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Working Conditions Motivation

We recently moved from dreary and cramped offices to new offices that are much nicer in every respect, including furniture, parking, lighting, and layout. People were not very productive in our old offices, and we expected an improvement once we moved. However, there has been no change. What do you suggest?



Improving the workplace does not automatically improve the work. There are plenty of highly productive employees in marginal work environments, and there are plenty of marginally productive employees in ideal work environments.

Elements of the workplace, such as furniture, parking, and lighting are indeed linked to motivation, but not in a conventional way. When the work environment is harsh, dreary, or inhospitable, it can certainly prevent employees from being motivated. For example, if the lighting is so poor that the employees can hardly see their work, it will be extremely difficult for them to be motivated. However, the fact that the employees can see their work does not mean they will be motivated. This same reasoning applies to all of the other workplace factors you noted.

If you want more of an impact on motivation, now is the time to focus on providing the employees with opportunities for achievement, recognition, responsibility, self-development, and advancement. Jointly establishing goals with them and tying rewards to performance can also help.

In addition, if you want some good ideas regarding ways to build productivity in the new offices, it's a good idea to meet with your employees and ask them.



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