NEOtropolis, from Western Reserve Public Media, did a terrific profile of some of NorthEast Ohio’s most innovative workplaces. They look at Marcus Thomas LLC, a Cleveland area advertising and marketing firm, where employees have access to inhouse video games and can bring their dogs to work. Their space is also open and airy and a cool place to wander around. Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. The NorthCoast 99 Best Places to Work winner has started Fit For Life, an employee wellness program. We’ve focused before on workplace aesthetics, but this program brings up some good points about efficiency (employees working later because they don’t have to go home and walk their dogs) and cost savings (saving on insurance because people exercise at work).  There’s also a terrific panel discussion.  Check it out here: Link

As the line between work and life becomes more gray, expect unconventional workplaces to become, well, more conventional.  It’s probably worth it to point out that the examples typically used to show an unconventional workplace usually have some branding component.  In other words, a creative agency having a creative office is positive branding.  A healthy work environment in a company related to healthcare is another positive branding reflection.  But what about accounting?  Or engineering?  Or manufacturing?  In other words, does a positive work environment matter if no one expects it to be positive?  Or at least something more than a room full of desks and cubicles?  In many ways, yes.

The same benefits apply to different disciplines — accountants still need to go home and walk their dogs or care for their children, for example.  So the lesson may be to not judge your work place requirements by how much you are perceived by  the outside world.  Increasing productivity and wellness are the main reason for creating a comfortable, accommodating space for work.  The branding should come second.

Watch the video here:  NEOtropolis Episode 111