Plants, Dogs & Screens - What are the best ways to improve productivity in the workplace?

Improving productivity in the workplace is a key concern of bosses everywhere. How can you cut down on procrastinating, distractions, and barriers so that everyone can work smarter (if not necessarily harder)? If you take a look at all of the trending productivity hacks, you can find everything from having healthy snacks to bringing dogs to the office. All of these things are supposed to improve productivity, but do they really? Or do they just range from cheap lip service to further distractions? Dogs are cute but are they lowering stress or lowering productivity?

The best way to get to the bottom of it is to find out what the science and stats say.

Plants for Productivity?

If you can easily improve office productivity, cheaply and without much effort, that's probably what you're going to do. And the idea of only having to put a few plants around the office to boost everyone's output is pretty appealing. But do plants actually help to raise productivity levels or do they just create extra work by demanding constant watering?

The good news is there is some evidence that plants can have a positive effect on productivity. A study looking at two large offices in the UK and the Netherlands showed that plants could increase productivity by up to 15%. The suggested reasons for this include helping employees to be more physically, cognitively, and emotionally involved in their work.

Working Like Dogs

"This is a dog-friendly office" a lot of job ads now seem to say. "We're laidback and cool!" is the subtext. But what effects do dogs really have on the office? Are they therapeutic or just distracting? Dogs in the workplace have been shown to have positive effects on worker morale and productivity and could lower absenteeism too. However, one study suggests that dogs are most beneficial when there are certain other prerequisites, such as flexible hours, autonomy, and open communication.

The Multi-Screen Effect

What about using multiple screens to get your work done? You might think it makes you look busy and helps you to multitask, but does it actually do anything? If some studies are to be relied on, working with multiple screens could be about more than appearance. One study suggests that using both a laptop and desktop monitor can help office workers to complete work better, partly by cutting down on the need to switch between windows.

Real Workplace Changes

Are a few plants and "bring your dog to work day" really enough to improve productivity in the office long-term? While some nice extras such as plants and four-legged friends might improve the working environment, research shows that employers should look beyond the physical environment too. Benefits such as flexible working and training programs could help to create change in the workplace.

Making changes to your workplace could boost productivity. An improved workspace can boost morale, lower stress, and make it easier for people to work more effectively. But they're even more effective when paired with other changes.