Service
Sector
Future Makers™ Series:
Environment & Workplace (Wellbeing / Carbon reduction / Water stations etc)
Throughout TOAST’s futuremaking series, we’ve introduced the importance of developing a robust yet realistic CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Strategy tailored to your business, and we’ve established the connection between staff wellbeing and sustainability. Here, we are talking about the impact of the workplace environment on team performance and why it matters for running a sustainable business.
It is becoming increasingly understood that the design of a workplace environment significantly impacts the wellbeing and performance of staff members; a well-designed workspace can create a positive atmosphere that enhances employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall mental and physical health. And, in a post-COVID era with the added challenges of engaging a partially remote workforce, such workplace environmental design is more critical than ever before.
Natural light, ergonomic furniture, access to nutritious food and hydration, fresh air and well-ventilated spaces are elements that can boost employee comfort and reduce stress. These design choices contribute to a healthier environment, reducing the risk of health issues and improving overall wellbeing.
Comfortable and aesthetically pleasing surroundings can also elevate mood, leading to higher motivation levels and a more positive daily work experience.
According to Forbes magazine, a quality workspace design leads to a less stressful and more productive atmosphere: “It’s essential that employers take the physical work environment of their employees into consideration. Employees need to feel comfortable and calm in their physical work settings to produce their best work.”
And their numbers don’t lie:
An overwhelming majority (87%) of workers would like their current employer to offer healthier workspace benefits, with options ranging from wellness rooms, company fitness benefits, sit-stand desks, healthy lunch options and ergonomic seating.
Interestingly, employees of younger companies are less likely (34%) to be turned down when asking for in-office benefits like sit-stand desks, than employees at established companies (42%).
93% of workers in the tech industry said they would stay longer at a company offering healthier workspace benefits - here again seeing desires ranging from wellness rooms, company fitness benefits, sit-stands, healthy lunch options and ergonomic seating.
Leveraging over 15 years of high-end commercial property experience, the team at TOAST has experienced this trend being embraced by architects and developers in workplace innovation and design.
“Increasingly, we’re seeing the planning and layout of a workspace play a vital role in promoting collaboration and communication among employees; open-plan designs, communal areas, and easily accessible meeting spaces foster teamwork and idea-sharing. On the other hand, quiet zones and private spaces cater to individual tasks that require focus and concentration, striking a balance between social interaction and personal productivity.”
- Nick Sammut, TOAST Creative/Managing Director
And, moreover, good workplace design can be an opportunity to activate and amplify your brand. A thoughtfully designed workplace can reflect and reinforce a company\s culture and values. Introducing compost bins, promoting walking meetings, or installing water refill stations such as Refilled can weave your brand values into the everyday running of your business. When the design aligns with the organisation's identity, it can strengthen an employee’s engagement and sense of belonging.
Artwork, colour schemes, and branding elements integrated into the design can subconsciously communicate the company's mission, thereby fostering a deeper connection between employees and their work.
Occupying the intersection of brand, culture, sustainability and commercial property, there are so many aspects to workplace environment design that can shape the overall wellbeing and performance of staff members. But with an established workplace it can be hard to know where to begin.
Here we introduce TOAST’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) capability, a framework which can examine your workplace to identify the most impactful opportunities to optimise staff culture, performance and wellbeing through workplace design.
“A well-considered design can enhance physical comfort, promote collaboration, and strengthen a sense of identity within the organisation. By optimising your workspace to prioritise both functionality and aesthetics, your organisation can create a positive impact on your employee's lives, leading to increased job satisfaction and, ultimately, improved performance.”
- Emile Rastoll, TOAST Head of Strategy
Regardless of your organisation’s size or sector, when you partner with TOAST to establish your CSR Strategy, our team will audit what your business is already doing to support your people, identify opportunities for adjustment, and establish an implementation plan to support your organisation’s wellbeing journey. And, as Future Makers™ who understand the importance of leveraging brand from the core, we will help you to engage your customers and team alike by creating the tools and platforms that aptly communicate your strengths and initiatives.
“Ultimately, a company culture that prioritises wellbeing reflects a commitment to the holistic growth and happiness of its employees. In turn, this drives higher levels of job satisfaction, loyalty, and a positive reputation in the industry. By nurturing a culture of wellbeing, organisations lay the groundwork for sustainable success and contribute to the overall betterment of people’s lives.” - Emile Rastoll, TOAST Head of Strategy
If you are a business with an appetite for sustainable change, but you’re not sure where to begin, TOAST’s CSR frameworking is the perfect platform to support your team to make the short and long-term adjustments to contribute to a better future.
Our team at TOAST is driven by passion and we want to continue working in this changemaking space. That’s why socially responsible and progressive campaign development is a critical pathway of our vision to help brands and companies progress into the future with positive growth, and positive impact. Stay tuned on our socials for more announcements in the Future Making space.
TOAST seeks to support brands, organisations, and initiatives working to better the future of our world. Please reach out to our team with any questions and project queries by emailing our Head of Strategy, Emile Rastoll, or Nicholas Sammut, our Managing / Creative Director, at hello@toastcreative.com.au.
For more information about our brand and business solutions, please get in touch with our team.
At TOAST, we create strategic campaigns and creative brand identities which engage multiple stakeholders, uniting them around a common goal - to create a better future for Australia.
We are Brand Makers.
We are Place Makers.
We are Future Makers.
At TOAST, we are Makers.
