The working environment is hugely important – both to your staff and the continuation of your business. Failure to provide the right working environment can lead to you not meeting your legal obligations. And if your workplace is so uncomfortable, or duties so difficult, then productivity can suffer, and rates of employee retention can precipitously drop.
We all want the best for our staff and business, so what can you do to provide the appropriate working conditions for your staff? Here’s everything you need to know.
Temperature
You need to ensure that your employees and workplace is within a reasonable temperature because if it’s not then it can cause damage either to the equipment within the business and more importantly become dangerous for those working within the company.
According to the government, the minimum temperature should be 16 degrees indoors or 13 if work is physical in its nature. There is no maximum limit, but excessive heat can sap productivity and morale.
There are plenty of ways to ensure that the temperature is appropriate, including installing air conditioning units, opening windows for ventilation, and running heaters in colder months.
Lighting
Lighting also needs to be considered. If you don’t adequately light your premises, employees can be put in harm’s way by not being able to spot hazards. Additionally, they may end up suffering from eye strain if they are using a computer. To prevent this from happening, install plenty of lights and make sure employees know how to turn them on.
Equipment and tools
Make sure your employees have the right equipment and tools. Doing so will reduce the chance of injuries occurring and have the obvious benefit of allowing your team to work efficiently and effectively. Without the right tools work quality can be impacted, which can have a severe effect on your business’ long-term balance sheet. Instead, invest in your future.
Facilities
Having the right facilities in place is another thing that is incredibly important no matter what industry the employees work in, whether it’s in a warehouse or office environment. Make sure that you’re following the law as set out by the Health and Safety Executive and are providing toilets, washbasins, drinking water, a place to eat meals, and more.
What do you think is the most important thing for businesses to do to improve working conditions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.