How to Implement Wellness into the Workplace

In the modern workplace, staff wellbeing is more of a necessity than a perk of the job. A healthy, supported team directly correlates with improved productivity, better quality work, and a more positive company culture. As a result, incorporating wellness into your office fit out should be a top priority for any forward-thinking business.

Following the global COVID-19 pandemic, the push for workplace wellness has extended beyond physical health to provide supportive measures for mental wellbeing too. According to research by Vitality (Britain’s Healthiest Workplace, 2019), a staggering 56.7% of surveyed employees have experienced at least one work-related mental health stressor. Add to that the psychological pressures from the pandemic, and it’s clear that designing for employee wellness is something that can no longer be ignored.

If you hear the term ‘wellness’ and immediately think of yoga classes, fruit bowls or step challenges, you’re not wrong. That’s only part of the picture. Whilst these elements are important to improve staff wellbeing, what you might not realise is that your fit out interiors can also have a positive and long-term impact on the welfare of your team. A carefully considered office renovation, aligned with employee wellbeing, creates an environment that actively reduces stress, improves morale and boosts overall productivity.

An office space that prioritises staff wellness is a powerful way to show your team that they’re valued.

Look After Your Staff, Look After Your Business

When your employees feel supported – both mentally and physically – they’re more likely to produce better quality work. That’s why your office interiors should be planned with your people in mind.

With smart space planning, strategic breakout areas, high quality, ergonomic office furniture and the right equipment, you can create a workspace that fully supports your team members. At Contract Interior Systems, we help businesses achieve exactly that: functional, beautiful offices that improve staff experience and, in turn, your bottom line.

Of course, we understand that it can be difficult to support your staff through your office design when a large portion of them are working remotely. With that said, here are a few practical methods you can implement to encourage employee wellbeing both in and out of the office:

Facilitate Mental Health Check-Ins – Make room for regular video calls (not just for business meetings, but also for casual team chats and one-on-one check-ins. Open communication is key to tackling isolation and stress.
Encourage Movement and Breaks – Promote daily walks, screen breaks and provide home-working equipment like ergonomic chairs or laptop stands to improve remote work comfort.
Design for Flexibility – The modern office should offer adaptable spaces that serve different needs, whether for quiet focus, informal collaboration or simply just a calm place to recharge.

Focusing on wellbeing in the workplace should be the forefront of most business plans, yes. But, did you know it also makes financial sense as well? Studies such as The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that ill health in the workplace cost Great Britain approximately £10.6 billion between 2018 and 2019. By creating an office that’s designed to improve staff health, you can ultimately reduce the number of sick days taken and expenses used to cover them.

How Office Design Can Support Wellness

At Contract Interior Systems, we create inspiring work environments to suit your business and improve the welfare of your team. Our commercial fit out contractors work closely with you to ensure we implement interior solutions into your office for a space that’s flexible and adaptable, helping to boost wellbeing in the workplace.

Here are some of the top ways we can help boost wellness through commercial interior design:

Maximise Natural and Artificial Light – Office lighting has a huge impact on the mood and mental health of staff. In fact, you might find that your mood is often heavily influenced by weather and, typically, humans are happier in brighter climates. Spaces with access to daylight help regulate circadian rhythms, reduce eyestrain and improve overall wellbeing. We recommend installing light reflective materials such as suspended ceiling tiles and office flooring. Glass partitioning is also a great way to let natural light in.
Create Flexible Breakout Rooms – Space planning is one method we use to support staff diversity. It plots different areas for multiple work tasks, depending on their needs. For example, it could include quiet rooms for focus and reflection. Communal areas for collaboration and social interaction. Informal meeting spaces to encourage creative thinking and reduce pressure from formal settings.
Invest in Ergonomic Furniture – Practical and comfortable office furniture can reduce musculoskeletal problems that are frequently found in the workplace, such as neck pain and back strain. Simple solutions such as chairs with lumbar support, adjustable features and armrests, as well as height-adjustable desks, are perfect for flexibility and improved posture.
Incorporate Biophilic Design – Create an inspiring and engaging space by introducing biophilic elements into the workplace (it’s been shown to reduce stress and improve concentration). Adding indoor office plants can improve air quality and increase oxygen levels. This can also be achieved by incorporating natural materials and organic textures into your furniture and flooring. We also love displaying artwork that reflects brand identity and adds visual stimulation within the office.

Design a Healthier, Happier Workplace

Whether you’re planning a full office refurbishment or just want to make a few targeted changes, we’re here to help you implement wellness into your workplace design. Our in-house experts understand how interior choices can impact employee wellbeing and are ready to help you transform your space.

Contact our friendly team to explore the best wellness-focused solutions for your office fit out.