Many offices face the same issue - employee productivity begins to fade once the afternoon coffee wears off. Eight-hour work days can be both mentally and physically draining for employees and often lead to a lack of focus on their work and decreased efficiency.

The key to overcoming this is learning how to work smarter - not harder. By implementing some new programs and a few office changes, you can help your employees combat midday weariness and boost their productivity. Here's how…

Improve workplace health 

Employees' health and wellness can play a large role in their ability to concentrate on work. Implementing good occupational safety and health (OSH) practices can help to make businesses successful and sustainable, as well as reducing workplace injuries. Help your workers stay healthy by instituting walking meetings, flexible working hours, or providing nutritious snacks. You can even invest in standing desks or supportive pillows for extra support when sitting for long periods.

Encourage teamwork

People are better equipped to think creatively when they work with others. Encourage your employees to work together by instituting more brainstorming sessions or building more conference rooms. You should also consider planning some teambuilding exercises or events outside of the office to help your workers mingle and become more comfortable with each other. This will help foster a collaborative office environment and boost employee morale.

Modernize the office

Uninspiring, bland and closed off workspaces are old-fashioned because they crush productivity. Try to open up your office by ditching cubicle walls for open desks and soft seating. This will encourage more communication between workers and improve individual concentration. Adding a few plants and windows around the space will also help reduce stress levels by creating a calming and natural office environment.

Celebrate good work

What better way to encourage hard work than to recognize it when it happens? Celebrate when your employees put in extra effort and produce high-quality projects. Recognition, whether it's as small as saying “good job”, or as public as a company-wide announcement, can make your workers feel valued and appreciated. It can also boost motivation levels and keep the entire company informed of good work happening across departments.

To build the most successful workplace, you need employees who are invested in their work and will remain productive throughout the day. By updating a few practices around the office, you can vastly improve the overall efficiency of your workers and ultimately, your organisation's success.

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