Environmental benefits

Microsoft is being dramatically impacted by the forces of our federal government.

Almost all agree, legal arguments aside, that “the era of big government” is, in fact, not dead. It is very much alive. And it has a direct impact on your business.

The fear and mistrust of government regulation is a long-standing principle of many business people, and has been for many generations. There’s a story circulating about a Michigan businessman who owned a growing and profitable manufacturing company. While on the verge achieving business stardom, he sold the company.

Why? Because he no longer wanted to be subjected to what he perceived as excessive and onerous government control of his business.

Could it be, though, that there are government-proposed regulations that could actually increase productivity and profitability? The current state and federal considerations of employee workplace environments may be an area in which the government’s latest foray into your business could add profits to your bottom line.

Like most business initiatives, however, there may be some discomfort before the pleasure.

Current considerations

The federal government, along with several state governments (Ohio included), is considering OSHA requirements in all areas of the workplace environment. The potential series of legislation could have an impact on such items as keyboard positioning, computer monitor specifications, task seating and accessibility and traffic flow patterns within businesses.

Potential Impact

Those who own, manage or facilitate any type of business know the dollars and cents impact of this kind of talk. For the small business, it could represent thousands of dollars in adjustments and renovations. For big business, it could mean even more.

There may be the potential for many positive effects of this type of action. Imagine the impact to your bottom line if your workers’ compensation claims are reduced just 10 percent. What about 25 percent?

What would be the impact to your business if you were able to retain key employees instead of consistently recruiting and training new ones? How does thoughtful consideration of keyboard positioning and workspace environment influence such things as workers’ comp claims and turnover rates?

What to think about

  • If a company with 1,000 employees, earning an average of $50,000 each, can reduce turnover 2 percent per year, the company’s savings are $1 million per year.

  • The cost to recruit and retain a new hire averages 65 to 120 percent of an employee’s annual salary.

  • The number of days lost due to stress increased 36 percent from 1995 to1998.

  • The percentage of workers reporting they work a 50-hour week doubled between 1995 and 1998.

Back in the workplace

The top three factors impacting employment decisions are compensation, benefits and the physical workplace. A whopping 73 percent of employees cite a need for improvement in their physical workplaces. A visually appealing workplace is one of the most important characteristics for job seekers. And privacy and comfortable furniture are specific design factors that impact job satisfaction.

There are very credible data that prove that productivity and profitability increase when workspace environments are created for the benefit of the employee. If you create space that allows for creativity, communication and privacy, while minimizing potential exposure to physical (fingers included) damage, you’ll enhance the lives of your employees and they’ll reward you for it.

Thus, potential government regulation merges with sound business judgment. So how do you take advantage of this?

First, don’t wait for government regulation. Start now by learning as much as you can about how workspace environments impact your business. Once you understand the benefits of improved workspace environments, find out how much it will cost to implement.

You are now armed with decision-making information. If you go forward, budget, plan and be diligent in your pursuit of a creative and profitable second home — your business.

Michael Hardin ([email protected])is sales manager of S. Rose Office Interiors (www.srose.com). He can be reached at (216) 781-8200.


Checklist

If you’re convinced that you need to think about your workplace environment as aligned to your employees, here are a few tips:

  • Create a workspace strategy — make facilities expenditures an investment.

  • Make your workspace relate to your business objectives.

  • Design your workspace to be the physical vision of what you want your company to be — it’s not that far off.

  • Evaluate the stress level within your company and determine if your current workspace helps or hurts that level and adjust accordingly. (For example, create stress recovery sites in your company if needed.)

  • Talk to your employees about their workplace environments — empower them to find ways to be more productive, creative and better communicators.

  • Talk to an expert. Seek out someone who has worked with multiple companies in creating and designing modern workspace environments.