step. 

Have the correct setup 

Just like a comfortable work setting, your setup is just as important. Thanks to a bundle of technological innovations, employees are able to access systems and software from anywhere at any time. However, with the bundles of tech available, without the right setup, it will not be as effective. This could mean having a dedicated workstation away from the office or having the correct tools in-office to work effectively.  

Depending on your role, being equipped with everything you need to work to the best of your ability is crucial.

Consider hygiene    

Hygiene is probably one of the factors that were overlooked before the Covid-19 pandemic, but its importance is highlighted immensely now. Especially in-office, workstations should be kept clean all the time. It’s very easy to let dust build up over time, but it could have a detrimental effect on both your health and your workstation. As well as dust build-up, consider how germs can travel with you in the working environment and at home. 

You’re in the workplace for most of your day, so hygiene should be an important element of a suitable workplace. 

Personalise your space/workstation 

Whilst personalisation may not necessarily be applicable when it comes to working from home, adding a personal touch to your work environment isn’t uncommon or a bad thing.  From personal pictures to calendars and your favourite merchandise, there are many ways (within reason) to customise your workspace. Laptop and desktop stickers have become fashionable accessories – maybe it’s worth a try! 

Use appropriate lighting 

Appropriate lighting and ventilation are important for a suitable working environment. Your work environment should be well-lit. Assuming the majority of the time workers will be using computers for tasks, appropriate lighting can prevent headaches and fatigue among employees. Employees in different sectors may benefit from different types of lighting. For example, designers may feel more creative if the lighting is a certain colour. Whereas general marketing or PPC professionals may benefit from a well-lit workspace.  

Ensure space for communication 

Communication is vital in every job role, and having spaces (or safe spaces) to do this is vital for an inclusive and cohesive working environment. Although these spaces are important for offices, when working remotely, it is important to have a regular method of communication with colleagues. Along with the traditional methods of phone calls and emails, technology has allowed colleagues to communicate via video through applications such as MS Teams and Zoom. 

Applications like Trello and ClickUp allow employees to monitor projects and communicate on progress wherever they are. For professionals in the Project Management space, these are vital tools to ensure regular communication when working remotely.