Showering at Work
Research has shown that by having showers at work your staff can be 42% more productive, 33% more creative, 23% happier as well as an improvement in their confidence and motivation.
An eight-week study across four businesses - a restaurant, an architect, an ad agency and a lingerie company showed improvement across a range of areas, from mood to productivity when employees took a showering break during their working day in addition to the usual daily wash before setting off for the office. We all see the shower as a place where you can relax and let your mind wander, with many of us having our greatest ideas whilst having a wash.
The two areas offering the biggest improvements from the perspective of both employers and employees were that of productivity and creativity with an increase of 42% and 33% respectively for employees and 40% and 35% respectively from employers. These figures were particularly true at the ad agency studied, where managers perceived a massive 57% increase in creativity as a result of one shower. Showering at work gives a sense of peace and quiet, away from ringing phones and the busy office atmosphere and perfect for being able to think of new ideas away from the chaotic office environment.
The staff at the restaurant saw the benefits of showering by feeling that they had more fun at work and more importantly, felt more relaxed and in control as a result of a daily shower. The combined results of the study showed that the majority of people enjoyed work more and people felt 22% more relaxed and in control of their job, with employers agreeing, perceiving a 24% increase in employee enjoyment as a result of the introduction of showering, a massive increase from a small change.
Employees generally felt that they had done a better job during the showering phase and also felt they were in a better mood. This did not go unnoticed by employers however who largely agreed, with an average increase perceived of 12% and 20% respectively from their newly motivated team.
Motivation was also said to have improved greatly across all participating businesses, on average by 15%, with confidence improving by 20%.
This research shows that the shower is not just a standard activity of the day but a place for ideas and relaxation allowing you to be at your best at all times from a little bit of ‘showerstorming'.
About the research:
During a control period of four weeks, staff recorded how they were feeling throughout the working day.
Workers then spent a further month taking a minimum of one 'shower break' a day, whilst filling in questionnaires twice a day which rated their agreement with the following statements:
• I feel creative
• I feel productive
• I am in a good mood
• I feel confident today
• I feel relaxed and in control
• I am motivated
• I've had fun today
• I have done a good job
Employers also rated their perception of their employees' performance across these areas.
Participating companies were:
1. Home - advertising agency, Leeds
2. The Chancery - restaurant, City of London
3. 3s - architects and designers, London
4. Simone Perele UK - lingerie, Richmond, Surrey
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