3 Major Reasons Your Office Needs a Breakout Area
A breakout area is a space which staff can use to take a short break, give their eyes a rest from screen-time, have an informal chat with a colleague or take a personal call. While a breakout area is still within the office environment, generally speaking furniture here is softer, more casual and allows for more use of colour. Breakout areas do not have to be large in size, but should be imaginative, aesthetically pleasing and somewhere staff will want to use.
1. It promotes employee well-being
Breakout areas can improve employee wellbeing in many ways and in turn boost staff productivity. To comply with health and safety laws, employees must take regular breaks from their computers. A breakout area can provide a space where employees can relax while still remaining focused unlike say, a canteen. Moving from a desk to the breakout area a number of times a day also means staff are more active at work which promotes good circulation, improves moods and increases energy levels. An area with bright colours, appropriate lighting and funky furniture also promotes creativity.
2. Boost interaction & collaboration
While at a desk a team member can be focused on the task in hand. A breakout area allows staff to take much-needed time away from their desk, but also interact with each other. Smaller teams gathering in a breakout area can promote better levels of engagement, collaboration and satisfaction. When a company offers innovative solutions to employees both current and potential, this can foster an innovative culture which only improves the workplace environment. A breakout area removes the seriousness of a meeting room setting and better allows employees to express themselves in many instances.
3. Offers additional workspace
While a breakout area can be used to take a break to read a paper, make an important call or have an informal conversation, it can also double up as additional workspace. For example, an employee from another office who may be on a visit to your premises may use it to work remotely. A visitor from a supplier or even a client, may use the breakout area to get some light tasks done when they visit your workplace. This can foster greater relations between your companies. We have even seen our completed breakout areas being used as a space to hold informal interviews. A potential employee then gets a great view of your company culture and what it would be like to work within your organisation!
Whatever your breakout area requirement, we are sure to be able to offer a solution that fits your size, budget and company ethos.
