Facility Solutions: Reducing workplace stress through design

Almost half of our waking hours are spent at work. While we all have stress in our lives for reasons of relationships, health, finances, environment and world events, our workplace environment should not add to it. As creators and managers of the work environment, we can help mitigate work-related stress through strong and consistent HR practices, such as ongoing staff and management training, an open work environment, and employee assistance programs.

My wife is a senior clinical account manager for First Choice, an EAP in the Northwest. She recently reminded me of the importance of reducing workplace stress through an article she wrote for work. Her focus is on the mental side of the stress equation and mine on providing physical environments that support staff well-being. Through completing numerous headquarters and branch prototype projects, I have learned there are a wide variety of tools that can be used to reduce workplace stress through design.
Here is a checklist that can be used when designing your own place of work:

 

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