New Employee Essentials: Set The Stage for Success
Investing in an employee workspace is an investment in your business. Make new recruits feel valued from day one with essential office supplies, technology, and ergonomic furniture.
Why to Invest in Your New Employee's Space
In the dynamic world of modern business, an age-old adage rings true: "Invest in your people, and they will invest in your business." Nowhere is this sentiment more applicable than in the onboarding process of a new employee.
New employees will often make their decisions as to whether their new company was worth the move or not during their first day on the job.1
Show your new employee that they made the right move by setting them up for success from day one. Investing in a new employee's workspace makes a statement about the culture of your organization. It accelerates employee integration, boosts morale, and speaks volumes about your company's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence.
What to Include in Your New Employee's Space
Your new employee's workspace, whether in-office or at home, sets the tone for each day. There are three core elements to consider when curating a space for new employees: furniture, technology, and office supplies. These foundational components play a pivotal role in building a comfortable and productive work environment.
Furniture
A great workday starts with the right furniture. Promote comfort and productivity with ergonomic solutions that enhance the overall work experience.
Desk Solutions
When selecting office desks for new employees, consider their job function, space requirements, and ergonomic needs.
L-shaped desks and executive desks are excellent for employees that require more work and storage space. They offer ample surface area and accommodate multiple monitors for the most efficient workstation.
Standing desks are a great way to invest in the well-being of your employees as they can contribute to overall health as well as promote better posture and increased energy levels throughout the day. You may also consider standing desk converters as an ergonomic option that can be added to existing desks.
If you are providing a standing desk, or your new employee will be standing frequently throughout the day, be sure to provide an anti-fatigue standing mat which is specially designed to help reduce discomfort and improve circulation.2
Standing at your desk has been shown to reduce neck and back pain, as well as improve overall mood.3
For employees working from home, an office desk with storage and enough space for a computer and monitor is ideal for helping your employees stay organized no matter where they set their desk up.
Chair Solutions
Most office workers spend 75% of their day sitting down. Ergonomic office chairs are a must for all employees, regardless of their workspace. Proper lumbar support and adjustability help reduce discomfort and fatigue during long work hours.
Task chairs are versatile and suitable for various desk types, providing ergonomic features like adjustable height and adjustable arms. They're ideal for employees who require flexibility and mobility while performing their tasks. Executive chairs offer a more sophisticated and luxurious design, often coming in faux leather, leather, and premium fabric options. They typically have taller backs and fixed arms which provide added support and comfort.
Pair standing desks with office stools to provide workers with short breaks from standing without having to adjust the height of their desk.
Be sure to remember chair mats! They offer floor protection and effortless chair mobility to help maintain a flowing workday and a comfortable environment.
Storage Solutions
Keep the workspace organized with prime storage solutions like file cabinets in order to maintain a tidy and efficient workspace. File cabinets offer valuable storage options for important documents and materials, ensuring easy access and organization for daily tasks. File cabinets are also often used to store personal belongings.
Workspace Enhancements
Whiteboards and bulletin boards are essential tools to boost employee productivity and foster a collaborative atmosphere in any office. Whiteboards are a dynamic platform for brainstorming, idea sharing, and visualizing concepts, while bulletin boards offer a space to showcase important information, announcements, and team achievements. Both come in a range of sizes to accommodate any workspace. With a supply of dry-erase markers and whiteboard board erasers, you can support your team's idea flow and maintain a collaborative atmosphere in the office. For bulletin boards, don't forget the push pins!
Round out the space with thoughtfully selected lighting and decor to create a warm and welcoming environment. Desk lamps and floor lamps allow your employees to adjust the lighting in the workspace or office to their own preferences. Clocks and picture frames are popular office decor choices that help transform any workspace into a place where employees feel inspired, comfortable, and motivated to do their best work. Artificial plants not only add some color to the space, but have also been shown to improve mental health while imitating nature.4
Office Supplies
Office supplies are the backbone of any workspace. From writing instruments to notepads, keep your workspace stocked with everything new employees need to stay organized, productive, and focused on tasks.
Workday Essentials
Items like pens and notebooks are valuable companions in any daily task. Stock up on essential writing instruments like pens, markers, and highlighters to facilitate smooth note-taking and encourage creative expression.
Notebooks, notepads, and journals capture thoughts and keep track of important information. Post-it® notes and sticky notes are a versatile way to jot down ideas, create reminders, and keep track of important information. Whether in meetings, brainstorming sessions, or daily to-do lists, these items enhance productivity and streamline organization. For proper document management, supply employees with file folders, paper clips, and staplers to keep paperwork in order and easily accessible. Don't forget the staples!
Organization and Schedule Solutions
A well-organized desk inevitably leads to a clear and focused mind, enabling employees to work more efficiently and effectively. Help employees stay organized with desk organizer systems that give all supplies a designated home.
Every employee manages their time in their own unique way, and with the proper tools, they can easily optimize their productivity and accomplish tasks. Desk calendars serve as a visual reminder of upcoming deadlines and events, while planners enable employees to effectively schedule and organize their tasks, reducing the risk of missing crucial milestones.
Technology
Set the stage for a seamless transition with the technology new employees need to thrive in the modern workplace.
Technology Basics
Provide employees with reliable tech such as a laptop with sufficient RAM, processing power, portability, and durability to allow them to work efficiently in any environment. Use a docking station to connect your laptop to a monitor for your at home setup, and a desktop computer for the office. Having up-to-date and high-quality technology keeps employees connected, making it easy to collaborate effectively and accomplish tasks with ease.
A commercial-grade laser or inkjet printer, scanner or an all-in-one option is another critical technology contributing to a seamless and productive work environment. Inkjet printers are best for low to moderate print workloads, producing high-quality photo prints, bright colors, and handling a variety of media types, making them great to outfit a home office setup, or for a small business. Laser printers, on the other hand, are best for high print workloads and text-based documents. These machines tend to have faster printing speeds and a lower cost per page, especially when printing in higher volumes, making either a laser, or larger tank printer the ideal option for a large office. Don't forget to pick up some ink and toner for your printer!
Whether in the office or working remotely, these versatile tools facilitate the exchange of information and help your employees complete tasks and move projects forward without any hindrances.
Technology Accessories
Whether your employee is working from home or in the office, headphones with noise-canceling and encrypted options ensure they can stay focused and maintain privacy during virtual meetings and calls. High-quality phones and webcams facilitate seamless communication and collaboration with colleagues and clients.
No tech setup is complete without ergonomic computer keyboards and computer mice, these seemingly small accessories pack a big punch in keeping your employees comfortable and productive for the entire day.
Monitor and laptop stands or mounts along with desk pads and wrist rests help enhance employee comfort and optimize desk space to reduce neck and eye strain. Lastly, add cables to connect laptops and monitors with their corresponding desktops, for printer setup, and scanner setup. These thoughtful additions create a more comfortable and conducive work environment that directly translates to increased productivity and overall employee well-being.
Sources
1Brunson, Eric. "First Day on the Job = First Impression of the Company: Was It Worth the Move?" LinkedIn, 2015,
www.linkedin.com/pulse/first-day-job-impression-company-worth-move-eric-brunson
2Smith, Sandy. "New Study Confirms Benefits of Anti-Fatigue Mats | EHS Today." EHSToday, 2012,
www.ehstoday.com/health/article/21915379/new-study-confirms-benefits-of-antifatigue-mats
3Pronk NP, Katz AS, Lowry M, et al. Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: the take-a-stand project, 2011. Prev Chronic Dis. 2012;9:E154.doi:10.5888/pcd9.110323
4Augustin, Sally. "Benefits of the Indoor Plant." Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 2018,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/people-places-and-things/201802/benefits-the-indoor-plant