What do employees want from their office location?

Here’s why you should consider an office in a prime central location for your business

As any business owner will know, keeping your employees onside is a big part of maintaining day-to-day success. In fact, studies have shown that happy employees are as much as 20% more productive than unhappy members of staff.

And there are an endless number of factors that can contribute to employee satisfaction, from task clarity and holiday allowance to the relationships they form within the office.

But one of the most important factors for any employee’s overall happiness is office location. Full-time workers generally spend at least 40 hours a week at their place of employment, so the right location is crucial. Here are just some of the things today’s employees expect from their office.

A room with a view

Nobody likes feeling like they’re being cooped up in a box all day, so providing your employees with a bright and airy location can help them feel more productive and more valued. Being able to look out at a bustling street or a city skyline is a great way of keeping minds active in your office.

In fact, exposure to natural light in the workplace is directly linked to job performance. Greater light means higher energy levels, while no natural light has been found to correspond with stress. Try to provide your staff with a spot where they can feel at one with the world around them, not apart from it.

Convenience and comfort

Comfort within the office itself is obviously crucial, meaning supportive chairs and monitors which promote a healthy posture are a must. Desk work is closely associated with back and neck pain over time, so you should try to provide the right tools to combat this.

However, comfort and convenience within the surrounding area is equally important. How far is your office from transport links? How far do your workers have to travel to find places to enjoy their lunch break? Considering these questions will help you make the right choice.

A sense of community

It’s much easier for your employees to feel like they are part of a wider industry or community if they are surrounded by other businesses, workers and brands operating in the same location. Even better, if any of these businesses operate within the same industry as your business, they may act as a source of inspiration for you and your employees when it comes to taking your business forward. This can also provide a fantastic opportunity to make priceless connections.

A central location

Being in the thick of things is unarguably one of, if not the most important factor when it comes to choosing the perfect office location for your employees. A central spot within a thriving hub doesn’t just bring a sense of excitement and energy to your workplace, but it also provides the convenience we mentioned earlier which is absolutely vital to the daily satisfaction of your staff.

City living is hailed for its close access to shops, transport, eateries and coffee stops, as well as cultural and entertainment hubs to explore, and city working is no different. Working out in a rural location might seem like a romantic notion to some, but it’s a high quality central location that truly allows workers to thrive and work to the best of their ability.