Global companies have long being looking after their employees wellbeing in a number of innovative ways. Google has installed climbing walls, mini golf courses and even sleeping pods. There are on-site fitness centres, an array of healthy food options, financial planning advice, substantial parental leave entitlements, medical support and complementary therapies. Employees can also access personal development and learning opportunities tailored to individuals’ interests. Most businesses can’t afford such investment but there are some smaller changes that can make a huge amount of difference.
Jo Allison, an analyst at behavioural insights company Canvas8 says “Employers are beginning to understand that a healthy body makes for a healthy mind, and creates a better community and improves output from their teams. If the boss cares, then others give themselves permission to care too.”
According to government statistics, 26.8 million days were lost due to ill health in the UK in 2017 at a cost to £9.7 billion to businesses. So wellbeing in the office is something to be taken very seriously but how can smaller businesses possibly compete with big companies? Across the country there are an increasing number of innovative ways in which businesses are supporting their staffs’ wellbeing at very little cost. For example, employee incentives firms, such as BHSF, Perkbox and Reward Gateway can offer staff benefits such legal advice and round the clock access to a GP at a low cost to employers. Some firms are implementing a system which bans email after 7pm or offers a weeks paid leave for an employee to pursue an interest. John Dean, managing director at consultants Punter Southall Health & Protection says. “Wellbeing is absolutely something small businesses can both do, and afford,” he says. Whether it’s ensuring staff have proper lunch-breaks, to introducing fitness challenges, or offering flexible working.” he argues there are simple steps SMEs can introduce to significantly impact mental wellbeing in particular – now the leading cause of absenteeism from the workplace.
Some simple steps to consider.
Furniture – ensure it’s comfortable and fit for purpose. This includes break out furniture as well as desk furniture.
Temperature – a flexible climate control system means that employees can adjust the temperature to what suits them.
Outside areas – if you have any outside space, make it an inviting place for employees to use. Some fresh air in the working day can do wonders.
Fitness – not many businesses can afford their own gym but encourage sporting activities such as cycle schemes and gym membership.
Surroundings – plants and artwork has been shown to increase productivity. Chose decoration carefully – colours can have different effects of the feel of an office.
For more information about wellbeing in the workplace, click here.
NHS Dingley – Phase Two Complete
/in Latest News /by Hannah WoodThe Ozone team are pleased to announce that Phase Two of the NHS Dingley Specialist Children’s Centre is complete. Children and their parents who rely on the fantastic services can finally enjoy the state of the art facilities we have installed. The previous centre was a Victorian building with narrow corridors and a maze of rooms that were difficult for families and staff to negotiate. The new building, located on the White Knights Campus at Reading University was previously a laboratory for the University. There was a monumental amount of strip out work to do before the refurbishment could begin. The initial stage of the works we carried out over the summer of 2019 with all the existing laboratories, offices and walls stripped out to create large open spaces for a gym, a reception and waiting room and for a number of consultants rooms. Every aspect of the build has been carefully considered to ensure that centre will be user friendly to all the children’s different needs.
There will be a grand opening in March, with a celebration for all the families who will be using the centre in the future. We are very proud to be part of such a worthwhile project and we can’t wait to see the doors open to the public. In the meantime, we are busy working on Phase Three of the project which is a total strip out and refurbishment of the first floor of the same building.
Ozone Wins Multi-Million Pound Fit-Out.
/in Latest News /by Hannah WoodOzone are proud to announce we have secured a multi-million pound fit-out for the NHS. This is the third and final phase of the project. We are already working on the second phase. The full strip-out and re-fit will provide a cutting edge children’s rehabilitation centre in Reading. Works will continue until March 2020.
Ozone Wins Large NHS Fit-Out
/in Latest News /by Hannah WoodAfter a lengthy tender period, Ozone are proud to announce they have been awarded the a large 6 month project. Based in Reading, the building involved will require a full strip-out. Once this has been completed, we will complete a fit-out that will provide a new rehabilitation centre for children. Work commences in early May.
Office Design for 2019
/in Uncategorized /by Hannah WoodThe modern workspace is almost unrecognisable to what it was just a decade ago. Just as trends change in home decor and within the clothing industry, so does office design. The days of maximum head count are over, today we are looking at the ‘workplace experience’. We are not just becoming more conscious of sustainability, it is now the norm to incorporate sustainable furniture which will connect areas creating a flow rather than acting as stand alone items.
The Importance Wellbeing In The Workplace
/in Latest News /by Hannah WoodGlobal companies have long being looking after their employees wellbeing in a number of innovative ways. Google has installed climbing walls, mini golf courses and even sleeping pods. There are on-site fitness centres, an array of healthy food options, financial planning advice, substantial parental leave entitlements, medical support and complementary therapies. Employees can also access personal development and learning opportunities tailored to individuals’ interests. Most businesses can’t afford such investment but there are some smaller changes that can make a huge amount of difference.
Jo Allison, an analyst at behavioural insights company Canvas8 says “Employers are beginning to understand that a healthy body makes for a healthy mind, and creates a better community and improves output from their teams. If the boss cares, then others give themselves permission to care too.”
According to government statistics, 26.8 million days were lost due to ill health in the UK in 2017 at a cost to £9.7 billion to businesses. So wellbeing in the office is something to be taken very seriously but how can smaller businesses possibly compete with big companies? Across the country there are an increasing number of innovative ways in which businesses are supporting their staffs’ wellbeing at very little cost. For example, employee incentives firms, such as BHSF, Perkbox and Reward Gateway can offer staff benefits such legal advice and round the clock access to a GP at a low cost to employers. Some firms are implementing a system which bans email after 7pm or offers a weeks paid leave for an employee to pursue an interest. John Dean, managing director at consultants Punter Southall Health & Protection says. “Wellbeing is absolutely something small businesses can both do, and afford,” he says. Whether it’s ensuring staff have proper lunch-breaks, to introducing fitness challenges, or offering flexible working.” he argues there are simple steps SMEs can introduce to significantly impact mental wellbeing in particular – now the leading cause of absenteeism from the workplace.
Some simple steps to consider.
Furniture – ensure it’s comfortable and fit for purpose. This includes break out furniture as well as desk furniture.
Temperature – a flexible climate control system means that employees can adjust the temperature to what suits them.
Outside areas – if you have any outside space, make it an inviting place for employees to use. Some fresh air in the working day can do wonders.
Fitness – not many businesses can afford their own gym but encourage sporting activities such as cycle schemes and gym membership.
Surroundings – plants and artwork has been shown to increase productivity. Chose decoration carefully – colours can have different effects of the feel of an office.
For more information about wellbeing in the workplace, click here.