Plants make you feel and work better
The argument that plants can improve a person’s well being has until now been largely speculative. But mounting research reinforces the link between green offices and stress free, productive workers.
Washington State University conducted a study that found - after adding plants into a windowless workplace - participants to be more productive (12% quicker reactions during computer tasks) and less stressed with lower blood pressure readings.
A study of Norwegian workers by the Agricultural University of Norway linked health benefits to plants in offices. The study witnessed symptoms of fatigue falling by 30 per cent and headaches by 20 per cent after plants were introduced into the workplace.
Further research found evidence that plants can reduce the level of allergens in the air, decrease noise pollution, and create balanced humidity levels. Also, plants are thought to aid recovery from stress during break periods.
More info - Facilities for customers and employees
The law - Inform and consult your employees
Regulations state employers must:
- inform employees of the main terms and conditions of employment (and communicate subsequent changes).
- communicate in writing reason for dismissal, upon request, or automatically in the case of women who are pregnant or on maternity leave.
- consult on certain matters when buying or selling a business.
- give Trade Unions the information they need for collective bargaining.
- provide itemised payslips to employees whenever they are paid.
- write to employees if requesting Sunday working.
- consult on collective redundancies, business transfer or changes to pension arrangements.
- write to employees notifying of the right to request employment beyond retirement age (this must happen at least 6 months but no more than 12 months in advance of intended retirement age).
Additional responsibilities exist for businesses with at least 100 employees. The Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) regulations give employees the right to request specific consultation rights. Intentionally flexible in nature, areas for information and consultation include organisational structure, employment levels, objectives and policies, past and present performance and future plans and prospects. These rights apply if ten percent of employees make a valid request, or can be voluntarily implemented by the employer.
More info - Inform and consult your employees
Sharing knowledge - Communities of Practice
Communities of Practice (CoP) is a process of social learning that occurs when people with a common interest collaborate to share ideas, solutions and innovations.
Companies adopt this practice to manage and share knowledge across offices, departments and business functions. Groups communicate periodically to share and record information that’s relevant to the groups objectives or the company’s wider needs.
From a HR perspective, it’s worth investigating how a CoP framework might benefit your business - not just as a tool for managing information - but as a process to retain knowledge when people leave their jobs.
More info - Communities of Practice commentary from idea.gov.uk
More info - Read article Know to grow
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