THE INFLUENCE OF WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT ON EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA, APAPA, LAGOS

1.2 Background to the Study The condition of the workplace is recognized as a key determinant in the performance outcomes of employees. Research has increasingly shown that the work environment significantly affects employee output—either enhancing or diminishing it (Chandrasekar, 2020). Around the world, numerous labor organizations advocate for employee rights and well-being. Given that people spend nearly half of their lives at work, it is unsurprising that the conditions within these environments heavily influence their mental well-being, behavior, capacity, and performance (Dorgan, 2021). A more supportive and comfortable work setting is generally believed to boost morale, thereby enhancing productivity. When employees are placed in favorable environments, their motivation increases, which naturally leads to improved performance. Several academic studies focusing on different office setups have revealed that dissatisfaction stemming from disorganized and physically unpleasant workspaces is a major contributor to reduced productivity. Employees who are unhappy with their work environment tend to be less engaged and less efficient (Carnevale, 2019). The 1990s saw a shift in the work environment, brought about by changes in technology, social structures, and flexible work arrangements. These developments altered how workplaces functioned, affecting not only physical setups but also the psychological and emotional well-being of employees (Hasun & Makhbul, 2020). A workforce that enjoys both physical comfort and emotional stability is typically more motivated and committed, leading to higher overall organizational performance. Furthermore, a clean and well-maintained workplace has been linked to reduced absenteeism, which directly contributes to greater productivity and effectiveness (Boles et al., 2021). According to a 2007 report by the Economic and Social Council, the growth of the global economy has increasingly failed to create the kinds of quality employment needed to reduce poverty levels. Despite sustained economic growth in many developing regions, unemployment rates have remained high. Many workers still earn below-subsistence wages, and a significant proportion of non-agricultural employment exists within the informal sector. These trends have prompted a shift in global development focus—from economic expansion alone to a broader emphasis on job quality and the improvement of working conditions. In response to these challenges, governments across Africa have called for urgent action. At the Extraordinary Summit on Employment and Poverty Alleviation held in Ouagadougou in 2004, the African Union officially embraced the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda, which emphasizes the creation of quality jobs as a pathway to sustainable development. 1.3 Statement of the Problem According to Chandrasekar (2020), there should be a greater emphasis placed on recognizing and addressing issues pertaining to the working environment. This is due to the fact that employees who have a poor opinion of their workplace are more likely to experience chronic stress. According to Dorgan (2021), the term "working environment" refers to the procedures, systems, structures, tools, and circumstances that exist in the workplace and have an effect, either positively or negatively, on an individual's level of performance. In addition, the working environment consists of the company's regulations, rules, culture, resources, working relationships, and work location, as well as internal and external environmental elements, all of which have an impact on the manner in which employees carry out their job responsibilities. The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence that a worker's physical surroundings have on their level of productivity on the job. 1.4 Objective of the study The general objective of the study is to assess the Influence of Workplace Environment on Employee Job Performance: A Case Study of United Bank for Africa, Warehouse Road, Apapa, Lagos. The specific objectives are as follows: i. To examine whether whether physical work environment has influence on employees’ performance. ii. To assess whether office culture will have an impact on office workers social communications. iii. To determine whether workspace will have an influence on innovation. iv. To examine whether office infrastructure will lead to workers productivity 1.5 Significance of the study This study will be of immense help to different organization and individuals. It will help to highlight the effect of office environment on the productivity of office workers, so that the management will look into the problems with a view to make an improvement on its environment. It will enable the management to create minimum standard of good working environment for workers to achieve optimum productivity. This study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature. 1.6 Research Question The following questions have been prepared for the study i. Will physical work environment has influence on employees’ performance? ii. will office culture will have an impact on office workers social communications? iii. Will workspace have an influence on innovation? iv. Will office infrastructure lead to workers productivity? 1.7 Hypotheses (if any) The following hypothesis have been formulated for the study H01: There is no relationship between physical work environment and employees’ performance H02: There is no relationship between office culture and office workers social communications. H03: There is no relationship between workspace and office innovation H04: There is no relationship between office infrastructure and workers productivity. 1.8 Scope and Limitation of the study The study will examine how office environment affects the job performance of office worker. The study will also assess if work environment affects the morale and interpersonal relationship among the employees. The study will further determine whether physical office environment has influence on office worker job performance. Lastly, the study examine whether office environment affects profitability and customer relationship. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced. 1.9 Operation Definition of term (Optional) Office environment: contains furniture and equipment needed to conduct common business activities job performance: assesses whether a person performs a job well office worker: an employee who works in an office.