Feeling unhappy and disengaged is not a new phenomenon in the workplace, but there’s a new word for it in 2023: resenteeism.
Resenteeism is the natural successor from 2022’s employment trend ‘quiet quitting’. The term refers to employees who become disengaged and reduce their productivity due to feelings of resentment towards their employer or workplace.
Resenteeism can be particularly harmful to small businesses, where every employee’s contribution is critical to the success of the company. If even one employee becomes disengaged, the impact on productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction can be significant. Furthermore, small businesses often have limited resources to address workplace issues, making it even more challenging to prevent or address resenteeism effectively.
One common cause of resenteeism is a lack of communication and transparency from the employer. Employees may feel undervalued, ignored, or disrespected if they are not provided with clear expectations, goals, or feedback. Another is a lack of recognition or opportunities for growth and development. Employees feeling stuck in their roles without any chance for advancement may become resentful and disengaged.
Small-business owners must take proactive steps to prevent and address resenteeism in their organisations. A well-designed workplace can help to create a positive work environment, improve communication, and support employee well-being, which can reduce the likelihood of resentment developing among employees.
Here are my three key design tips that will drive engagement and long-term happiness among your workers:
- Enhance productivity
Colour is a powerful communication tool that can influence our mood and productivity. The way colour impacts us tends to be universal rather than subjective, meaning certain colours will trigger certain emotions in all humans. Often in workplace design, we’ll refrain from using too much pattern that can be busy and distracting and contribute to overwhelm in an already highly stressful environment.
The selection of an appropriate palette can greatly influence mood, behaviour, and productivity. Warm hues, such as reds and oranges, have been found to stimulate the brain and prompt action, making them suitable for certain areas of the workplace. On the other hand, cool colours such as blue and green have been shown to elicit positive cognitive and emotional responses, making them commonly used in workplaces to promote a sense of calm and productivity. - Boost collaboration
As more people are coming into the office primarily to socialise and collaborate, a well-designed workplace that facilitates this has never been so important. Designing spaces specifically for collaboration encourages team members to work together, facilitating ideas generation and innovation.
An open and collaborative workplace design can also foster social networks, teamwork and communication among employees. Features such as shared workspaces, meeting areas, and communal team spaces can bring employees together, leading to better collaboration and idea-sharing.
With teams now connecting both in the office and remotely, spaces need to be set up with the right technology to support better teamwork and support people to work together and exchange ideas. - Drive a positive and present workplace culture:
A well-designed space can foster collaboration, creativity, and a sense of purpose among employees. This can lead to a more harmonious and engaged workforce.
Not only can an investment in workplace design boost employee morale by making people feel valued and appreciated, it can also lead to lower turnover rates and higher job satisfaction. Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work when they feel that their employer cares about their comfort and well-being, and has provided a workplace aligned with their needs.
Design elements such as shared break rooms, kitchens, games/recreational areas and other communal spaces can create a sense of community among employees. These spaces provide opportunities for informal ‘networking’, building relationships, and promoting a positive work culture.
