How an Inclusive Work Environment Can Impact Culture

A cornerstone of success for any business is providing employees the support they need to reach their full potential. An often overlooked but essential element of this objective is the office furniture you provide your people. Few business owners are interior design experts, making it difficult to know when certain considerations are being overlooked when buying office furniture.

Thankfully, at G|M we specialize in understanding the ins and outs of business interiors, from the decorations that go on the walls to the furniture that fills the space. Our customers rely on our experienced team to help them achieve their goals, and one of these is ensuring their workspace is inclusive when it comes to the furniture. Let's take a look at how this can impact the culture of a company.

Carefully developing a company culture is often a pivotal part of being able to achieve lofty business goals. A crucial part of this process is creating office spaces that make everyone on the team feel welcome and valued. When it comes to the interior design of a company, many different factors must be considered to ensure everyone who walks through the doors will be able to work unencumbered.

Employees come in varying shapes, sizes, and physical capabilities. That means some will need furniture that can assist them in serving your clients more than others. Providing plenty of seating options that can accommodate a wide range of statures and body types is the first place to start.

An easy way to make sure everyone on the team is getting the support they need from their office chairs is to choose a company that's known for ergonomics, such as Herman Miller. This company produces furniture that's centered around the idea of helping everyone reach their full potential at work, regardless of their physical limitations.

A strong company culture starts with the working environment. Today, smart office design always strives to be as inclusive as possible. Part of this means coming up with solutions for everyone when working on the interior design of the company spaces. Whether someone is tall or short, big or small, they need to be comfortable in their office chair no matter what.

Furniture should make the services employees provide clients as ergonomic as possible. This helps assist those with a smaller range of movement than others, lending to a more inclusive workplace overall.

When some employees feel as though others are being given more support from furniture than others, it can lead to a less engaged work force. By supplying furniture that helps everyone in the company perform their jobs comfortably regardless of physical condition, companies can develop a stronger, more supportive culture within.

When it comes to office furniture, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to be more inclusive. To help our clients design the most inclusive business interiors to strengthen their company cultures, we've compiled this quick guide about the key points to consider. Keeping these points at the forefront of design choices when it comes to your business interior can help everyone feel welcome and truly part of a team.

First, think about the types of furniture that everyone can use. For example, adjustable desks and chairs are great for people of all body types and sizes. You'll also want to make sure there's enough space for everyone to move around freely no matter who they are. It's easy to think everyone can move as easily as we do within a space, but that's not always the case. Smart and inclusive interior design starts with thinking about the full range of body scales.

Some employees need assistance to get around. Whether this is a wheelchair, power scooter, or walker, accommodations must be made when it comes to office chairs and desks. Desks that allow a wheelchair to fit under is one example. Another is office chairs that allow those using mobility devices to easily transition into their seating for the workday.

The concept of inclusion also means including everyone in the decision-making process. When you're choosing new furniture for the office, make sure to get input from all employees, not just a select few. This will help ensure that everyone feels comfortable with the new furniture and that it meets their needs. It can be easy to miss certain elements of furniture design that adversely impacts some people and not others. So getting as much feedback as possible in the furniture selection process is key.

Furniture that has sharp edges or corners can create a painful gauntlet for your people to walk through all day. Some folks aren't as steady on their feet, which makes this type of furniture a hazard. Instead, source office furniture for your space that has soft, rounded edges.

Finally, don't forget about the little things. Things like coat hooks and storage bins can make a big difference for employees who have to bring things like purses or jackets to work. Sitting more personal effects on the floor is not only inconvenient, it's less secure. No one wants to sit their purse in a place that allows coworkers to easily peer inside or worse, risk theft. Why tempt fate? Provide your people with ample storage space for these items instead.

When you're working to create a stronger culture in your business, reach out to the business interiors experts at G|M. We'll stop at nothing to ensure your office furniture configuration meets the needs of not just most but every single employee on your team.

Our experts are well-versed at designing business interiors that can accommodate every potential type of employee. Contact G|M Business Interiors to schedule a showroom visit today. Check out our showrooms in Irvine, Riverside, or San Diego and learn more about creating an inclusive and elevated workplace environment.