If the office were filled with art, the health and productivity of the workers would benefit
Looking at a picture of Botticelli or Warhol instead of a blank wall while working increases the well-being and productivity of workers. Here's what an English research found
Having a copy of a Picasso or Leonardo in front of your desk in the office compared to an aseptic wall increases the well-being and productivity of workers. This was stated in a research commissioned byBrookfield Properties , an international real estate development and management company, to Perspectus Global.
The goal was to understand how people perceive the work environment and whether the arts and culture can contribute to enriching working life.
I STUDY
The study involved more than 1,000 UK residents who work between two and four days in the office and the rest of the time remotely.
Participants worked in offices that ranged from highly enriched and decorated environments to spartan spaces with little more than a corporate brand on display. Similarly, the effects of cultural, welfare or social events at work on employees were observed.
The analysis was then divided into several parts including the impact of art and culture on workers and what makes an office experience good or bad.
THE RESULTS
From the first part of the research, ie what impact art and culture have on workers, it emerged that for 69% of the interviewees the presence of "interesting and visually striking works of art" in the workplace contributes to well-being which, for 77% of the group is equally favored by the presence of social, cultural or well-being events in the workplace.
When it comes to what makes an office experience bad or good, 64% of workers agree that cultural or social events in the workplace help them work more effectively.
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
Not surprisingly, then, poor office design also contributes to discontent and worsening employee mental health.
41% of respondents agree that their workplace is "poorly designed" and 37% say it is "very uncomfortable".
While only a third of the respondents who are lucky enough to have an office that offers cultural events and wellness services share these assessments.
ART AS AN RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS OF DISENGAGEMENT
The research then focuses on the fact that we are currently facing what many call the " disengagement crisis ", with a growing number of workers feeling disconnected from their jobs – 60% according to an August study. 2022 -, resulting in huge costs for UK businesses.
THE GREATER THE GOOD MOOD THE GREATER THE PRODUCTIVITY
So why not decorate the office more to increase productivity? "We have found that using art as a form of enrichment can increase productivity by up to 17%," said Craig Knight, founder of Identity Realization, a company that aims to maximize engagement and well-being in the workplace.
Inspiration and motivation are much more than goals and deadlines. In fact, the study states that workers – especially the younger ones – want to work in spaces enriched by art, culture and well-being because according to them they promote creativity, fulfillment, sociability and learning.
As essayist Elaine Scarry wrote, beauty is contagious. The more we see it, the more we appreciate its presence and the more we want to create beautiful things and increase the amount of beauty in the world. The same, say the authors of the research, almost certainly applies to the inspiration and sense of accomplishment we get from observing works of art and enjoying well-designed spaces, as they are a reminder of what is possible to do in life and us. they lift the spirits when work calls.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/se-lufficio-si-riempisse-di-arte-ne-gioverebbero-salute-e-produttivita-dei-lavoratori/ on Sat, 12 Nov 2022 06:58:04 +0000.