It should come as no surprise that job satisfaction is critical when it comes to employee retention. As the latest generation of employees enters the workforce, it’s the responsibility of employers to create work environments to meet their needs and expectations in order to boost morale.
Research into the modern workplace indicates that not only is there a problem with employee engagement and satisfaction, but the lack thereof can be costly. A recent study from Gallup showed:
- Only 32 percent of workers feel engaged at their jobs
- Actively disengaged employees cost the U.S. up to $605 billion each year in lost production
- Happy workers are 12 percent more productive than the average worker and unhappy workers are 10 percent less productive
- Companies with happy employees outperform their competition by 20 percent, earn 1.2 – 1.7 percent more than their peer firms and are 2.1 percent above industry benchmarks
So, how can workplace setup impact job satisfaction? Employees who feel heard, included and appreciated in a process tend to feel satisfied with their work, and as a result, are generally more willing to collaborate with colleagues.
As a general rule, if employees are more than 20 feet away, they’re going to be more likely to send an email rather than speak in-person, which will delay communication and production. However, employees within 7-10 feet of each other are more likely to interact face-to-face, which can build relationships and boost morale.
With the latest technological advancements in the workplace, employers can understand how their employees operate within a space. New IoT platforms, such as Tapdn™, use sensors to harness and analyze real-time data to provide a clear indication of where employees spend their time and who they spend it with. With objective and unbiased results, businesses can make confident decisions when it’s time to adjust an existing workplace setup. With an optimal work environment, employees will be positioned where they’re the most satisfied, and ultimately, productive.
