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The truth behind the humor: Office space affects productivity

For some, it's a shiny, red stapler. For others, it's a spacious cube with a view. And now research suggests that the extinction of doors and vast open spaces in the workplace are more than just a laughing matter. Gallup research finds that Dilbert is right after all: uncomfortable work environments make for disgruntled employees.

Gallup Management Journal surveyed U.S. employees and gathered data between 2000 - 2005 to examine how the physical work environment presents barriers to engagement and performance. And the findings show a strong relationship between workplace engagement and environmental factors such as noise, temperature and the ability to personalize workspace.

The research also finds that employees in comfortable environments are much more likely to be engaged and make positive contributions to a company's financial success. Engaged workers are more productive, profitable, safer, create stronger customer relationships and stay with a company longer than less-engaged employees.

Gallup categorized respondents into three employee types, as follows:

• Engaged: 31 percent of respondents. Engaged employees work with passion and feel a profound connection to their organization. They drive innovation and move the company forward.
• Not engaged: 52 percent of respondents. These workers are essentially "checked out." They sleepwalk through the day and don't put energy or passion into their work.
• Actively disengaged: 17 percent of respondents. These employees are not only unhappy at work, but they're busy acting their unhappiness out. Every workday, they undermine what engaged employees accomplish.

Overall, the 2005 survey found that the number of actively disengaged workers represent about 23.3 million workers (17 percent). And Gallup estimates that the lower productivity of actively disengaged employees can cost the U.S. economy an estimated $370 billion each year.

It may be just the time to seek Feng Shui enlightenment, put your ergonomics designer on speed dial and plan your next all-employee event: "Trading Cubes."

Source
Why Dilbert Is Right, March 9, 2006, gml.gallup.com.