What does a biophilic office look like?

computer desk with a plant biophilic office design

Tim Hanwell at Officeworks looks at the how the use of nature in a biophilic office can help to reduce stress and maximise productivity in Part 2 of an article recently published in Connect Magazine from Cardinus Risk Management. Biophilic design is more than a ‘nice to have’. The use of nature to harness employees full potential is becoming an … Read More

Tips for maximising space in a small office

small office design layout

Your office layout is the most basic consideration. Can you make small changes to your current layout? Are you working in a cellular environment but find most of your activities are collaborative? Do you need to think about making your space more open plan? Does your current furniture support your way of working? Are you making use of each piece … Read More

5 steps to help employees beat the winter blues

office winter blues

Thirty-four per cent of office workers believe that winter affects their productivity, according to the results of a survey by workplace consultant Peldon Rose. The survey found that the workplace contributes to the ‘depressed mood’ with most employees (56 per cent) saying “they feel unappreciated or only sometimes appreciated by their company” and 31 per cent believe their office environment … Read More

Technology and office environment affect productivity

unproductive employee

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of UK employees rate themselves as ‘unproductive’ at work, equating to seven million of the nation’s total workforce. Perceived productivity slips even further amongst Generation Z employees. When asked to rate their productivity out of ten, with ten being the highest possible number, 28 percent of Generation Z employees gave themselves an ‘unproductive’ score … Read More

The rise of the sit stand desk

Sit stand desk

Renowned for being the healthier alternative to traditional sedentary desks we take a look at the rise of the sit stand desk, some of the benefits of standing while working, and also share some tips on how to best use your sit stand desk. Sitting is the new smoking – blamed for increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer, … Read More

How to get back to work after a summer holiday

back to work after a holiday

The summer holiday season is coming to an end and for many of us that September ‘back to school’ feeling has arrived. Saying goodbye to the sun and freedom not to look at your emails can feel desperately hard so here are our top tips for beating the back to work blues in the face of the British Autumn. 1. … Read More

How office lighting affects productivity

light and office productivity

There are certain factors that everyone knows affect workplace productivity but did you know that employees sitting closer to windows are more likely to go to work? Being happy at work is not just about the people, the job and the money. The data gathered by Leesman, the world’s largest independent assessor of workplace effectiveness, indicates that the physical work … Read More

Proud to host Hospice of St Francis Corporate Partner event

hopsice of st francis event berkhamsted

We have been supporters of the Hospice of St Francis in in our hometown of Berkhamsted for nearly two years and on a sunny Tuesday evening in May we were delighted to host a networking evening at Berkhamsted Tennis Club. Officeworks co-founders Craig Phillipson and Tim Hanwell also gave a short talk on the top 5 ways to improve your … Read More

Boosting productivity with biophilic office design

biophilic office design

At Officeworks we firmly believe that employers should be embracing a design approach that puts the wellbeing of office workers at its core. Here we explain the benefits of a biophilic design in the workplace and why a growing number of employers are bringing nature into the workplace. Biophilia is a concept first popularised by Edward O. Wilson in 1984, … Read More

How to sit-stand correctly

standing desk position

As the UK sees a rise in demand for Sit-stand workstations, KI and Officeworks have created a flyer, and a video guide to help users best adjust their new sit-stand furniture. Following in the footsteps of the Scandinavian countries, research shows that sit-stand workstations and meeting tables can improve productivity and wellbeing, but without proper guidance these potential benefits could … Read More

Top 10 tips for a healthy workstation

healthy workstation tips

Here is our guide to some simple changes you can make to survive sitting in an office all day. Move your chair close to the desk. Adjust the seat height to ensure your thighs are slightly above your knee with your feet flat on the floor or a footrest. Recline and relax into your chair to make the most of … Read More

Free office layout and design assessment

Free workplace layout and design assessment

While office space matters more than you think, your business’s most important asset is your people. To help them feel valued and give you and your customers 100%, the importance of the working environment shouldn’t be underestimated. To avoid the pitfalls of poor planning Officeworks offers its clients a free Expert Walkthrough – a no obligation office layout and design … Read More

5 ways the workplace will change in the next 5 years

workplace changes in the next 5 years

Work trends have evolved dramatically over the past few decades with a recent report by PricewaterhouseCooper estimating that in the decade between 1990-2000, the majority of the workforce was employed in roles whose titles only existed after 1990. However, workplaces have failed to adapt to the changing face of the workforce, particularly within the world of SMEs where real estate … Read More

Boosting productivity through workplace design

better productivity through office design

Taking the time to understand how a business environment affects an employees’ performance is crucial for an effective workplace design. And it was just this topic that was discussed and debated at a recent Officeworks business breakfast held at the Shard. Co-hosted with Leesman who provide the largest independent measure of workplace effectiveness, insights were shared into what are the … Read More

Company recycling scheme means new homes for old office furniture

office furniture recycling scheme

A recycling initiative launched by Hertfordshire office design company Officeworks is set to reduce the amount of furniture going to landfill. The ‘new homes for old furniture’ scheme is the brainchild of Tim Hanwell, a local osteopath and partner in the Berkhamsted-based firm. Often when companies purchase new office furniture, old desks, chairs and carpets are disposed of. This can … Read More

Taking the strain out of health and safety at work

health and safety in office design

Recent research published by The Work Foundation highlights that 12.5 per cent of all UK sick days are attributable to back pain. More than ever, employers are under pressure to take better care of their employees; but perils such as bad seating and poorly-positioned computer screens are putting people at risk of discomfort or even workplace-related injuries. So new Berkhamsted-based … Read More