2010 Office Workplace Proposal
Natalija Mitanovska 3/26/2010
Table of Contents Page 3 – Executive Summary
Page 4 – Introduction
Page 5 – Body –
new ways of working
Page 6
What makes a safe office?
Page 7
what makes an innovative office?
Page 7
our offices component
Page 7
Floor layout options
Page 8 – Conclusion
Page 9 - References & Appendices
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 2
Executive Summary In here you will find the explanation of how an office should look, feel and work in. In every office it should be safe, environmental and have good use of technology. This proposal ensures every employee has up to date software whether in books or in the computers, has the environmental aspect in good lighting, office equipment, ventilation, energy and recycling.
Working together as a team in a company everyone has different ideas in new ways to improve the workplace. As working together there should be; Flexible workstations Fresh new funky looking furniture to express employees o Where employees can sit and be creative and/or concentrate on work to be done Hot desks o Allow employees from time to time to use furniture/computers that are available which are not in use. Desk sharing o 2 employees working in the same area or on the same job- share ideas. o Offices should be public and sometimes private. If the employer needs to have a meeting with a bunch of people then a specified room is needed especially for something like this. There should be personal workspaces, interactive spaces and support spaces.
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 3
Introduction Change in the workplace is always good.
It means that employees can have a different aspect on creating a project with ideas that they have never thought of before. When change is being taken place the offices may look fresher, newer and somewhat cleaner to work in. no one wants to work in an office where it’s been the same for so long and they can’t think anymore.
As you can see back in the old generations employees used to have tables and chairs gathered around one area where it would be cluttered, not safety, noisy and everyone would be in each other’s way.
In new improvement as you can see this office is simple, fresh looking, new and easy access. No one will get in your way as there are only 2 chairs for you and a client and a computer for technology access. This is a well done office.
This is also another office that is clean, safe and well managed. It has good lighting and no disturbance.
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 4
Body New ways of Working Working in the workplace can affect some employees as they may not like the idea of change, but at some point this must happen within the office as it will give you brighter ideas on your projects, its healthy for yourself as being stuck in the same position for so long you might go crazy. Improves productivity as you may need to move around in the office which means you would need close access. Desk sharing, hot desking and telecommuting is another way in which people can work at. Sharing desks is a good way if you are working on the same project, it may look like you’re in a little team. Hot desking is if an employee needs to use a specified computer or desk then this area is for them, it will allow them access in this area if they need to complete or work on a project. Telecommuting, working from home if you’re a mother looking after her children or have a disability and cannot travel to work but the work can be done from home. A disadvantage in this area is that if you have a problem and cannot reach the manager then you are stuck. You cannot have those chit chats at work as some employees have whiles making a coffee, you have everything close by so you don’t have to get up from your chair ( OHS issue), Café- some offices are on hand, fast paced jobs and they do not have enough time to make their own coffee. This is where a café comes in handy where within time they can order their coffee when needed and it will be brought to them by an assistant. Bookstore- offices run out of paper, staples, etc every now and then, and if you’re in the middle of working on something important a bookstore is a good way. It’s more like a convenience store, if you need something for the office, it’s there.
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 5
What makes a safe office?
The office has to be safe as well as you. Sitting at a desk with a computer, you need to have the right position to prevent any injuries including RSI. Have your back straight, your eyes at a good level with the monitor and feet well on the floor as knees have to be in balance with the seat. Unlike a factory, an office is much different. There is a more possible chance to avoid accidents and injuries in the workplace. Wires and cables are the most common cause of an easy injury. From computers to printers cables tend to be seen, on the floor and in people’s ways. To minimize this from happening there are quick and easy materials to prevent such a case.
Command 3M Cord clips. These clips help a cluttered office become safe and trip free. Just gather the cords and clip them in. the clips are placed on a wall or on the corners of the wall.
As being at a computer for a long period of time an anti-glare filter is an effective way to reduce the strain in the eyes. Filters may reduce glare by up to 95%. Offices as well as rest rooms, reception areas etc must be clean. This is a case of hygiene which may cause the spread of bacteria and viruses. Keeping areas clean encourages employees to not be afraid to walk in the doors of a well kept-maintained area. Offices must be well spaced out as too much clutter can prevent an employee from doing their job. Make sure the office is clean, sorted and s spacious. In an office there should be an area for recycling paper, glass, cans etc, saving power such as lighting and air conditioning where energy consumption can be reduced by up to 50%.
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 6
What makes an innovative office?
The cube table: This table has a bunch of cubes. When you want to open a cube just push down the cub and let it goes, it will come up. You will then have a storage section for any necessary items. This desk will allow you to be organized and avoid any mess on the table. Functionality- an office should be easy for staff to work in. Communication- teams/staff are approachable. I.e. easy to approach other team members in the workplace. Social Interaction- to share and pass information. Employees with ideas may pass down information to another employee. Environment- good lighting, office equipment, air con. Energy saving and recycling. Technology- flexibility and decrease space/power requirements.
Our offices components Personal workspaces – Open workstation- support communication in a team based work but maybe arranged to allow privacy where necessary. Mobile stations- used for easy access and able to be moved around the office. Enclosed offices – these offices are more for people who like to work on their own, privacy based and easy to work in as there is no noise for distraction.
Floor layout options In the floor plan it has been created for a number of employees. There has been put in place a boss’ office, conference room, cleaning room, café (a’la), book room, entertainment room, rest rooms for both men and women, meeting room and a quiet room followed by a receptionist at the front table. I decided to have the office layout spaced out and make everything that would be louder to the back of the office and quiet to the front. In the middle there is a small chill-out lounge where small brief meetings can take place. A café, so no employees need to worry about cleaning up the kitchen and lastly the bookroom where any information can be kept as well as more private papers.
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 7
Conclusions An office needs to consist of quiet and noisy areas. It should have rest rooms and a main reception area. Included in the new office plan created, it was planned out so there were enough rooms for everyone even for employees when they drop in from time to time. Employees will have the pleasure to have a conference meeting, entertainment area, meeting area, quiet room and an implemented café.
The quiet area is for employees who want to concentrate on doing their work without being disturbed. There are 4 tables which are very spacious. Employees may also have a quiet meeting if working together on the same project. As for the entertainment area staff may be able to have a meeting, consolidate or have discussions just by communication. This area is a casual section where ideas can be shared amongst the group. The conference room is a more formal discussed room where employees come together to discuss projects and ideas. Discussions may take longer so a larger area is needed with good space. Employees can sit down, discuss, reach, layout everything on the table and then finally come to a conclusion. A boss’ office is simple; it’s where the head employee/owner/manager needs to have their privacy, alone time with clients and other employees. A two employee room is allocated for employees working on a specific project. This project may be a large business company based which needs the two best employees in the office to work on it. Basic cleaning room has been put in for any spillages or cleans up also rest rooms for the employees to use. Lastly, the café, no one wants to clean up a messy kitchen after a long day’s hard work. Experienced workers own this café, selling tea and coffee with the occasional sandwiches and snacks for on the go food for the busy employees in this company.
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 8
References & Appendices
http://www.business.vic.gov.au/busvicwr/_assets/main/lib60037/06_hpt2 1managingchangeintheworkplace.pdf
http://www.tuvie.com/search/innovative+office+desk+design
http://www.cleanenvironmentjanitorialservices.com/id98.html
Natalija Mitanovska
Ensure a safe workplace
Page 9