An effective staff room will provide employees with a place where they can perform a multitude of activities - and the room layout and furnishings need to provide for all of those activities to be carried out. From 'chilling out and de-stressing, through casual and social collaboration, to a quiet personal work-space - these activities are important elements to having a rested, positve, and productive team of staff
In this article, we’re going to look at the main purposes of a staff room and the key design, layout and furniture options you have available - to make the space functional for all staff.
The purpose of a staff room
Whilst, the number of staff utilising the staff room space at any one time will be a dtermining factor in what goes into your 'staff room' - there are a number of other functions to consider that will significantly enhance the staff room experience:
- A separate breakout space for individuals or groups away from the main workspace
- A warm, welcoming, comfortable space that is inviting and promotes a positive response
- A place for all staff to relax and rejuvenate
- A place to enjoy morning and afternoon tea, and lunch
- A setting for casual and social collaboration between staff
- A place for an individual to enjoy peace and quiet away from the normal workspace
- A practical and comfortable back up area for team meetings
The 'must haves' in your staff room:
To ensure that your staff room creates the environment (and layout) to facilitate all of the functions listed above there are some important considerations....
Easy to use kitchen facilities - it goes without saying that your staff room needs to provide a clean, welcoming environment with refrigeration, tea and coffee making facilities - and a microwave and/or an oven for warming/cooking food. If there is no designated person to wash dishes, then a dishwasher is a practical addition
Casual or social collaboration – a growing trend has been the use of Bar Leaners and Stools - or small Cafe Tables and Cafe Chairs - to facilitate smaller grups of staff meeting and eating, providing more space for individuals to work privately, or for small teams to collaborate and brainstorm away from their normal workspaces.
Outdoor furniture - if your workplace is fortunate enough to have an outdoor space for staff to gather, settings of outdoor furniture can also add the benefit of staff getting some fresh air and sunlight while enjoying their downtime. If outdoor furniture is going to be considered, It is important to research the options available to ensure that the furniture is comfortable, durable and weather resistant.
A place to refuel and refresh – Inexpensive soft seating will provide a comfortable relaxing place, where staff can 'chill out' and relax during down-time, or enjoy a a quiet chat with work colleagues. Single or multi-seat Ottomans have also become popular casual seating options, and a novel way to add colour and break up the staff room space.
Power and data – is a handy and popular facility for private access to personal emails or joining colleagues for some collaborative work. Creativity and productivity doesn't stop when lunch hours start, so staff may need power and data to continue work away from their desks - or to prepare or practice a presentation/demonstration.
Communication centre - the staff room is a great place to promote company news or upcoming events, so a staffroom Notice Boards with circulars etc. is a great way to communicate informally with staff
Measures to control excess noise – staff rooms can often become noisy as staff congregate to socialise and unwind. Strategically placed acoustic panels are very effective at absorbing background noise - and they also offer a colourful addition to the staff room. The panels can be in the form of room dividers or wall panels
Roster a person to keep the place tidy - nothing will create a bigger negative for staff, than an untidy, unclean and cluttered staff room. If you don't have a designated person to manage this aspect of your staff room, create a roster for staff to rotate on a daily basis to share this responsibility.
The benefits of a comfortable, tidy, relaxing and inviting staff room will become obvious. Staff will feel de-stressed, re-charged and motivated following their breaks throughout the day - and their time in the staff room. Their effectiveness and productivity on the job improve and this will be your pay-back in the investment you have made.
For information on affordable, durable and practical staff room products, visit Office Products Online today - and view the wide range of options available. Inquire about an obligation free design (layout) drawing - to give you and your staff a first hand view of how your 'new' staffroom will look!
