By Rachel Permuth-Levine, PhD, MSPH & Kevin Rettle
of Sodexo, A Quality of Life Company

There are many ways to cultivate innovation in the workplace – but generally there is not a strong argument that these strategies should focus on human capital solutions. However, employee job satisfaction and engagement is a key business imperative that has long reaching effects both to the employee and the business. There is a growing body of research and practice that tells us we cannot ignore environmental influences in shaping employee behavior in the workplace AND the enablers needed to foster their ability to innovate (Stegmeier, 2008).

Recruiting and retaining top talent means that you need to have more attractive work spaces that have the creature comforts of home. Additionally, as baby boomers prepare to exit the workforce, the younger generations have expectations about the workplace conforming more to their needs for flexibility and knowledge transfer from the older generations (Ball and Gotsill, 2010). Employees have been shown to spend more time on the employer campus when they have comfortable lounging spaces, small amenities like kitchenettes and onsite concierge services, and fitness facilities. Lounges with business centers, tvs, and reading areas allow employees to decompress and relax in a dedicated space.

Creating spaces that allow for impromptu meetings or gatherings. The notion of water cooler conversations and innovation is based on fact (Steelcase, 2011)! Design and build employee break rooms, coffee stations, and vending in locations where members from different departments can intersect and meet. When communal break rooms are strategically located, the organization increased interaction and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams.

Include plants whenever possible in communal and individual spaces. Jackie Reed, Marketing Offer Manager for Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions in the United Kingdom tells us that ”We know that different types of horticulture can have a calming effect on employees. The research has shown that plants in the built environment have the potential to decrease stress and improve employee productivity.”

Communicate your strategy around space design and what you wish to achieve! Don’t be afraid to tell your employees what you are trying to do to increase innovation and collaboration. Develop messaging to encourage collaboration, to take strategic breaks, to network with colleagues from other departments, and generally improve employee well being. Signage for your break rooms can include the title of the room itself plus inspirational messaging to reward employees who bring new ideas to management and their teams.

Each of these strategies that facilities mangers, real estate executives, architects, and change management professionals can employ to create a happier and more productive workforce focused on recruitment, creating open, collaborative environments, bringing the outside in, and communication. Each of these strategies correlates to a positive workplace experience, employee engagement and eventually your organizations’ bottom line.

REFERENCES:

Ball, K., and Gotsill, G. (2010). Surviving the Baby Boomer Exodus: Capturing Knowledge for Gen X and Y Employees.

Steelcase. (2011). “Is your workplace ready?” www.360.steelcase.com

Stegmeier, D. (2008) Innovations in Office Design: The Critical Influence Approach to Effective Work Environments. By Wiley Press.

Rachel Permuth-Levine, PhD, is the senior director of Human Capital Solutions, toLive, and Kevin Rettle is the director of marketing, Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions