How new work environments can reduce stress

Companies striving for better productivity and employee well-being may already have the potential within their own walls: a better office environment.

A study conducted by JLL and neuroinformatics firm EMOTIV in Tokyo showed that a new workspace can improve employee experience, well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction.

Participants in the study, who moved from an old to a new office, were assessed through cognitive tests and surveys to measure the impact of the move. The results showed a dip in the number of employees reporting high levels of stress.

“The physical environment plays a crucial role in reducing stress, which can lead to improved cognitive engagement, or the level of focus and immersion when performing a task,” says Ben Hamley, Data-driven Design & Innovation Director, JLL. “The dynamics of how people work together, and collaborate, can also significantly influence cognitive engagement and performance.”

To accommodate diverse creative work styles, which encompass individual habits, thought processes, and workplace preferences, offices should offer a variety of workspaces. “For instance, some individuals thrive in bustling environments and prefer to multi-task, while others need to be ‘in the zone,’ or in a quieter space to do creative, productive work,” Hamley says.

The new study provides more insights into the optimal office environment for employees.

Employees feel more productive when satisfied with their workspace

Seventy-one percent of employees surveyed felt that the new office enabled them to be more productive, a substantial improvement from just 17% in the previous space. Even nine months after relocating, employees continued to experience enhanced productivity, a subsequent survey showed.

Satisfaction with the office environment also soared to 94% from 56%. Notably, employees identified spaces that enable collaboration and focused individual work as the most-improved attributes in the new office.

Increased face-to-face interaction was a primary factor driving the productivity surge, leading to greater interest and engagement in their tasks.

Consistent with a previous neuroscience study in Singapore, employees showed greater focus and immersion in tasks when working around peers, as compared to remotely.

These findings underscore the importance of office design in enabling both effective in-person interactions and focused work, Hamley notes. “Organizations should analyze employees’ creative work styles to create tailored environments that cater to their specific needs, based on how they get their best work done.”

Employee stress levels fell sharply in the new office, with 47% reporting low stress, compared to the moderate levels reported by most previously.

Psychological stress has a significant impact on the level of task immersion and attentiveness, according to Hamley. “Higher levels of stress correlate with lower levels of engagement,” says Hamley. “A better environment not only reduces stress levels, but also boosts focus and engagement in tasks.”

While adopting a data-informed design approach can mitigate workplace stress through intelligent design of work practices and places, it's important to recognize that external stressors in employees' personal lives can also affect their overall well-being.

“Further research is required to better understand the factors that contribute to stress and anxiety, and their impact on the workplace,” says Hamley.

Employees’ perception of the new office as “a good place to work” improved following targeted workspace changes, climbing to 88% from 71%.

Among the most notable improvements were enhancements in air quality, natural light, ergonomics, and noise levels, as well as the addition of indoor greenery. Employees felt that these changes positively impacted their well-being and productivity.

“These factors are becoming increasingly essential in modern workplaces,” says Hamley. “Such features consistently rank highly in terms of importance, indicating their significant impact on employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction.”

Even small, incremental changes to the office environment can make a big difference, according to Hamley.

“Improvements to workspaces don’t always call for a major overhaul,” he says. “Instead, organizations should focus on encouraging more intentional use of space and providing a framework for employees to choose appropriate workspaces based on their specific needs and tasks.”

Explore more of JLL's latest insights on World Economic Forum themes at our dedicated Davos page.