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Any entrepreneur knows that employee happiness is important stuff. Fail to get on top here, and your enterprise will soon go down the pan. Hence why so many business people spend time making sure their employees feel appreciated and boosting team morale. All the better for ensuring staff want to keep working for you!

A lot of the time, though, staff wellbeing is an afterthought. You consider health and safety after you’ve set up your office. You only think about how decoration impacts productivity once you’ve moved in. We get it; your product comes first, and so it should. Given that they wouldn’t have a job without it, the chances are your staff would agree. But, let’s get real; second-hand attempts like these don’t always have the best results. And, if you’re losing staff fast, it’s a sure sign you’re getting something wrong.

Which is why it’s worth considering employee happiness before you rent, rather than after. No one likes to be a second thought. Plus, considering this after committing could leave you with a space which is less than ideal. Instead, take your good boss hat with you next time you set about finding a new location by considering the following.

Window to the soul

Nothing kills productivity faster than a windowless office. What’s more, this isn’t something you can change after, especially not when renting. So, the moment you start to view offices, you need to look out for options with plenty of windows. Natural light can boost health and mood. Plus, windows create a feeling of space your staff are sure to appreciate more than the confined claustrophobia of a windowless box.

Room for snacks

Bear in mind, too, that looking at offices is a lot like searching for a new family home. You need to make sure there’s room for everyone. Forget focusing on an individual office for yourself. You also need to look out for offices which provide space for a break room. Admittedly, this isn’t a prerequisite. There’s no law which dictates staff need in-office break space. But, given you’re trying to get them on board, this is one of the best ways to do it. It’s a simple gesture which shows you spared a thought to staff during your efforts. That will have more impact on morale than you know.

The sky is not your office limit

It’s also worth considering the ease with which staff can get to your new office. No one signed up for a seven-story climb to work. As such, try not to consider offices which are unreasonably high-up. If you do opt for an office a few floors up, make sure to check that there are working elevators to get your staff there. This is by no means a given, but your team will soon resent you when they’re climbing stairs for the fifth time in a week. Instead, make getting to work as easy for them as you can. That way, they’re more likely to keep coming!