Workplace strategy

Workplace Strategy is the dynamic alignment of an organization's work patterns with the work environment to enable peak performance and reduce costs.^[1]

Components and aims

The role of the person charged with developing the strategy, the 'workplace strategist', is to understand the organisation's requirements and recommend a workplace solution that will help them meet their current and future needs. The workplace strategy may facilitate meeting business objectives such as: reducing property costs, improving business performance, merging two or more organisations/cultures, and relocating or consolidating occupied buildings. In more simple terms, the workplace strategy provides a response to either running out of space, having too much space, or wanting to introduce organisational change. The workplace strategy and its implementation quite often occur at an opportune moment such as a property lease break or a company merger or acquisition.

The proposed workplace strategy will focus on how to use the space more efficiently and effectively. Recommendations often include moving from cellular (predominantly private office) environments to open plan, or introducing new ways of working and moving to a flexible working environment, as first proposed by Frank Duffy in the nineties. At around the same time, Erik Veldhoen, a Dutch based consultant and workplace strategist 'avant la lettre', developed the so-called 'activity based design approach'. It was the first integrated design approach ever developed, combining insights from different disciplines including design, ICT, social organization and management. With this methodology he was able to realize the first 'activity-based' work environment for Interpolis, an insurance company, based in Tilburg (The Netherlands). An 'Activity Based' Work Environment is where the occupants have access to a range of work settings, including working at home or on the move, but also share workstations, often referred to as hot desking or the related Hoteling. Since 2001, the concept of coworking space has also provided options for the startups, freelancers and companies who prefer this plug-and-play solution with shorter lease terms commitment.

The work environment assessment is an essential tool for identifying areas that require improvement and highlighting practices that are successful. Based on the results of the assessment, it is crucial to implement strategies that address the identified shortcomings and bolster successful practices. This paper will provide two approaches that can be used to address limitations and two strategies that can promote successful practices, both of which are supported by the literature. Strategies to Address Shortcomings

Effective communication is essential for quality patient care and staff satisfaction. A study by Evans and Suklun (2017), showed that poor communication in nursing work environments is one of the leading causes of adverse patient outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to develop and implement communication strategies that foster a culture of transparency and openness. One of the strategies that can be implemented to enhance communication include regular team meetings, providing feedback, and involving staff in decision-making processes. These strategies can promote collaboration, trust, and respect among team members, resulting in improved job satisfaction and patient outcomes.

Another strategy to address shortcomings in the work environment is appreciating diversity. In the workplace, diversity refers to distinctions based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and other cultural backgrounds. Embracing diversity creates an inclusive work environment that supports cultural competence, reduces discrimination, and improves the quality of care. According to Stanford (2020), implementing a diversity and inclusion program in the workplace improves nurses' job satisfaction, reduces discrimination, and promotes cultural competence. The initiative included educating nurses on diversity and inclusion, fostering an inclusive culture, and promoting diversity in leadership roles. Strategies To Bolster Successful Practices

Decision-making is a critical aspect of nursing practice that requires competence and expertise. Competent decision-making can improve patient outcomes and promote a positive work environment. Therefore, implementing a strategy that enhances competence in decision-making can bolster successful practices identified in the work environment assessment. One strategy to enhance competence in decision-making is by implementing simulation-based education. Simulation-based education is an evidence-based practice that promotes experiential learning, which is crucial for enhancing competence in decision-making (Koukourikos et al., 2021). Simulation-based education can enhance critical thinking and decision-making, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Another approach that can be performed to bolster successful practices in the work setting is to clarify expectations regarding clinical practices in order to improve autonomy. Autonomy refers to nurses' level of independence and control in their practice. Clarifying expectations about clinical practice ensures that nurses understand their roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice. This promotes autonomy, improves job satisfaction, and reduces burnout. Research by Evans & Suklun (2017) revealed that implementing a clinical practice guideline improved nurses' autonomy and reduced burnout. The guideline provided clear expectations about clinical practice, ensured consistency in care, and promoted reflective practice.

With the fourth industrial revolution, people have questioned the relevance of physical workspace and workplace strategy as team may work remotely outside an office space. The meaning and purpose of work spaces is changing to align with the organisation's growth strategy. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace strategies have paid particular attention to hybrid workplace strategy and the challenge of having work-from-home staff return to the office.^[2]

Easy to follow reviews of how to develop a workplace strategy are provided by Eley and Marmot^[3] and Springer.^[4]

Workplace consultants

Workplace strategies tend to be developed by specialist workplace consultants or the service may provided from within an architectural practice. Savage notes that:^[1]

"The successful implementation of a workplace strategy requires an interdisciplinary team, internal and external to the organization ... A workplace consultant may be retained to engage the team, help define success criteria, manage the process, and assess results."

External workplace consultants are professionals from a number of backgrounds: business management, interior design and architecture, building surveying, real estate and facilities management, human resources and building research.

Research

Research is currently underway by the General Services Administration^[5] to test the impact of workplace strategies, design, and new technologies on business performance.

The evidence available to determine the effectiveness of health-promoting policies in workplaces such as healthy catering policies; point-of-purchase nutrition labeling; environmental supports for healthy eating and physical activity; control policies; weight management programmes are sparse and inconsistent. There is low certainty of evidence that the strategies make little or no benefits in employee's health behaviours. It is also uncertain whether such strategies are cost-effective.^[6]

In Ireland

The National Centre for Partnership and Performance in Ireland has established a "National Workplace Strategy" defined as:

"the Government's blueprint to help transform Ireland's workplaces into Workplaces of the Future, by promoting greater levels of partnership-led change and innovation in our places of work, regardless of size or sector. As Ireland continues its economic and social transition to a knowledge-based economy and society, the Strategy's underlying premise is that all companies and organisations can achieve improved performance and an enhanced Quality of working life by improving their capacity to manage change and innovation within the workplace."

The nursing work environment promotes quality patient care and staff satisfaction. Addressing shortcomings and bolstering successful practices in the work environment assessment is crucial in nursing. By ensuring proper communication, appreciating diversity, enhancing competence in decision-making processes, and clarifying expectations about clinical practice, nurses can work in an environment that promotes job satisfaction, innovation, and quality patient care.

See also

• Booster breaks in the workplace