How a clean desk policy damages productivity

By giving employees increased control over their work environment, savvy managers with leadership training can gain substantial, lasting boosts in productivity, according to a recent study.

Dr Chris Knight from the University of Exeter has conducted research into how the level of comfort experienced by workers can effect their output in measurable terms.

Their findings shows that motivated employees who are given free reign over their personal workspace can provide their managers with an increase in productivity of up to 32 per cent.

Knight asserted: "Space has a massive impact on our comfort, contentment and identity. When people feel uncomfortable in their surroundings, they are less engaged."

The research indicated that managers could help to encourage productivity by promoting an enriched office environment.

Simple additions such as pieces of artwork or potted plants help add more comfortable atmosphere, while employees who personalise their workspaces were shown to be able to identify more readily with their job, felt more physically comfortable at their desks and were more productive.

"We've been researching now for eight years and this clean desk philosophy - based on the lean office principles - has in those eight years always, without exception, proven itself to be the worst space in terms of both wellbeing and productivity as well," said Knight.