The Work Environment

1. Ergonomics – is an attempt to look at the office environment, and its impact on the individual. As a result many organisations have re-designed the work environment, placing more emphasis on factors such as health and work productivity – poor office layout, ventilation, lighting and even décor. The Work Environment

2. Office Layout • There are 2 main types of office layout: Cellular Open Plan This type of layout consists of individual offices An open-plan layout can be totally open – without any kind of partition of space at all Or ‘landscaped’ which uses plants, furniture and partitions/screens to create work areas within one large space

3. Advantages Disadvantages Cellular Layout Privacy Wastes space Cannot share resources eg printers Status Quiet – can close the door Employees may feel isolated Uneconomic eg lighting/heating Difficult to supervise activity Can regulate heat/light to suit own needs

4. Advantages Disadvantages Open Plan Layout Less wasted space Can be noisy Lacks privacy Easy to supervise Can be designed to suit workflow and work groups Does not give status of ‘own office’ Resources can be shared eg printer/copier Cannot regulate heat/light to individual needs Staff do not feel isolated – social layout

5. Work Flow • No matter what office layout is chosen, it must ensure the correct workflow. Workflow describes the flow of people and paper around the office If the layout leads to unnecessary movement around the building and results in delays, hold-ups and frustration then there is a problem of design

6. Good Design Principles • Locate associated work areas together eg sales and marketing • No unnecessary physical barriers to get from A to B • Common services/equipment sited centrally for all to use

7. Design should meet employee needs • Open-plan layouts should be landscaped to ensure the disadvantages of this kind of layout are minimised and the advantages maximised. For example, Built-in private areas Use ergonomically designed furniture to allow privacy (desk dividers, modesty panels Locate group workspaces to house teams/sections together

8. Ergonomic Environment • The working environment should take account of individual needs, including health and safety issues. • Features of a good ergonomic environment include: Systems furniture – desks/chairs that adjust to fit work, equipment, individual requirements Noise control – appropriate choice of glazing, walls and floor coverings to reduce noise Wall colours which are relaxing, minimise glare, and please the eye Protective equipment for use with ICT eg wrist-rests, anti-glare screens Ventilation – good circulation or air, but no draughts Lighting – non-glare, desk-top lamps where appropriate Workstations which ensure privacy and ownership of space

9. A well-designed, well laid-out ergonomic work environment reduces the risk of ‘sick-building’ syndrome and has a huge impact on both the individual and the organisation • Improves morale and motivation and helps productivity • Ensures effective flow of work • Promotes health and safety at work • Gives a positive image for the organisation • Can be cost-effective as a result of the above