What could your office do to improve your working day?

[Biancadelriosback]

I've recently been given an office building to run. I have some relevant experience however it's always been as part of a brand with brand standards. Now I actually have freedom to do things. So I'm looking for some inspiration.
The building will be occupied by different companies and will be premium. So I'm looking at things like free networking events, high-end tea and coffee facilities, free fresh fruit etc so yeah! Just after some ideas :)

Condoms in the stationery cupboard

Bike "shed" which is NOT also the smokers' shelter - frequent issue/hate!
Showers, lockers and a drying room.

Well equipped "sick room" - place to lie down in privacy, for dignified first aid treatment,

Standing desks (my company only provide risers for a small area so just the computer screen, keyboard etc. I'd need the whole desk surface because I'm always referring to other docs.

The basics - clean, IT that works, follow-me printing, reliable networks, toilets that work, don't smell and there's enough of them. Enough desks so hotdesking isn't needed, and anyone in regularly can have a known desk. Enough meeting areas.

Anything beyond that is a bonus - I'd like enough fridge space, microwave, and a quiet room for a lie-down, first aid, prayers or just a break.

Free fresh fruit would probably appeal to maybe 1/10 people.

This just isn't true. I introduced free fruit once a week in my last job and everyone loved it. I got 40 pieces and we were a company of 50 people and it was all used every time.

I took early retirement last year but up until then, had been involved in the running of my building for about 10 years.

Even though we were an IT firm, one of the major gripes from people was the state of our poor networks.

Second only to the IT was the car parking situation.

Clean and fresh smelling toilets
Secure bike shed (companies encouraging people to cycle to work)
Showers (for those cycling in)
Effective recycling
In an open plan office, make sure there are places for private/sensitive/personal phone calls. (Having to go out to your car was not an ideal situation).

A set up that doesn't show work emails , texts and calls between a set time - say 6pm to 8am. When it reaches 8am the messages and calls show. This gives your staff real downtime with family and results in a healthier workforce.

It's not coffee and tea etc it's a mindfulness work ethos that creates the happiest and healthiest work place.

Not to have to share an office with another team who are utter cocksnots? Seriously, open plan merged offices are the worst!! I abolsutely lost it today with the delightful team we share our office with, it’s a shared space, make fucking compromises. Sorry.

I’d be happy with a computer that wanted to work and a kitchen that wasn’t harbouring a new plague!

A wet weather ticket so that you only have to be in the office on rainy days. On sunny days you can have the day off.

In the UK your office would be the winner! (this year was an exception). 😊

Oh where I work we have 'umbrella bags' that people can use when they come in with a wet umbrella.

Oh where I work we have 'umbrella bags' that people can use when they come in with a wet umbrella

We have these and they’re essentially just plastic bags. Please don’t encourage these!

I work for the nhs
We hot desk - I hate it
I wouldn’t like a gimmicky standing desk
We now have a lovely staff room funded by ourselves
Cheap nasty coffee but no sugar or milk provided
My chair is broken and stained
The place needs new furniture, painting and a bit of love- will never happen
No shower facilities or bike racks
Expensive cafe
We double park but pay for the privilege
Strip lighting
Defo no air con
Dodgy heating
But we sometimes have dogs!!!

I think I need a new career! Feeling unloved!!!

Right now, I'd settle for having some stationery. I've heard tales of there only being red & green biros in the cupboard (no black nor blue); no notepads, no sticky notes larger than a stamp ... But plenty of empty files since we've trended more to paperless. There is meant to be somebody in charge of stationery but she sees it as being "below her" to do so. (And no, I don't have time to take on the responsibility!)

Secure bike storage, lockers and showers. Drying room for wet gear. Good air con. Nice desks. Good staff room with microwave, nice coffee machine etc. ( we have a delonghi bean to cup machine which is very popular). Good meeting spaces with projector facilities. Also small meeting rooms for one to one meetings.
A sense of community - not sure the best way to do this - things like monthly bring and share lunches, or charity cake sales can bring people together.

Really good chairs
Standing desks
Enough space for private meetings and break outs
Showers, lockers and easily accessible bike parking

Good tea and coffee

In mine, scrap the rule that means you have to lock your screen if you take as much as one step away from your desk to get an envelope etc. Then you have to log back in. I must do this over 50 times a day. Plants would be nice. We're not allowed any. A microwave that isn't shared between 900 people (really). We do have a kettle that is only shared between 150 people so we're very lucky.

We have a free hot lunch on the last Friday of the month, it’s great (outside caterers come in and do a different theme). Fruit Thursday was this week, every last bit was gone by Friday morning.
I’ve been working 40 years and they are a fabulous company to work for, the atmosphere is incredibly kind, supportive etc. We even play Friday afternoon Bingo during a really busy time of the year where we stop for 10 minutes and have a game, it’s fab for morale.