Choosing Office Furniture for the Optimal Employee Experience

Choosing Office Furniture for the Optimal Employee Experience

Leading companies focus not just on customer experience, but also pay attention to the employee experience.  Starting with the outside environment, attention is paid to the overall offering of the office buildings.  Offices that are established in historic districts or older buildings are retaining ties with the past, while modern structures remain consistent with the spirit of its design. Inside, a livable atmosphere that’s welcoming and focused on employee comfort and health will continue as a standard to achieve.

Frame the Attitude

Starting the week and each day with the right mindset includes having an inviting atmosphere that doesn’t appear crowded and overwhelming. Office design and set up becomes an important foundation for creating a favorable experience by showing an interest in people. It’s an investment in human capital, the most critical resource for any for-profit or non-profit organization.

Little things matter like having plenty of natural light and outdoor views for a change of scenery while other elements include:

  • Coffee bars
  • Comfortable private spaces and lounges
  • Wellness incentives

Tie in to the Community

A one hundred-year-old Nabisco factory in Pittsburgh is now one of Google’s 21stcentury offices, located on the penthouse floor. A local architectural firm’s design pays homage to the building it occupies by acknowledging the community’s history and links to the present day.  Exposed brick in the reception area with the Google logo over it, along with a huge photo of the well-known Smithfield Street Bridge, are among the touches that connect workers with the surrounding area.

In Southern California, employees often commute from completely separate regions, but we’re familiar with the landscapes. Mountains, the beaches, and sports teams are used as inspirations to connect us with our surroundings and make us feel right at home.

Current office layouts are being driven by the desire for shared ideas and relationships. A drive to communicate and collaborate together is essential for offices to create community.

Create Livable Work Spaces to Enhance Employee Experience

Wellness including ergonomic furniture that promotes movement are ways offices are enhancing the quality of life within the workspace. Work can get stressful, so a livable office that offers relaxing spaces to deal with challenges of winning new accounts or pleasing clients can provide a sense of relief from the daily grind.

Having a sense of freedom is important. Staff members typically like to have their own assigned desks, but being able to be mobile with open lounge areas can create comfort and well-being. Furniture that can adjust from one user to another include adaptable workstations and height-adjustable desks. These acknowledge individual needs.

Want to add movement to a meeting area? Or have an active area be flexible as a meeting area? Options like the Nomad Sport Conference Table can bring a team together.

In Creating an Optimal Employee Experience, a write-up for the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), employee engagement is often lacking. Younger workers are willing to go work where they think they’ll personally be happiest, and work cultures can’t make lasting fixes through cosmetic approaches alone.

Little things matter in the daily life of a company.  Maximize your office layout and employee experience by exploring what’s possible for your office space. 2010 Office Furniture has extensive experience providing the latest office furniture for large and small companies in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire, and you can submit your project questions and needs and speak to one of our experts.

Image Source: Friant

Harnessing the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

Harnessing the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

The benefits of collaborative workspaces are found in offices that are designed well and provide an efficient flow of information and open communication conducive to promoting camaraderie and relationships. A “flat” organization can maximize collaborative spaces in different ways than companies that are run top-down with a focus on individual performance.

Open office layouts are usually the only ones thought of as collaborative. A 2011 article from Harvard Business Review, Inventing the Collaborative Workspace, states that most buildings are suited for individual work with cubicles and private offices. But efficient communication can be built into many layouts. Read on to discover how to set up collaborative spaces and their benefits.

Completing Tasks

Where work tasks are carried out are natural places for collaborative workspaces. Tech companies have been known to drive the collaborative work space approach. Creative firms like ad agencies and production companies require brainstorming and group effort around campaigns and TV or film development.  Open bench seating is an excellent solution with options like Friant’s Verity Open Plan Benching that gives a modern, professional and orderly appearance to office spaces. Want to promote movement and creative collaboration? The G Series Desk Lounge by Scale 1:1 is flexible for many office needs.

What if your office is more traditional or requires individual attention to projects? It’s still possible to set a tone for collaboration and open communication using appropriate desking and dividers.  A range of cubicles are available that don’t create a generic walled look. The EO workstation by Global allows for personal boundaries and openness. Modular Walls by Open Plan Systems is another way to have personal space without solid walls.

Sharing Ideas

Providing brainstorming and discussion is another one of the benefits of collaborative workspaces. Even companies with brick walls and doors between desks can promote sharing. A common room or large open space can be turned into a comfortable lounge.  The Serafina Modular lounge offers professional seating solution to common office areas while sharing ideas in a flexible lounge system is the concept behind Share by Stylex.

In many cases, comfortable seating, a white board along with some beverages gets discussion flowing.

Solving Problems

A team that brings multiple perspectives to a problem can reduce individual burdens and provide lasting solutions. Not only can clients benefit, but internal needs such as deciding on new product launches can be handled effectively.  Bringing people together isn’t always easy so make sure to set up the physical environment to promote problem solving. Gathering around a conference table is the norm but a smaller, modular approach like the Dewey Collection can be great for presenting a topic and then inviting small groups to break it down.

Building Relationships

Everyone needs to contribute their skills and ideas to make an office function at its peak. Since people have up and down days, a team approach can provide support. A company that’s aiming for collaboration at work can go far by building healthy relationships.  Clearly defining goals and tasks in a community based on problem solving can lay the foundation for a satisfying work experience. Challenging days are unavoidable. But when the office layout is designed to promote discussion and collaboration then challenges can be overcome.

Enjoy the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

An office space is more than desks and chairs. If you are interested in designing your office to help you reap the benefits of collaborative workspaces, please don’t hesitate to ask us for help.  Our office furniture experts are here to guide you and help you every step of the way.

Image Source: OFS

Make Office Ergonomics Your Next Smart Move

Make Office Ergonomics Your Next Smart Move

What is Office Ergonomics

Keeping employees well and productive isn’t just about giving lectures on how to stop smoking or regulate blood pressure. Physical movement is one of the keys to keeping an office staff healthy.  It impacts work-related absenteeism (since prolonged sitting or standing stresses muscles and joints which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs), and can overall affect a company’s performance.  Oftentimes, office movement is directly related to office design and the furniture utilized by the staff.  Conditions like unwieldy office chairs can cause ailments, and existing health problems to persist and worsen. That is why addressing the issue of office ergonomics come is so important.  Office ergonomics apply the science that lies behind the interactions people have with their environment, so personal well-being and office efficiency occur at a peak level.

Don’t Just Sit (or Stand) There

Sitting for long hours or standing for long periods of time will stress the body’s joints. Poor posture aggravates muscles and joints.  One very common example is an employee working in front of a computer screen.  Ever pick up a heavy bowling ball? A person’s head weighs between 10 pounds to 14 pounds. Leaning forward to glance at the computer screen with gravity pulling down on the head will gradually strain the upper two vertebrae out of alignment. This will pinch the nerves in the brainstem, an area located at the bottom of the neck and shoulders, which ultimately will cause health problems for the employee.  This risk, however, can be alleviated through regular movement, proper workstation arrangements and chairs that flex with the body.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll – or at Least Stretch

When the topic of movement in the office is brought up, most workers think the main reason is to burn calories. But that’s just one of the resulting benefits.  Moving, even small stretching exercises, maintains a healthy blood circulation and is important for the health of the muscles. You can also promote movement by adding some key types of furniture to your workspace.  Height adjustable desks (for both collaborative spaces and individual offices) as well as a conference table that can double as a ping-pong table are effective office additions that can help keep employees moving.  It’s important to note that the key is to avoid being in one position for too long. Standing while working, which helps with movement, should still be done in brief amounts of time, perhaps intervals of no more than 15 to 20 minutes.

Workstation Standards that Raise the Bar — For Best Office Ergonomics

Proper workstation set up is, according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), “the first step in combating musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the office environment.”

OSHA standards are:

  • Aligning joints in the neutral position
  • Chairs adjusted correctly for the individual user
  • Backs supported
  • Computer monitors, keyboards, and accessories like a mouse are at the right height for the user

This is why adjustable office furniture is so important. Individual pieces can all be adjusted independently.

Sit On It with Confidence

Every office has people with a range of postures.  Chairs that don’t conform well to sitting positions can result in tight shoulders, breathing that’s constricted, and tightness in the thighs and throughout the legs.  That is why it’s important to have ergonomic chairs that allows users the freedom to move naturally while in a sitting position.  Ergonomically designed chairs like the Cherryman Eon Chair and 9 to 5 Seating’s Vesta Chair have lumbar support and an advanced tilt feature,  which helps these chairs to work well at conference tables and for individual office use.

Image Source: Humanscale

Five Benefits of Using Plants in the Office

Five Benefits Using Plants

Why We Need Plants in the Office

Concerned about office stale air?  Thinking about creating a positive mood? Check your office greenery and consider the five benefits of using plants in the office!  Studies have shown that indoor plants refresh breathing and rejuvenate the spirit. Read on and discover all the great health contributions of having plants in the office.

Plants Tackle Hazardous Materials

In the 1960s, swamp plants in Florida were shown to clean up the devastating effects of Agent Orange, the chemical that the U.S. infamously used during battle in Vietnam. An environmental researcher working with the military, B.C. Wolverton, Ph.D., made the findings and soon worked with NASA to counter-act indoor air pollution.

Sending astronauts to the moon and into orbit for long periods of time in a space station led NASA to clean up the effects of “off-gassing,” the slow release of chemicals from synthetic materials.

Buying quality furniture is important and near the end of this article are easy-to-follow tips to minimize off-gassing.

Plants Aid Office Wellness

By the 1980s, a new term came into being called “Sick Building Syndrome.” Wolverton released a full study by the end of the decade that focused on “energy-efficient buildings” and how both furniture and computer and electronic equipment would “off-gas hundreds of volatile organics.”

Here’s where plants became important. More research from England showed that buildings with the highest levels of microorganisms had the fewest symptoms. And the opposite scenario was true. People who had more ill symptoms worked in mechanically ventilated buildings containing low levels of microorganisms.

Plants Create an Indoor Ecosystem

How do plants work their magic? Water vapor they emit pulls the air’s contaminants to the root levels. The plant then converts it into food and microorganisms in the potting soil do the cleaning work.

Pollutants from the air are absorbed into the plants while they’re taking in carbon dioxide. That’s then turned into oxygen through photosynthesis. Here’s where the microbes come into play. They’re in the potting soil and they do a lot of the cleaning.

Plants Boost the Spirit

A home or office that has nicely placed greenery has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a way to spruce up the look of industrial grade gray. A 2014 study from the University of Exeter that was noted in Science Daily stated that a green office can boost productivity levels by 15%.

Plants also improve the air quality by raising humidity levels which benefits employees who have naturally dry skin and eyes. Dry air can also be troubling for asthma sufferers and spread germs leading to colds and flu.

Plants Absorb Sound

Air contaminants aren’t the only thing that plants absorb. Leaves and stems can capture sound waves and reflect them. That helps boost concentration levels.

In the open office, plants can act as green dividers in many creative ways. Open plan benching workstations could have small plants that are placed every several feet to create personal space.

In spaces with solid walls, plants on shelving can add color.

Recommended Indoor Plants in the Office

The following are some of the recommended plants for a healthy office:

  • Spider plants – known for purifying the air
  • Succulents – easy to care for and work well in small containers
  • Peace Lilly – are good for creating more moisture in the air
  • Aloe – a type of succulent; easy to grow and care for
  • Philodendrons – are popular as hanging plants

Tips to Reduce Off-Gassing From Office Furniture

  • Buy tables and desks that are well crafted.
  • Remove packaging outdoors since that’s where the largest concentration of gas is released.
  • Filter and circulate the air
  • Use plants as noted in this post

Read Also: Designing a Healthy Office
Main Photo: Loftwall Weave Screen
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Loftwall

 

3 Popular Office Layouts to Meet Your Office Culture

3 Popular Office Layouts to Meet Your Office Culture

The Importance of Office Layouts

An office layout that’s set up for maximum functionality and efficiency creates a productive environment. Achieving this optimal arrangement takes planning and accounts for all the necessary accessories and equipment.  Here is an overview of different office layouts, how each can be furnished, and the impact on the personal preferences of employees.

1. Open Office Layouts

A large space without walls is a simple definition of the open office. It’s a highly relational approach to work and fosters communication and collaboration. In practical terms, the layout can also be an easy way to manage people who do a single task like data entry. Tech companies and start-ups often benefit from this layout.  The challenge is that privacy is scarce and there are more distractions than in divided offices.

Seating and Workstation Options:

Adjusting for Personal Needs:

  • Letting employees work from home when they need privacy
  • Creating private areas using comfortable and state-of-the-art lounge chairs like Focal Point and Connection Zone
  • Using Co-op lounges for private, small group discussions and phone conferences

2. Cellular Office Layouts

A large space that’s divided using cubicle style desks offers greater privacy and more personal space than the open office. Benefits include being adaptable in space sizes and design. Sales organizations can benefit from this style where time is split between the office and going out to see clients.  The cubicle usually evokes images of corporate sameness with a dull gray interior and workers slotted into positions. However, today’s options are quite attractive. Instead of industrial grade partitions with desks squeezed in, the desk and cubicle are often one and the same.

Seating and Workstation Options:

Adjusting for Personal Needs:

  • Since cubicles can divide up a room, having an open area for lunches or lounging can offer variety.

3. Private Office Layouts

For an office space that already has hallways and walls, offices ensure the greatest degree of privacy possible. This style is found in top-down organizations and hearkens back to the days when the president of a company had the largest office or prized corner office.  Professional firms and companies where individuals need a high degree of focus in their work can benefit the most from this setup. The downside is that it hinders the relational aspects of work that younger generations enjoy and the layout can seem intimidating and overly formal.

The look of the furniture for private office layouts can reflect the company’s brand and the individual’s brand and personal tastes.

Seating and Workstation Options:

Suggested Innovative Office Layout Ideas

Be a trendsetter or invite employees to design their own office space whether the existing plan is open, made of cells or private rooms.

Shared and Personal Space:

  • Shared spaces can have individual lounge areas nearby. If you use a product like the Mayline – E5 Open Plan Benching that accommodates eight people, then each person could have an individual lounge chair nearby that has a reading lamp and available plug-ins.
  • Encourage the team to decorate according to their hobbies and interests: a library look, sports, or outdoor area.

A Middle of Room Lounge:

  • In an open office space, use modular cubicles or open plan benching around the sides. This is nice if windows let in plenty of natural light. Then in the middle of the room, create an open area for break-time reading, eating and beverage service.
  • Consider an arrangement like the Coact lounge or the Island Modular to bring people together.

Choosing Reception Furniture

The style of office layout will help determine the type of reception desk and guest chairs to use in the entrance of your office.

Designing Your Office Layout

Looking to design your own open, cellular or private office?  Let our experts help you!  2010 Office Furniture has more than 45 years of experience working with some of the most prominent companies in Los Angeles and Orange County, including Southern California Edison, Irvine Chamber of Commerce, The Honda Center, UCLA, Bunim Murray Productions, Hollywood Park Casino, Living Spaces, W Hotels, Sony Pictures Studios, Dignity Health and more.  Share your project with us today and talk to us about a complimentary space planning consultation.

Image Source: Hon

Checklist of Wellness Activities for 2019

Checklist of Wellness Activities for 2019

Mission: Wellness Activities

Make wellness an office priority with this checklist of wellness activities for 2019.

1. Move Often

Benefits:

  • Regular movements keep blood circulating well and prevent joints from stiffening. Movement can also clear the mind.

What to Do:

  • Stretch every 20 minutes while sitting at the desk
  • Use height-adjustable desks and tables to alternate standing and sitting throughout the day
  • Go for a brief stroll every few hours
  • Play games like ping-pong or have a magnetic dart board set up in a break area
  • Use ergonomic chairs that allow the body to move naturally

2. Drink Water

Benefits:

  • Water lubricates the joints, flushes out toxins in the body and helps battle tooth decay by maintaining saliva production. It also helps the immune system and delivers oxygen throughout the body.

What to Do:

  • Provide small bottles of water in break rooms and near lounge chairs
  • Place reminders in departments encouraging the team to “stay wet”
  • Provide packs of sugarless gum to chew and stimulate saliva production

3. Eat Well

Benefits:

  • Food is a personal issue for many. Don’t throw out doughnuts for every meeting but realize that eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits boosts energy, reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, and promotes healthy bacteria in the gut.

What to Do:

  • Have a vegetable tray with dip for office meetings
  • Invite departments to take turns providing something like apples or grapes as snacks in the breakroom
  • Ask a local store to provide a discount if enough employees buy their produce there
  • Have a local chef do a healthy pop-up lunch with the staff seated comfortably

4. Go Green

Benefits:

  • Plants provide a visual break in an office while refreshing the air. They can also raise humidity levels to soothe workers with dry and itchy skin.

What to Do:

  • Have employees bring in a favorite indoor plant
  • Use plants in hanging baskets or potted plants on tables as area dividers
  • Place small plants every several feet on open bench seating to provide personal boundaries
  • Use ficus trees to define departments in an open office

5. Offer Exercise Incentives

Benefits:

  • Staying active outside work becomes part of a healthy lifestyle. Moderate walking or running reduces stress and is foundational for those managing their weight.

What to Do:

  • Offer small rewards for those who have the most creative walk or run in a month
  • Provide up to 10% off gym memberships or yoga classes (not to exceed a certain amount)
  • Offer aerobics or yoga on-site
  • Install a multi-use conference table for ping-pong breaks

6. Evaluate Company Culture

Benefits:

Work by its very nature is challenging. Competitive environments come from companies striving to be their best and please their clients. Providing ways for people to decompress is important. Leadership plays an important role in this by:

  • Listening
  • Allowing time for constructive feedback
  • Adjusting as necessary

7. Wellness Activities for 2019 – Designing a Healthy Office

Many factors contribute to a healthy workplace.  Now that you’ve read the checklist for wellness activities for 2019, consider that a well-designed and furnished office space also promotes success.  Looking to design an office workspace that promotes health and well being?  Let our experts help you!  2010 Office Furniture has more than 45 years of experience working with some of the most prominent companies in Los Angeles and Orange County, including Southern California Edison, Irvine Chamber of Commerce, The Honda Center, UCLA, Bunim Murray Productions, Hollywood Park Casino, Living Spaces, W Hotels, Sony Pictures Studios, Dignity Health and more.  Share your project with us today and talk to us about a complimentary space planning consultation.

Read Also: How to Create an Experience-Driven Office Wellness Program
Main Photo: National Collete Lounge
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: National

Top List of Office Furniture Manufacturers

Top List of Office Furniture Manufacturers

Office Furniture Manufacturers that are California Cool

Today’s leading office furniture manufacturers provide office furniture that is easy to customize to the needs of employees. Whether you have an animation studio in Burbank or an architectural firm near downtown Los Angeles, a solution like open-plan desking from a maker like Maverick can create a welcoming collaborative work space.

California is home to several excellent office furniture manufacturers that create innovative and durable products for a range of businesses. An entrepreneurial spirit runs through each one and that includes a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

Maverick Desk

In the early 90s, the founders of Maverick Desk were doing all the work of creating desks for customers, packing the items, and handling sales. The hands-on approach gave them the knowledge and understanding to meet customer demands. Today’s cutting-edge automation at their site in Los Angeles allows the company to manufacture custom desks, conference tables and other office products within 72 hours or less.

DeskMakers

Turn an ordinary reception area into an inviting space with a customizable reception desk that has a sleek appearance. Flexible office design for lobby furniture, conference tables, and case goods are a strength for DeskMakers.

From its beginnings in East Los Angeles in the mid-sixties, DeskMakers has grown to be one of the leading office manufacturers on the West Coast. Innovation, and laughter, are among the core values that guide their manufacturing process.

9 to 5 Seating

Ergonomically designed chairs that are manufactured well reduce muscle strain when sitting for long hours at a work station. 9 to 5 Seating in Hawthorne is a forward-thinking manufacturer crafting chairs to meet the needs of specific industries like healthcare, hospitality, and environments that demand heavy-duty seating.

In its 30 years, 9 to 5 Seating has developed an all-inclusive approach to manufacturing that handles an entire process from design to powder coating—like 10 factories in one facility.

Friant

Professional firms like credit unions and municipalities needing smart-looking office furniture are among the customers who appreciate products made by Friant. The San Leandro-based manufacturer also provides excellent storage solutions with free-standing cabinets.

Environmental awareness is built-in to Friant’s process, using LED lights in the factory that vary the amount of energy used according to the needs.

ERG International

Corporations, universities, and healthcare facilities needing soft seating in lounge areas or attractive and sturdy chairs for stacking can find what they need with ERG International. Based in Oxnard, the family-owned manufacturer that started in 1981 offers unlimited color selections for a range of tables, cabanas and chairs.

Its automated system results in high-quality products that meet rigorous environmental standards.

Via Seating

A chair is “the single most crucial factor that can impact your health and wellness at work,” according to Via Seating. Companies that want unique “motion seating” solutions can look closely at Via Seating’s product line, developed with more than 30 years of manufacturing experience.

Chairs are made for every possible task in an office including outdoor seating with an innovative design.

Our Trusted Office Furniture Manufacturers

Every supplier that 2010 Office Furniture selects is carefully vetted for quality and compliance to environmental needs and safe manufacturing processes. Start-up offices and corporations wanting to re-configure their arrangements should contact 2010 Office Furniture for input on space planning.

Visit the Specials page to see current sale prices.

Refer to 2010 Office Furniture’s Commercial Office Furniture Partners page

Read Also: Office Trends that Keep Employees Engaged and Productive
Main Photo: Friant Novo Panel System
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Maverick Desk, DeskMakers, 9to5 Seating, Friant, ERG International & Via Seating

 

Update: Office Technology Trends 2019

Office Technology Trends 2019

Leveraging Smart Office Capabilities for a Worker-Friendly Environment

What the smart office looks like and how it functions depends on the company’s purpose and objectives. Today’s technology and current office trends supports an array of industries:

  • A financial planner wants new insights on a client and uses a smart CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
  • A manufacturing firm streams data to schedule equipment maintenance and conserve energy consumption.
  • A local school district troubleshoots connectivity issues
  • A warehouse uses autonomous robots to pull customer orders off shelves.
  • A video game firm and police department can use a technology like Virtual Reality to create simulations for completely different purposes.

What is the Smart Office?

A smart office gives employees the technological tools needed to work effectively in support of what the company wants to achieve. Office trends today strongly exhibits that working smarter isn’t just based on human intellect anymore.

Today’s technology is amazing, but the end game is meeting the needs of people. A well-planned smart office is responsive to the needs of workers and customers.

In the world of online retail and logistics, companies that deliver packages quickly make customers happy and are positioned to compete well and win future orders. Making it easy for a customer to place an online order is an important part of success in the supply chain. Warehouses use autonomous robots to quickly pull items off of shelves and package them for quick shipping.

Technology can work at a personal level, too. In a school, imagine a student who suffers from the fear of mathematics using a device equipped with Artificial Intelligence to map the student’s learning patterns. It can offer feedback and take the student through a step-by-step process to gain confidence and answer correctly.

Technology is made to function for an established purpose and fit within a workplace strategy.

Smart Office Benefits

The tech start-up coming out of one of the nation’s robotic hubs will certainly use the latest connective technologies, but mature industries like life-sciences, financial services, and education are sending and pulling from the Cloud.

Sensors have dropped in cost along with vision systems to collect constant streams of data in split second intervals to make decisions. Think of a self-driving or autonomous vehicle. Australian mining giant Rio Tinto uses self-driving trucks weighing 46 tons to transport iron ore. They can operate safely 24 hours a day if necessary and use a myriad of sensors to gauge the shortest distances to save on fuel.

Technology is responsive and unifying. Los Angeles has used a “centralized business intelligence system” to create efficiencies among more than 500 datasets spread across multiple city agencies. The data is accessed to work with private businesses, nonprofits, and universities.

Office Trends Point to Smart Office Furniture

Chairs and desks are no longer static objects. Estimates say that 26 billion “Internet of Things” devices (every day objects with embedded computing devices interconnected via the Internet, enabling them to send and receive data from one another) will be connected to office furniture in the next five to six years.

Offices already have access to innovative furniture. Height-adjustable desks are a reality and promote health by allowing staff to change positions while working. How about getting a reminder to stand now and then by a Bluetooth-enabled desk? Some desk models now have touchscreens embedded in the table to prompt workers with reminders for lunch and tasks to complete.

Sensors can also be implemented to determine the temperature and humidity at a desk for maximum comfort and energy efficiency.

Wireless charging panels will grow in popularity, too. Place a smartphone on a desk or table to power it up with no wires required. This can eliminate trip hazards like extension cords.

Stay up-to-date on office furniture innovations with the experience of 2010 Office Furniture, totaling more than 40 years in planning office set-ups and working with management teams to furnish entrepreneurial start-ups and established corporations.

Read Also: Digital Workplace Trends for 2019
Main Photo: AIS Calibrate Conference Table
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: AIS

Green Campaign Ideas for the Office 2019

Green Campaign Ideas For The Office

Being green at the office does more than conserve the planet’s resources. Employees also benefit from cleaner air and better lighting. Here are some easy ways to create your very own green office and promote a sustainable office environment.

Start with the Walls and Office Divider

Replace gray and brown cubicle dividers and make them come alive—literally. The easiest solution is to use hanging baskets filled with plants that grow well indoors, literally helping to create a green office. Succulents are low maintenance plants that come in a variety of shapes, and they only need watering every one to two weeks.

Also consider these plants that help purify the air: peace lilies, small potted cactus, bamboo, English ivy and the heartleaf philodendron.

While it’s possible to use partitions, shelving and bookcases work well for displaying the plants.

Office plants act as a natural air purification system, keep humidity at comfortable levels, and reduce airborne bacteria.

Find the Light

Natural light reduces electricity usage while promoting positive moods, alertness and assisting with metabolism. Workers with adequate sunshine also slept an average of 46 minutes longer per night than those who didn’t, according to a 2014 study by Northwestern University medicine and the University of Illinois.

Workstations should be within 25 feet of walls that have windows. Natural light practically “vanishes” after that distance. Consider using solar tubes or skylights in areas that don’t have windows. Quality solar tubes allow maximum light while keeping out hot air.

Use a smart office control for electric light to adjust lighting levels as the usage varies.

Use Ceramic Instead of Throwaways

For meetings and open houses, if your company has them, use ceramic mugs instead of styrofoam or other types of disposable cups. Use an energy efficient hot water pot to quickly heat water to boiling so employees can easily sterilize their own mugs during the workday.

Shout it from the Rooftops

Schools around Southern California have covered their parking lots and installed solar panels to harvest the abundant sunlight as renewable energy. Consider this for your office if the parking lot is currently open air.

Solar panels for commercial grade roofs may also be a solution, but study the options carefully.

Look to the Trees for a Truly Green Office

Offices can also reduce their energy output by planting trees strategically. Trees have additional benefits such as covering unsightly concrete walls, reducing traffic noises and making an area look appealing to attract customers, as noted by Treepeople.org.

Be Encouraging

Encourage walking, biking to work, and the use of public transit when driving to the office. Ask people to share rides to meetings whenever possible.

Sustainability is an important concept for all aspects of a professional and personal life. 2010 Office Furniture helps create office designs and layouts that are efficient and can sustain a company’s workflow needs and personal employee preferences.

Check our Services page in addition to our Products page and see how we’re able to lay out a workable solution.

 

Read Also:  Great Ways to Encourage Better Employee Health
Main Photo: Nevins Bio Canvas
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Nevins

Great Ways to Encourage Better Employee Health

Great Ways To Encourage Better Employee Health

Making the Office a Healthy Place to Thrive

Americans value being “healthy, wealthy, and wise,” as the old saying goes about being early to bed and early to rise. It’s smart advice to live by. Creating a healthy office environment by making a few investments in workplace health overall is fairly easy to do and it doesn’t have to strain the budget.

Any investments made are sure to generate a return as noted by the Harvard Business Review. The 2010 study showed that a dollar invested in wellness, can return an average a return of $2.71 through greater productivity, reduced absenteeism, and fewer healthcare costs.

Take a look at what you can do and see what some companies in Southern California are already doing.

Use Standing Desks

Okay. Apple, Inc. in Cupertino isn’t a Southern California company, but it is notable that the proper desks were emphasized for the 12,000 employees that are all located in the $5 billion dollar spaceship-style structure. Height-adjustable desks are in use throughout to promote workplace health. People are meant to move and not sit in one place for several hours at a time.

Install a Treadmill or Onsite Gym

Durable treadmills can give employees a walking break without having to leave the office. For companies that have more resources, install an onsite gym like Procore Technologies of Carpinteria. It made its mark developing construction management software and helps to keep its employees healthy.

Offer Fitness Subsidies

Give incentives for getting in shape. Honey, a downtown Los Angeles company that has a cash back program and coupon application for consumers provides fitness subsidies for its employees.

While at the office, make sure desks and workstations have ergonomic chairs that properly support the back, hips, and joints.

On-Site Yoga & Boot Camps

Bring the team together and do ab crunches on-site or stretch those muscles like HYFN in Playa Vista does, with its on-site yoga and boot camps. The movement makes for sharper focus on developing their cross-platform advertising solutions.

Provide Wellness Guidance for Finances and Workplace Health

Bring in top-notch experts to provide wellness guidance on topics like diabetes, weight management, and how to gradually start a fitness program. Roth Staff of Orange County also addresses financial health in its wide-ranging wellness programs for workers.

Encourage Lunch-Time Strolls

Provide a map of the most fun walk-able or jog-able areas near the office. Have an occasional meeting outdoors in a nearby park. Getting out reduces stress by clearing the mind and giving the heart a chance to pump.

Provide Relaxation Areas

It’s good for employees to also have quiet places to retreat to so consider furniture for lounge areas and unique one-on-one meeting space, especially in an open office environment.

A healthy office supports employees in their tasks just like properly selected office furniture. Make strategic purchases for desks, chairs, storage and more with the help of 2010 Office Furniture.

Read Also: How Ergonomic Chairs Help Staff Stay Healthy and Accomplish More
Main Photo: Maverick Apex 120° Station
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Maverick,