Factors Affecting Work Efficiency in the Office

Name: Partner Create
Price range: $$$

Most of us think of an office as premises where the employer should create optimal conditions for productive work. But in practice, the real conditions often don’t meet sanitary standards — and therefore reduce work efficiency and don’t support productive work.

In this guide we look at 6 important factors that most strongly affect office productivity. Having learned them, take a look at your own space: is everything all right with office comfort in your company?

6 factors affecting work efficiency

Noise. Research by Cornell University showed that even with a low noise level in open-plan premises, office workers feel stress and have reduced motivation. When planning an open space, think in advance about where to place loud equipment (printers, for example) and employees who work in conditions of elevated noise. Partitions with sound insulation help lower the “loudness” — more in the article Glass Office Partitions: Types & Benefits.
Conversations and distractions. Unplanned conversations can take up to 50% of work time: phone calls, sudden visits from clients or suppliers, colleagues’ chatter. On top of that, after non-work communication many people need time to refocus, so such breaks seriously affect the team’s productivity.
Temperature. The microclimate noticeably affects work: raising the temperature from 20 to 25 degrees reduces the number of staff errors by about 40%. But overheating also harms productivity, so a well-designed climate system matters — on choosing one, read the article Ventilation or Air Conditioning: What to Choose.
Internet and social media. Messengers, social networks, watching videos and personal correspondence during the day reduce the quality and speed of work, leading to direct time losses. To avoid this, it’s worth organising proper control over the efficient use of work time.
Furniture ergonomics. The design and quality of furniture significantly affect comfort: non-adjustable, uncomfortable chairs and small desks cause back pain and the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. According to numerous studies, using adjustable ergonomic chairs raises average productivity by 18%. On choosing furniture, see the article Requirements for Office Furniture.
Features of the premises. According to research published by the Wall Street Journal, the space even affects the style of thinking: low ceilings promote analytical thinking, while high ones promote abstract and creative thinking. Colour and light also change thinking: for example, red walls can dull the imagination but stimulate tasks requiring precision and concentration. More is in the article Office Colours and Their Impact on Productivity.

How to improve office comfort with Partner Create

These six factors show that productivity depends not only on the employees but on the space itself — acoustics, microclimate, ergonomics, lighting, colour and layout. They are best improved comprehensively, as early as the design stage, when all the elements are easy to coordinate with each other.

Partner Create will design and deliver an office that meets sanitary standards and works for productivity, under general contracting. Examples of completed spaces are in the office spaces portfolio.

Work-efficiency factors in brief

Even low-level noise reduces motivation; loud equipment is planned separately.
Unplanned conversations can take up to 50% of work time.
An optimal temperature (about 20-25°C) reduces errors; overheating harms.
Personal internet use leads to direct time losses.
Ergonomic adjustable chairs raise productivity by about 18%.
The premises affect thinking: ceiling height, colour and light change the work style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors most affect work efficiency in an office?

There are six key factors: the noise level, unplanned conversations and distractions, the temperature, personal internet use, furniture ergonomics and the features of the premises (ceiling height, colour, light). All of them directly affect the team’s productivity.

How does temperature affect productivity?

The microclimate noticeably affects work: raising the temperature from 20 to 25 degrees reduces the number of staff errors by about 40%. However, overheating the space also reduces productivity, so a balanced climate system matters.

Does ergonomic furniture really raise productivity?

Yes. Non-adjustable, uncomfortable chairs and small desks cause back pain and the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies show that using adjustable ergonomic chairs raises average productivity by about 18%.

How do the premises affect the work style?

According to Wall Street Journal research, low ceilings promote analytical thinking, while high ones promote abstract and creative thinking. Colour and light also change thinking: for example, red walls stimulate precision and concentration but can dull creativity.

Boost your office efficiency with Partner Create

A comfortable space means higher productivity and less stress for the team. Partner Create will take acoustics, microclimate, ergonomics, light and colour into account and deliver an office that works for results.

Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.

We also recommend Office Colours and Their Impact on Productivity and Requirements for Office Furniture — they will help you work more deeply on the productivity of the space.