We all know unemployment is remarkably low right now. Which means it’s harder than ever to find and retain the best talent. Beyond salary and traditional benefits, what can you do to attract staff— and, even more important, encourage their productivity?

Organizations can beat the odds by making wellness a priority. Because a healthy workforce is a productive one. One way to do that is creating an environment that factors in ergonomics, cleanliness, and (wait for it) collaboration. Fresh and cleverly designed office furniture plays an important role. Here’s why.

Featured Product: Cipher™

Ergonomics Matter

It doesn’t take a PhD in behavioral science to know comfort is a key to productivity. But more than just comfort, properly engineered chairs and desks can literally reduce pains in the neck and back that keep people at home with a heating pad.

Finding the right chair is a fundamental first step, one that feels custom designed for everyone. A study from the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy took the novel approach of assessing those without neck and spine pain instead of those who experience it, suggesting ideal posture is more personal than expected. Individual adjustment is key to supporting it.

The design of HON’s most popular seating aligns with these conclusions. From our award-winning Ignition® 2.0 to our revolutionary Cipher™, these task chairs allow employees to adjust height, arms (height and width), lumbar pressure, tilt lock, and more to find the perfect fit. Happy back, happy neck, happy employee.

Featured Products: Universal Screens shown with Accelerate® Panels, Contain® Storage, Nucleus® Task Chairs, and Flock® Mini

Cleanliness Matters

Hybrid workplaces with so-called “hot desks” and an emphasis on in-person collaboration have heightened concerns about cleaning routines. However, reducing the spread of illness and sick days aren’t the only considerations. Dated designs and materials aren’t just tough to keep clean. They can also contribute to allergies, including respiratory reactions, eye irritation, and skin rashes.

Furniture designed with materials that endure are the new standard, specifically those that can be easily maintained. Mesh seating, for example, does more than form fit and help regulate a comfortable body temperature. The permeable fabric increases overall ventilation and particles that tend to accumulate on solid surfaces pass right through.

HON’s Healthy Workplace initiative offers customers a wide range of products with easy-clean surface materials in addition to furniture that can be quickly wiped down and sanitized. Look for these materials to help keep your workplace cleaner: Crypton®: This is a strong, quick-drying, and easy-to-clean fabric.

Crypton® is resistant to stretching, shrinking, and most chemicals. It is also wrinkle- and abrasion-resistant and stays fresh and resilient when wet or dry.

Polyurethane: This synthetic, non-woven material offers high durability and abrasion protection. Polyurethane is also a breathable material.

Vinyl: A non-woven covering for high durability, vinyl can handle extreme wear and provides effective moisture resistance.

Silicone: An environmentally friendly alternative to vinyl and polyurethane, silicone’s surface is coated in 51% silicone and 49% polyester, making it ink-erasable with water.

Polyester: Available in a wide array of textures and colors.

Featured Products: Arrange® Tables, Between™ Tables, and Accommodate® Seating

Collaboration Matters

Remote work redefined what it means, and what it takes, to be productive. But among the things employees missed and needed most was interaction. People like collaborating in person.

The term “open office” used to be more about layout. Now it’s about workflow. Traditional workstations are great for tasks, but collaboration sometimes demands more versatility. Whether it’s a conference room ready for the next brainstorming session or a flexible space for conversation, creativity, and connection, these spaces often share similar requirements.

Consider a café approach, building on the idea of easy-to-maintain materials and surfaces. Tables like HON’s Arrange® series are available in various sizes, shapes, and heights, creating an inviting space. Or get even more casual with Flock® seating, intentionally designed for cozy collaboration.

The right environment makes team and client engagements less intimidating, and actively encourages discussion, especially peer mentoring. The exchange of insights between experienced employees and those who are new increases the retention of both.

“Workplace wellness has never been more crucial than it is today,” explains Ben Daufeldt, HON’s Brand Marketing Manager. “Employees who are at ease in the office are more than just productive. They become an organization’s best ambassadors for recruiting and retention. Ensuring a comfortable, confident, and casual workplace experience is an investment in the future.”