5 Ideas for Office Improvement | What are the Points to Increase Employee Satisfaction?

Many people are considering improving the office environment, but do not know the specific method and are looking for a good idea. The office environment affects employee satisfaction, so it is important to keep track of the points and work on improvements.

In this article, we will explain the necessity of office improvement, specific ideas, and points when working on office improvement. Please refer to it if you are a manager who wants to improve work efficiency or a person in charge of general affairs.

1. It is necessary to improve the working environment and office to improve work efficiency.

The office is a space where employees spend most of their working hours, which has a great impact on their motivation and concentration. If you want to improve work efficiency and productivity, it is essential to review and improve the working environment .

For example, in a company that requires flexible creativity and planning ability, it is important to create a working environment that makes it easy to come up with ideas. It is also desirable to have a workspace where individual employees can concentrate on their work.

In addition to the appropriate size and interior, efficient conductor design is also important. A well-designed office will not only reduce physical travel distance, but will also reduce stressors and increase productivity.

2. 5 office improvement ideas that lead to improved employee satisfaction

Office improvement can be achieved by simple tasks such as changing the desk layout and installing partitions. Large-scale work such as floor plan change work or office relocation is not always necessary.

Here are five ideas for office improvement that will improve employee satisfaction and improve work efficiency.

2-1. Change desk layout

By changing the desk layout to suit the office, it is possible to improve the conductors and work efficiency . There are various types of desk layouts, and typical examples are "opposed type", "alternative type", and "rear type". The layout and suitable offices for each type of desk layout are as follows.

Desk layout type	Placement	Suitable office
Opposing type	Place the desks facing each other	Office that works for each team
Same-direction type	Arrangement where everyone arranges desks in the same direction	Office where visitors are expected
Back type	Arrangement where employees turn their backs	Offices that require concentration on individual work

In addition to the above, as an arrangement that has been attracting attention recently, there is a "free address type" that allows you to use a free place every day. The free address type is useful for offices that want to keep the company fresh because the seats of employees change every day and information exchange and idea creation within the company are promoted.

2-2. Securing a rest space

When improving the office environment, it is important to have a break space as well as a space for work. Especially in companies where desk work is the main focus, employees can take appropriate breaks to improve work efficiency.

When creating a break space, it is important to decorate the interior with a relaxing atmosphere and to install comfortable chairs and sofas . By providing a space for work and sharpness, you can secure a resting space that is easy to relax.

Also, if you prepare sweets and drinks in the break space, you can create an environment that is easier to refresh.

2-3. Improvement of office lighting

To improve the office environment, it is also important to select lighting with appropriate brightness and color for each space .

Generally, in a room with dark lighting, it is difficult to see your hands, and fatigue and stress tend to accumulate. Increase the number of lights or switch to brighter lights to ensure that the office work is easy. On the other hand, in environments that encourage relaxation, such as break spaces, calm lighting is preferred.

There are three main colors of lighting: daylight color, daylight white, and light bulb color. The features of each and the space in which they can be used are summarized below.

Daylight color	The brightest white light of the three types, suitable for lighting workspaces where you want to concentrate on your work.
Neutral white	The light color is close to natural light, so it is possible to create an open atmosphere. Use neutral white lighting in your meeting space to keep your conversation open.
the lamp colour	It is a warm color that gives a sense of security, so it is suitable as lighting for spaces where you want to get a relaxing effect, such as a break space.

2-4. Securing space by installing partitions

By installing partitions to divide the space in the office, you can secure new space at low cost. The space created by the partition can be used as a break space, meeting space, online business negotiation space, etc.

There are multiple types of partitions depending on their width and height, and some products can be used as whiteboards. Partitions with a whiteboard feature are useful for streamlining meetings .

2-5. Installation of furniture useful for storage

By installing furniture that is useful for storage, it is possible to promote the tidying up of the office and improve work efficiency .

For example, cluttering your desk with documents and materials you use at work can be inefficient because it reduces your work space. It takes extra time to search for the necessary documents and materials from the state where they are randomly stacked.

You can search for documents quickly and efficiently by putting the documents in a file and arranging them upright on a shelf or box. You can also reduce the amount of time you have to walk around to retrieve documents and materials by preparing a dedicated fixture for each employee and installing it near the desk.

If the amount of documents to be managed increases and the capacity of furniture is insufficient, add furniture and organize unnecessary documents.

3. Three points to improve the office environment

It is very important to improve the office environment in order to improve work efficiency. However, blindly changing the layout or buying more furniture may not produce the desired results.

Here are three points to keep in mind when improving your office environment.

3-1. Emphasis on ease of communication

When changing the desk layout or setting up a meeting space, make sure that employees communicate actively with each other .

For members who share information frequently, working at a face-to-face desk allows for simple communication verbally and is more efficient. It is also useful to set up a meeting space in a location that is easily accessible from the workspace to activate communication.

However, when you are working intensively, it can be difficult to communicate verbally. If you want to communicate without interrupting your work, we also recommend introducing a chat tool that allows you to easily communicate .

3-2. Refer to the opinions of employees

When improving the office environment, the opinions of employees who actually work in the field are helpful. Hear the current dissatisfaction with the office environment directly from employees or take a questionnaire to clarify specific improvements.

Improve employee satisfaction by improving the office environment to meet the needs of employees. The point is to solve problems while referring to the opinions of employees, such as changing conductors and layouts and expanding equipment.

Also, after actually changing the office environment, let's check if the workability has improved . If productivity is lower than before the change, it needs to be reviewed. A better environment can be created by working on office improvement while referring to the situation at the site and the opinions of employees.

3-3. Refer to the offices of other companies

If you find a problem in your office environment but can't think of a specific solution, it's also helpful to refer to another company's office . Companies that are focused on improving the office environment may hold tour events.

By visiting the offices of other companies with similar numbers of employees and industries, it is possible to find elements that can be introduced into your company . Let's invite not only managers and general affairs personnel but also employees to participate in the tour and use it as a reference for successful office improvement in-house.

summary

Improving the office environment is an indispensable item for improving work efficiency.

By changing the desk layout and lighting depending on the work content, and setting up a break space, creating an environment where employees can work comfortably will lead to improved productivity. In addition to installing fixtures to improve work efficiency, partitions may be installed to make effective use of space.

When changing the office environment, it is important not to forget the viewpoint of employee satisfaction and to refer to the opinions of the company and the offices of other companies.

Here's what to do when you're sleepy at work! Causes and countermeasures for feeling drowsy

"Even though I'm at work, I just get sleepy." One

of the problems I have with my work is that some people seem to have trouble with sleepiness at work. Drowsiness and lack of concentration can affect your work and even your performance appraisal.

In this article, we will introduce what to do when you get sleepy at work and what causes you to feel drowsy.

On top of that, it also touches on improvement methods that you can work on in advance so that you do not get sleepy during work, so if you want to get the job done quickly, check it out.

1. What to do if you get drowsy at work

If you want to improve your drowsiness with such an important job, "I just get sleepy at an important meeting or seminar" , try some remedies that can be expected to have a quick-acting drowsiness wake-up effect.

Introducing a drowsiness wake-up method that you can immediately practice as a measure for when you are sleepy at work.

1-1. Hold your breath for a moment

When you are sleepy at work, you can expect a drowsiness wake-up effect by holding your breath temporarily. Exhale, hold your breath as much as possible, and resume breathing if you feel suffocating.

When you hold your breath, your brain temporarily becomes active in search of oxygen, which is especially useful in situations where you are about to finish your work or need to concentrate for a short time. Since you don't need any tools, you can easily try it as a way to wake up drowsiness at work.

1-2. Take a deep breath

If you're sleeping properly but you're sleepy at work and yawning, you may not have enough oxygen. If you inhale to the maximum with your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then take a deep breath that exhales air from your mouth, you can take in the surrounding air firmly.

If you are suffering from yawning drowsiness at work, it is also a good idea to take a deep breath and try to wake up.

1-3. Chewing gum

Chewing gum is one of the royal road measures when you are sleepy at work. With xylitol gum, it is possible to stimulate the brain with a refreshing feeling. In addition, even with ordinary gum, you can avoid drowsiness by the action of "chewing" and distract yourself so that you do not fall asleep.

Chewing gum can also be expected to activate the brain and promote blood circulation, so it is also recommended when you want to concentrate on your work.

1-4. Ingest caffeine

If you don't sleep well and get sleepy at work, we recommend taking caffeine. Caffeine can be expected not only to awaken drowsiness but also to temporarily suppress the feeling of fatigue.

Caffeine is also found in various drinks such as coffee, green tea, black tea and cola. Be careful not to overdose caffeine without realizing it.

If you overdose caffeine, you may experience symptoms such as palpitation, tremors, and dizziness, and you may not be able to concentrate on your work. If you take caffeine on a daily basis, you will become addicted, so be careful if you say that you are taking caffeine on a tablet or other device on a regular basis.

1-5. Use drowsiness measures goods

It is also important to utilize drowsiness prevention goods such as cooling sheets, sprays, and menthol eye drops. By cooling your body with a cooling sheet or spray, you can get rid of drowsiness at work.

When using drowsiness-preventing goods that cool the body, use the "wrist, ankle, and nape" and the three "neck" as an image to cool. In particular, it is said that cooling the nape of the neck increases the effectiveness of drowsiness.

2. It is also an ant to stimulate the acupuncture points of drowsiness during work

When you want to improve drowsiness at work, it is also important to stimulate the drowsiness acupuncture points. Introducing typical drowsiness acupuncture points.

2-1. Rokyu

Labor Palace, which can also be expected to relieve tension, is located in the center of the palm where the middle finger and ring finger hit when the hand is rolled up. It is said that the effect of awakening drowsiness is achieved by pinching the labor palace between the thumb and index finger of the other hand and pressing the acupuncture points with the belly of the thumb for about 5 seconds.

2-2. Seimei

There is an acupoint called Kiyoaki in the depression at the tip of the inner corner of the eye. Located at the base of the nose, it is a key point that tends to be suppressed when you feel that your eyes are tired. The image is like pushing from the inner corner of the eye toward the nose using the index fingers of both hands, and it is said that gentle massage has the effect of improving eye strain.

2-3. Gokoku

There is Aiya on the index finger side, slightly before the intersection of the thumb and the base of the index finger. Hold it between your other thumb and index finger, and press the acupoint with the pad of your thumb. By stimulating the acupuncture points of Aiya, it is said to have the effect of improving tension and awakening drowsiness caused by eye strain.

2-4. Chusho

The middle finger is a key point that is famous for its drowsiness wake-up effect, and is located on the side of the thumb at the hairline of the nail on the middle finger (on the left side of the hairline of the middle finger nail for the right hand, and on the right side of the hairline of the middle finger nail for the left hand). By stimulating the acupuncture points so strongly that you feel a little pain, you can expect the effect of blowing away drowsiness during work.

2-5. Fuuchi

The wind pond on the back of the neck is in the hollow of the hairline. Kazeike is the place where you turn up about 30 degrees from the front and get caught when you crawl your fingers from the neck to the head. By powerfully stimulating the wind pond with the thumbs of both hands, you can expect the effect of improving drowsiness.

2-6. Shinmon

There is a Shinmon on the wrist, but there is also a Shinmon on the ear acupuncture points. It is possible to stimulate the ear acupuncture points by grasping the dent in the upper 1/3 of the ear with your thumb and index finger and pulling it up, sideways, and down for about 5 seconds each.

However, if you pull it too hard, you will feel pain, so be careful to keep it to a moderate degree of irritation.

3. What causes drowsiness during work in the first place? Measures to prevent drowsiness

There are three main causes of drowsiness during work.

• Simple lack of sleep
• Insufficient nutrition in the body
• External problem

A simple lack of sleep may be improved by improving the quality of sleep. On the other hand, the cause of drowsiness at work even though you are sleeping well may be "insufficient physical nutrition" or "external problems".

Let's check what causes drowsiness.

3-1. Ventilate meeting rooms and workplaces

It seems that the carbon dioxide that fills the room can cause drowsiness. If you 're feeling drowsy while you 're in a meeting, it's possible that lack of oxygen in the meeting room is the cause of your drowsiness.

When actually examining the concentration, it seems that there are cases where the carbon dioxide value is high only in the conference room. Oxygen deficiency can also cause drowsiness during meetings, so it is important to introduce a system that ventilates the meeting room and workplace.

3-2. Ingest iron

A lack of iron in your body can cause you to feel sick and always feel drowsy . Iron deficiency anemia, which is iron deficient, reduces the number of hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Therefore, even if you try to take in oxygen by deep breathing, it will not spread throughout the body, and the effect of drowsiness will be diminished. For women who are prone to lose iron and those who do not usually take much iron, it is also a good idea to take a day's worth of iron drinks.

However, iron intake does not immediately improve drowsiness at work. Review your diet to see if you have enough iron to consume each day.

3-3. Control blood sugar level

Drowsiness at work may be due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. If you experience sudden drowsiness after eating, you may be in a state of "hyperglycemia" with too much sugar intake.

Sugar is not only sweet, but also carbohydrates such as "rice" and "potato", which are rich in starch. Therefore, it is possible to control the blood sugar level by reducing the intake of carbohydrates, which are the staple food.

On the contrary, it can cause drowsiness even when the blood sugar level is low, such as "I skip breakfast and limit sugar" .

In the scene where you really don't have time to eat breakfast, you can control your blood sugar level by ingesting glucose, which is absorbed quickly. If you can control your blood sugar level well, you can expect the effect of improving drowsiness at work.

3-4. Sit in the correct posture

The inability of the body to take oxygen efficiently can cause drowsiness. Therefore, one point is to try sitting on a chair in the correct posture. In a bad posture like a stoop, the amount of air that can be taken into the body unconsciously decreases.

In other words , sitting in the correct posture helps prevent drowsiness at work. You can easily maintain the correct posture by adjusting the height of the desk or chair to suit you, or by using a chair that supports the ergonomic design, so please refer to it if you like.

4. The most effective measure against drowsiness is to improve the quality of sleep

The most effective way to improve sleepiness at work is to improve sleep quality. You may want to drink plain hot water before going to bed, relax in a lukewarm bath, or use relaxing music or aroma candles.

However, it's also true that it doesn't make sense if you don't have enough sleep.
Looking at the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2017 , about 70% of Japanese people answered that they sleep less than 7 hours a day.

4-1. Ideal sleep time is about 7 hours

A large study of 1.1 million people conducted by the University of California and the American Cancer Society found that people with the healthiest and lowest mortality rates averaged about 7 hours of sleep .

People with short sleepers who sleep less than 10 hours or those who sleep more than 10 hours seem to have a higher mortality rate. In particular, short sleepers who sleep about 3 hours a day have a 1.3 times higher mortality rate than those who sleep 7 hours a day.

Therefore , it can be said that the ideal sleep time is about 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes .

Life is not just about work. Let's review the sleep time of the day and adjust the rhythm of life not only to prevent drowsiness at work but also to lead a healthy life throughout the life.

4-2. Is it sick to fall asleep at work?

If you say, "I'm not sleepy at work, I fall asleep even if I try to fight back," it may be a disease called narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is said to affect 1 in 600 Japanese people and would be difficult to improve without medical help .

Narcolepsy is characterized by irresistible drowsiness. If you inevitably fall asleep at work, we recommend that you consult an expert.

5. Why do you sleep lightly? Why can't I fall asleep even though I have a job?

Difficulty falling asleep, sudden awakening in the middle, early morning awakening that wakes up even if there is time. Even if you have enough sleep, many people are suffering from poor sleep quality.

Poor sleep quality can keep you from getting tired from work, and on top of that, you may feel sleepy and stressed during work. Here are some possible causes for poor sleep quality.

5-1. Stress

Insomnia, such as being unable to sleep due to work stress, is one of the finest sleep disorders. Some people fall into a negative cycle, with more stress due to late arrivals and mistakes due to lack of adequate sleep.

Leaving insomnia from stress can lead to mental illness such as autonomic imbalance and depression. We recommend that you talk about the causes of sleepiness during work at a clinic.

5-2. Disturbance of life rhythm

Disturbances in life rhythm can be cited as a cause of sleepiness during work. It is important to adjust the timing on a regular basis, as you will not be able to fall asleep due to the rhythm of falling asleep.

It is not desirable to put your tiredness to sleep on holidays, so let's work with the image of adjusting your daily rhythm.

5-3. Smartphones and PCs

If you're using your smartphone or computer until you go to bed, try to stop using it two hours before you go to bed. It is said that the blue light emitted from smartphones and personal computers causes the body clock to go wrong.

If blue light causes drowsiness during work, it is also a good idea to use tools such as blue light cut glasses.

5-4. Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is the unconscious stoppage of breathing while sleeping. You won't get a good night's sleep, so no matter how much you sleep, you won't feel like you've slept too much.

Not only can you feel drowsy at work, but you may also experience symptoms such as poor concentration and general malaise. Ask your family or partner to check it once, as it is a symptom that is difficult to notice on your own.

5-5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is when the valve that prevents gastric juice reflux weakens for some reason. Regurgitation of gastric fluid causes discomfort in the esophagus and heartburn, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Basically, it is not recommended to lie down within 3 hours of eating rice.

Also, for those who sleep in a sideways position, stomach acid tends to regurgitate when sleeping with the right half of the body down .

If you have difficulty falling asleep due to gastroesophageal reflux disease or reflux esophagitis, be aware that you should not lie down immediately after eating, eat something that is easy to digest, and put your left side down when you go to bed.

However, if the symptoms are left untreated, it is said that reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer are likely to occur, so it is recommended that you consult a hospital as soon as possible.

summary

There are many reasons why you may get sleepy at work. If you want to improve your drowsiness at work right away, try a drowsiness awakening method that can be expected to have immediate effects.

However, it is recommended that you review your living environment once to eliminate the cause of sleepiness in the first place. In some cases, a serious illness may be hidden.

If you get a good night's sleep and get sleepy at work, or if your physical fatigue persists, consult a hospital once.

What is a wardrobe? From the difference from a closet to the benefits of installing it

In winter, when many people come to work wearing coats, or when changing to uniforms or work clothes, the clothes that are put on and taken off from the office may be scattered. A cluttered office looks bad and can easily reduce work efficiency, so you need space to store and manage your clothes.

If you want to create space for your employees' clothes in your company, consider installing a wardrobe. The wardrobe is a storage facility for clothes and can be installed in the office.

Therefore, this time, for those who are considering introducing a wardrobe, we will explain the outline of the wardrobe, advantages and disadvantages, points to choose, etc.

1. What is a wardrobe?

A wardrobe is a storage furniture / equipment that stores clothes . Wardrobes are exclusively for clothing, and some have shelves for small items such as suits and shirts, hangers and belts. A feature of the wardrobe is that you can create a space to store your clothes together .

The wardrobe is a general term for storage equipment dedicated to clothing, so there is no definite equipment shape. The wardrobe also includes clothes chests, clothes cabinets, pipe hangers and pole hangers.

1-1. Difference between wardrobe and closet

Many people think of a closet when it comes to storing clothes. However, there is a clear difference between a wardrobe and a closet.

A closet is a storage space provided in a house or building. Although clothes are often stored in the closet, it is also used to store small items such as futons, bags and accessories, daily necessities and miscellaneous goods. The big difference is that the wardrobe is a storage for clothes only, as opposed to a closet that can store various items.

Also, the closet is installed in the room, so you cannot move to another room. In other words, the closet is a storage space for "making a comfortable living space."

On the other hand, the wardrobe is a storage facility that can be retrofitted to the room to collect and store easily cluttered clothes in one place. Therefore, installing a wardrobe will allow you to "properly organize and manage the clothes you need."

2. Types of wardrobes that can be installed in the office

There are many different types of wardrobes, as they refer to all storage facilities dedicated to clothing. When a company implements a wardrobe, it is important to choose the right product for the office.

Here, we will take up two types of wardrobes that can be installed in the office and explain their characteristics and how to use them.

2-1. Hanger rack type

The hanger rack type is a type that can be easily stored by hanging clothes on a hanger . There are no partitions such as doors, so you can quickly hang your clothes off and take them off.

However, the hanger rack type is a storage method that does not distinguish between users, so it is not suitable for use by a large number of people. It is also important to note that it is not suitable for storing valuables such as wallets and keys.

The hanger rack type comes in various shapes. Typical examples are the type that has casters on the bottom and can be moved, and the compact pole type that has a hanger hook. All of them do not take up a lot of installation space, so they have the advantage of being easy to install in an office with only one room .

2-2. Locker type

The locker type is a type that can store clothes in a locker with a door . A hanger pipe is installed inside the locker, so you can hang clothes and store small items other than clothes. Another feature is that users can be identified by attaching a nameplate to the door.

Please note that the locker type has a square box shape and the door needs to be opened and closed, so it takes up a lot of installation space. Locker-type wardrobes are suitable for offices where a large number of people are working and locker spaces and changing rooms can be provided.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of the wardrobe

There are advantages and disadvantages to introducing a wardrobe in the office. Compare the pros and cons of your wardrobe to determine if your office needs a wardrobe.

The benefits of introducing a wardrobe are:

● Employees can store coats and other jackets neatly

Since the wardrobe has a place where you can hang a hanger, you can hang a coat or other jacket on the hanger and store it neatly. Another advantage is that you can eliminate the habit of putting your jacket on your desk or chair and make your office look good.

● If you choose a personal locker type, it will lead to ensuring privacy.

Personal locker-type wardrobes have doors, and some products have a key. By locking the door and storing it, the clothes you take off will not be exposed to the public, which will help ensure your privacy .

● Can be installed without construction

The wardrobe does not need to be constructed at the time of installation. You can select products according to the size and number of users and install them in the office.

The disadvantages of introducing a wardrobe are:

● Installation space is required

Installation space is required to install the wardrobe . Make sure you have enough width in front of your wardrobe to allow people to pass in front of your wardrobe, even when you take out your clothes.

● There is a limit to the jacket that can be stored

Although your jacket will wrinkle if you don't hang it on a hanger, there is a limit to the number of jackets you can store in your wardrobe. If you have a large number of employees, you should also prepare a number of wardrobes according to the number of employees.

4. Points when choosing a wardrobe

Before you actually buy a wardrobe, let's first understand the points of choosing a wardrobe. Since the users of the wardrobe installed in the office are employees, it is important that they are easy to use.

From here, I will explain the points when choosing a wardrobe to be installed in the office.

4-1. Choose the right size

Consider the number of clothes you can store in your wardrobe and choose the right size. The storage capacity required for storing work clothes, shoes, hats, etc. is larger than when storing only one work clothes. When storing outerwear such as coats, the depth and height of the wardrobe are also required.

However, if you make the wardrobe too large, it will take up a lot of installation space. It's important to choose a wardrobe that isn't too big and can hold as much as you need .

4-2. If space is limited, choose with casters

If your office space is limited and you don't have a lot of space to install your wardrobe, we recommend the movable type with casters. Even a large wardrobe is relatively easy to move if it is equipped with casters, so you can change the installation location if necessary .

For example, if an employee has casters, it is possible to set up a wardrobe at the entrance and exit when employees enter and leave the office, and usually leave it at the edge of the office. If you're worried that your wardrobe won't get in the way in your office, you might want to choose a product with casters.

4-3. Choose with a mirror in a uniformed office

Locker-type wardrobes with mirrors are recommended for offices where employees change into uniforms. If there is a mirror inside the locker, you can check your appearance such as buttons and ties after changing into your uniform. There is no need to move to another place to check your appearance, and if there are any deficiencies, you can fix them immediately .

Choose a locker-type wardrobe with a mirror so you don't have to put a large wardrobe in your office. If the space where you put your mirror is free, you can make effective use of that space.

summary

A wardrobe is a general term for storage facilities dedicated to clothing. Unlike the closet, which is a facility installed in the room, the wardrobe can be installed anywhere and its main function is to store clothes.

The advantage of installing a wardrobe is that it can be installed without any construction work and can store clothes neatly. If it is a personal locker type product, you can also secure privacy with a door or key.

When choosing a wardrobe to be installed in an office, it is important to consider the space in which it will be installed and the usability of employees. Let's choose a wardrobe that is useful for organizing and storing clothes by referring to the points introduced this time.