88 Cambridge Business January 2015 cambridge-news.co.uk/Business/

FOR anyone tasked with improving wellbeingat their workplace, it can be difficult to knowwhere to invest time and money. They canfind themselves looking at a wide range ofissues from mental health support,ergonomic desks, employee safety policies or

the tax implications of the cycle to work scheme.Yet, some Cambridge employers are certainly getting

things right around workforce wellbeing and performance.The city ranks among the top locations in the UK forbusiness in terms of its leading edge innovations (patentsper head) and high employment numbers. At the sametime, our city is also ticking quality of life boxes and we arethe most likely to cycle to work. So what are employershere doing so well?

Cambridge-based business psychologist, Kelly Dreweryhas been investigating what local employers have been upto and which things have the most impact on employeewellbeing. Partnering with Cambridge Plant Interiors andCOEL, she investigated how employers are using thephysical work environment to boost workforce wellbeing.

The three companies found employers were using acombination of practices to maintain wellbeing in theirworkplace. An effective wellbeing strategy considers fourelements – individual resilience, the challenges of the job,the environment and the organsation’s culture.

“When these elements are considered together,employers are more likely to benefit from improvedproductivity and performance as well as higher employeeretention and lower absence,” Kelly explains.

They conducted a survey with more than 70 employersand found that 62 per cent of people felt resilient tochange happening at work. Resilient people more often

had a view of naturefrom their workspace,social space wherethey could meet with

others or a managerwho cared about their

wellbeing.Nearly a third of survey

respondents who lacked views ofnature, plants in their office, artwork

or natural lighting, were foundto be less productive and were

less proud to work for theiremployer.

One local technology sector workersaid: “Trees, plants, views of nature, banterwith colleagues, natural daylight and asocial space nearby – these are all thingsI would choose if I were at home – theymake me feel more like a humanbeing!”Cambourne-based Global Graphics has

good views of the surrounding countryside,plants in the offices as well as plenty of spacein the building where people can becollaborative and socialise. They feel these

human resources

Talent Glue, Cambridge Plant Interiorsand COEL Office Furniture joinedforces to find out what makes for aproductive but jolly workforce

happyHow to keepeveryone

at work

Document: p088_cambridgebusiness1214.pdf;Page: 1;Format:(210.00 x 297.00 mm)

Cambridge Business January 2015 89

things all contribute to their workforce’s wellbeing.Practices at ProQuest, a global academic research

company, range from small touches such as puttingXbox’s in the communal recreational areas and havingliving plants in all areas, to wider measures such asinstalling full spectrum LED lighting which replicatesnatural daylight and alleviates seasonal affective disorder(SAD). They find installing the lighting throughout theoffice has delivered immediate and tangible results, withemployees feeling fresher, healthier, more focused andmore productive.

Spotify, whose global customer centre is based inCambridge, finds that involving workers in the design ofthe office is key to ensuring they are comfortable. Thismusic business has murals painted by their workers, acinema screen, free food and space to relax. They alsohave a significant spread of plants which have notablyhelped to improve the office air quality. Spotify confirmeda noted reduction in sick days after the installation ofplants.

NASA research found that plants clean the air betterthan any man-made mechanism, while researchers at

Harvard found that those who work with live plants intheir office experienced fewer coughs and colds, weremore alert, reduced stress levels, enhanced creativity andwere up to 15 per cent more productive than those whodidn’t have plants at work.

Of course, simply having a well-designed workplacewill not equate to good workforce wellbeing unless thereare supporting factors such as access to flexible workingor good communications.

As one pharmaceutical worker put it: “If you are doinga job you hate in a company that apparently hates you,brightly-coloured sofas and ‘inspirational quote’ wallmurals will make you hate it even more.”

The 11 per cent of survey respondents who sufferedfrom low resilience were more likely to feel in an ‘alwayson’ culture – affected by working excessive hours, nevertuning out of emails, having ‘crunch periods’, andconflicting work priorities.

Flexible working can be difficult to manage. AtMosesCameronWilliams Architects the leaders ensurepeople have clear responsibilities and know what theyare expected to deliver. There is mutual trust in people >

human resources

Plants helpto enrich theworkplaceas muchas an officethat has beenwell designed

Document: p089_cambridgebusiness1214.pdf;Page: 1;Format:(210.00 x 297.00 mm)

90 Cambridge Business January 2015 cambridge-news.co.uk/Business/

human resources

>> taking the time back when it is reasonable in thedelivery schedule. They have also designed their officeenvironment to enable a healthy lifestyle, so when peopleare working to deadlines they can feel comfortable.

Employee relations were also noted to have an impacton employee wellbeing. Organisations with higher levelsof trust between colleagues had better workforcewellbeing. However, some employers were using theoffice space to reinforce key messages that instil thattrust and reassurance.

Research earlier this year by the Chartered Institute ofPersonnel and Development found that organisationsbuild trust in their workforce through one of four routes:competence, transparency, altruism and predictability.The Cambridge companies involved in the research were

also found to be using their physical environment toreinforce these messages.

For example, the Royal Society of Chemistryreinforces its competence and knowledge through theclever naming of rooms. Even the reception clock isnumbered with scientific formulae. At print-techmanufacturer Xaar, much of the physical space is used tocommunicate transparent processes which areparamount to ensuring safety of their people. Attentionhas been paid to how workers move through thebuildings to ensure signs are suitably placed.

So, for anyone tasked with improving wellbeing attheir workplace, the researchers would recommendthinking about what you are trying to communicate toemployees about valuing their safety and wellbeing.

>>Provide symbols that show you careabout employees. Healthy snacks,breakfast cereals or a weekly fruitbasket all help ensure that yourworkforce are not going for long periodswithout eating and, as a result, feelingfatigued and exhausted. Plants cantransform an office environmentaesthetically and cleanse the air of themany harmful toxins that can affectwellbeing.

Encourage staff to build in time totake a walk outside during the day.Maybe you could host meetingsoutside where possible to gain accessto fresh air, stretch limbs and combatthe strains that can be felt from sitting ata desk all day.

Offer options to employees abouthow and where they work. Considerimplementing flexible working hourswhere this is operationally possible.Where the time and location is fixed,make sure the team can personalise thespace in a way that is compatible withthe company image and the team’sneeds.

Use aesthetics to communicate whatthe organisation values about itsemployees. The furniture says a lotabout whether employees are valued –ensure this fits the physical needs of thestaff such as desks which allow you towork while standing or sitting. Makesure that the lighting adequatelyprovides for people’s needs.

The team’s top tips include . . .

>>

>>

>> Reflect on the social space inthe office. Creating a relaxationarea brings more integrationbetween staff and allows themto re-energise themselves.Encourage people to use thisspace for informal meetings.

>>

>>

Employee relations were also noted to have an impact onemployee wellbeing. Organisations with higher levels oftrust between colleagues had better workforce wellbeing

Document: p090_cambridgebusiness1214.pdf;Page: 1;Format:(210.00 x 297.00 mm)