How can workplaces restore the mind and support employee wellbeing?
Master's Research
Abstract: This case study explored opportunities for workplace restoration in a company, recognized as one of the Fortune 500 “Most Admired Companies” in 2013, that allowed employee mobility. Guided by the Attention Restoration Theory (ART) and how employees can suffer from mental fatigue under continuous directed attention, Steelcase Inc. was examined to determine design opportunities that alleviated tiredness and facilitated restoration. Restoration’s effects on wellbeing and creativity were also examined. This investigation used a mixed methods approach and collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Through an online employee survey, work and break habits were identified and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) was applied to break locations. In addition, on-site observations included on-the-spot interviews in which employee participants shared their thoughts and opinions on opportunities for breaks. Structured interviews were also conducted to obtain more in-depth insight. Finally, narratives, based on the data collected, were developed to communicate the multiple perspectives in this study and resulted in the Restorative Workplace Typology (RWT). This typology outlines the seven modes of restoration within the workplace. From these modes, further design and research suggestions were presented.
Research Question #1: How do employees, at a large organization that allows mobility, define workplace restoration?
Me Time Narrative: Jim, an IT employee in his mid-20s, came out of his last meeting looking down at his iPhone. His eyes widened as he realized it was already two o’clock. Most of his day had been consumed in back-to-back meetings in which, he felt, his presence wasn’t necessary. Jim quietly escaped the group of coworkers chatting at the top of the stairwell and made his way downstairs.
As he descended the grand staircase into the community area, he nodded at familiar coworkers and waved to a few others as they were leaving the food court with coffee in hand. Jim carefully weaved through the remaining groups of people on his path, turned the corner and finally made it to his destination, which was hidden in the back of the building.
Jim laid his belongings on the ground next to a corner lounge chair and looked out the window as he started to pull out his laptop. He let out a sigh of relief while his eyes quietly admired the trees as rays of sunshine pushed their way through the rustling green leaves. In that brief moment, he forgot about his impending workload. He turned towards the interior of the room. The calm order of the room’s furnishings was sometimes a nice change from the energy of the other community areas. No one was to be found except people quietly meeting in conference rooms across from him. Except for the distant sounds of the food court and people chatting in the conference rooms, no sounds could be heard. This isolation was a welcomed change from the hours of answering questions and engaging in troubleshooting.
He settled comfortably into the chair and opened his laptop, ready to finally dig deep into his own work without any distractions. Jim slipped headphones into his ears as the stillness of the room gave way to the soothing notes of Tchaikovsky.
Research Question #2: Which environmental perceptions and opportunities for restoration exist in the workplace?
This study also looked at restorative levels of locations within the office and found the highest cited places’ overall PRS scores. The spaces especially ranked highest in the subscales Coherence and Compatibility, indicating that a restorative work environment should make sense and support the employee’s intentions for being there.