An interesting blog in the FT looked into how open plan offices may not be the best layout for introverts. Studies have apparently shown that introverts not surprisingly like to be closed off from their colleagues while they work.

Various studies which have looked into the effects open plan offices have on people who consider themselves introverts should provide some food for thought for business owners. While the idea behind open plan offices in the first place is to promote team work, there will always be some staff who like a bit of time to work by themselves.

Forcing them to work amongst noisy extroverted co-workers may even have an impact on some introvert’s productivity levels which might make an investment in solutions such as private glass pods and semi screened off booths worthwhile.

The FT article is not the first one to feature research into open plan offices and it is unlikely to be the last. As more research is done with the aim of improving health in the workplace, the way the office environment is constructed is likely to increasingly be the focus.

The challenge for those businesses having open plan offices is to also keep their extroverts happy. No extrovert will be happy sitting in a sealed off booth even if that will make quieter colleagues a lot happier in work.

While the EU mulls over whether or not to class obesity as a disability, there is the possibility business owners may be forced to provide office furniture suitable for obese employees.

As the law stands obesity is not seen as a disability, however a case involving a 25-stone worker from Denmark at the European Court of Justice may change everything if a ruling is made against his employer then this will set an important precedent.

Employers would be forced to invest in heavy duty office furniture that is designed to take the extra weight rather than opt for standard office furniture, which may not be up to the job.

The Danish child minder disputes his employer’s claim that he was dismissed due to poor performance and claims that it was because of his weight and the extra cost of providing heavy duty furniture.

Employers have a responsibility to provide to make offices safe and comfortable for disabled employees and this may include those who are obese if the Danish employee wins the case or risk being accused of discrimination.

Office furniture makers have reported an increase in orders for reinforced office chairs in recent years. According to The Overseas Development Institute an estimated 64% of Britons are overweight or obese.

US business magazine Forbes recently ran an article discussing the benefits of employers providing ‘perks’ of the job in terms of maximising employee productivity and loyalty. Whilst expert opinions were divided as to how effective these perks and benefits could be – over, say, a great company culture – well, we thought we’d share with you some of the weird and wonderful workplace luxuries some US businesses are providing for their staff. Here goes:

1: On-site masseuse – to combat stress in the workplace companies including LinkedIn, American Express, Coldwell Banker, Intel, SAS and Samsung provide chair massages to employees. It’s not always free, but it does mean employees don’t have to travel to get their stress-relieving fix.

2: On-site doctor’s office – the software firm SAS has provided an on-site Health Centre at its HQ since 1984. The centre provides a wide range of services at no cost for employees and their family members covered by SAS health insurance. So again, so need to miss a half day’s work travelling to and from a doctor’s appointment.

3: Cleaning Service – IT staffing firm Akraya sends professional cleaners to employees’ homes twice a month to combat the stress of having to cope with work as well as stay on top of housework.

4: MetroNap EnergyPod – one of our favourites! As seen at Google offices, this ‘chair with a helmet’ reclines and plays soothing sounds for that all-important power nap. At $12,895 apiece, we wonder how soon we’ll be seeing these gizmos in UK offices?!

5: Webcam-monitored childcare – Deloitte in particular underwrites the costs of childcare for employees who place their little ones in daycare centres that have Webcams installed. Mums and Dads can log on remotely from the office or by phone to check in on Junior at any time, thus giving peace of mind and letting them get on with their work.

6: On-site Bar – another favourite! Social media company Yelp has both an on-site bar and even ‘adult beverage’ vending machines delivering FREE beer and developed by its own engineers! Of course, drinking on the job isn’t allowed, but it’s a way for employees to socialise after working hours, perhaps making use of the pool table, ping pong and video games room too.

7: Scooters – corporate HQs in America can be vast and are often called a ‘campus’. To help employees travel to and from meetings ‘on campus’ companies including Abercrombie and Fitch and Google provide scooters for just that purpose.

8: On-site laundry and dry cleaning – perhaps the most sensible and useful of the lot, firms including Facebook, Google and Twitter offer on-site laundry and dry cleaning facilities to make life that bit easier for their people.

So, that’s how they’re doing things over the pond – but if you’d like to start things off a little easier, how about coming to talk to us about your office layout and design? Even simple changes can make a big impact on employee productivity and wellbeing at work. As experts in workspace design we can ensure you maximise your space as well as your employees’ enjoyment of it.

Though we may try and talk you into investing in a MetroNap EnergyPod…just so we can come and have a go!