Workplace Design And Employee Productivity Of Pharmaceutical Companies In Nairobi County

Abstract

Employee productivity depends on the nature of work environment. However, the workplace design in most industry is unsafe and unhealthy and this includes also the pharmaceutical industry. These includes poorly designed workstations, unsuitable furniture, lack of ventilation, inappropriate lighting, excessive noise, insufficient safety measures in fire emergencies and lack of personal protective equipment. People working in such environment are prone to occupational disease and it impacts on employee‟s performance. A well designed office signals the values and objectives of the company and the use of design in office interiors communicates a company's values and identity. Good workplace design can make a big difference in staff satisfaction, attraction, motivation and retention. The study investigated workplace design and employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies in Nairobi County. The independent variables for the study were ventilation and air condition, office furniture, safety and fatigue. The study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey. The results were analyzed using social sciences (SPSS) computer software. The target population for this study were 54 pharmaceutical companies in Nairobi County. The study used both primary and secondary data. From the results of correlation analysis, there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between ventilation and air conditioning and employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies. The study also found out that there is a positive and significant correlation between office furniture and employee productivity. Safety was also found to have a positive and significant association with employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies. Fatigue had a negative and significant association with employee productivity. Ventilation and air condition, office furniture, safety and fatigue were found to be satisfactory in explaining 74.0% of employee productivity. Regression results showed that ventilation and air condition had a positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies, office furniture had positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies while safety has a positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies. Further, regression results showed that fatigue has a negative and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity for pharmaceutical companies. From the study findings, the study concludes that ventilation and air condition, office furniture, safety and employee fatigue significantly influences employee productivity. This study recommends for installation of ventilation and air conditioning equipment for proper air circulation. This study recommends for the acquisition and installation of office chairs, desks, cabinets and work stations that observes ergonomic office design. The study recommends proper and clear safety guidelines should be provided in the place of work. There should be a deliberate attempt to create safety awareness among employees through staff training. The study recommends for proper work schedules that do not harm employees. In most pharmaceutical companies, employees work for longer periods early in the morning to late night.”