When undertaking a fitout or refurbishment, the obvious focus is on the physical aspects of the process.
Staying in the same tenancy or sourcing a new space, closed offices or open plan workstations, design, sustainability and technology are options that all require ample attention and often overshadow the intangible elements of the fitout or refurbishment process.
The office environment has a significant impact on employee wellbeing and efficiency, so it is important to take the time up front to ensure a future workplace is matched to a company’s business strategy, and that employees are strongly considered in the process.
With repeated buzz surrounding Activity Based Working (ABW) or Agile Working, it is crucial that companies understand the right workplace strategy for their unique employee blend, rather than just adopting the latest trend.
Engaging with employees prior to any workspace change is vital to understanding behaviours and personality traits, and then aligning those to the workspace, with linkage to predictive behaviours to maximise efficiency.
Employee engagement is crucial to the overall success of a fitout or refurbishment. It helps a company to analyse intangible elements, such as an office environment that an introvert would excel in, versus the most suitable workspace for an extrovert. It also assists to recognise when a considerable change in workplace strategy is required, and then encourages examination of the impact that this will have on staff, as well as strategies for risk mitigation.
Change management is a vital factor in maintaining business continuity and experiencing a successful fitout or refurbishment.
Constant communication throughout the building process ensures that employees are prepared for the change of space and minimises any disruption to business operations or employee efficiency.
Change management can encompass actions as small as the provision of clear relocation and logistical details, carefully managing the transfer of belongings. It also includes larger scale emotional attention through the recognition of a potential impact to employee efficiency and happiness, such as the transition from closed offices to Activity Based Working.
The evolution from ownership of space to a different desk daily can have a significant psychological effect on employees.
Change management can alleviate this emotional risk through the implementation of a strategic plan to counteract any potential negative change repercussions. It can therefore assist in ensuring a smooth transition to a new space with increased employee wellbeing and satisfaction. The positive impact this has on company efficiency is significant.
What feels like an overwhelming process can actually be quite simple. The best approach is to engage a fitout and refurbishment contractor early in the process to avoid any conflict between the design and construction processes that require consistency to allow for workplace wellbeing.
When appropriate to the client, the right contractor will encourage the engagement of change management experts to ensure that both the construction delivery and employee move are seamless. A quality fitout isn’t impactful without efficient and happy employees to fill the space.
There are a multitude of physical options to explore when considering a new office environment. But the intangible options are just as crucial. The selection of the right fitout or refurbishment contractor early in the workplace journey is fundamental in ensuring all elements are considered, setting a company up for success.
A contractor can extend the process to be greater than just physical and will engage with the appropriate consultants to provide the right approach to address employee wellbeing at the offset.
Happy employees are efficient, produce quality outputs and stay at companies longer, ensuring that the investment into employee wellbeing is not only an obvious choice, but a profitable one.
As fitout and refurbishment specialists,
ISIS are committed to ensuring a smooth project delivery for our clients, with zero disruption to business operations and positive impacts to employee wellbeing. For further information, please contact
