Workplace practices help reduce cost, improve productivity

Improving workplace design and practices along with the usage of suitable technology has helped companies in reducing cost by up to 10 per cent and increase employee productivity by 15-20 per cent, a recent survey said.
According to a study titled 'Evolution in Workplace Trends' conducted by Vestian Global Workplace Services and Nielsen, the productivity of employees has improved as well as the costs have reduced after they introduced certain changes in working policy, office space optimisation, activity-based working as well as in office lightings.
The study is focused on the growth of commercial or rental spaces and workplace trends in Mumbai and Pune.

"The shift in workplace trends has also led to changes in office space utilisation. Key trends which are setting out the change in the workplace are office space usage, workplace practices and impact of technology," Vestian Global Workplace Services CEO-APAC Shrinivas Rao said.
According to the study, 50 per cent of the surveyed companies have said that by improvising workplace design and practices and use of suitable technology, they have been able to cut cost by 5-10 per cent and increase in employee productivity by 15-20 per cent.
Nearly 50 per cent of the surveyed companies believed that there is improvement in employee productivity and cost effectiveness by adopting 'open workspace'.

On an average, 5-7 per cent increase in productivity and reduction in cost was observed.

"The Indian workplace is evolving faster than ever and there is a new pattern of work that is emerging and with that, there are new technologies and behaviour entering our organisations," he said.
According to the study, emphasis on recreation facility is increasing in most segments.
"Particularly in the service industry -IT/ITeS provide recreational facilities that include gym, indoor games, library and break-out spaces. Companies believe that providing flexibility to employees increases productivity by 15-20 per cent," Rao said.
The study further indicates that biometrics and other automation products are projected to be used extensively in the building security system to save expenses and improve productivity.

"The companies are not only creating a change in how they work, they are also investing in the future. They are driving sustainability efforts and new inventions in terms of renewable energy and energy efficient systems as a means of giving back to the environment and building a better eco-system," he added.