Office Design is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution For Employees
Office design has changed a lot since the invention of the office cubicle. Today’s office design trend is to knock down all of the walls and force employees from all departments to interact. This open office trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down even amidst concerns over lack of privacy or noise control. However, many critics believe that an open office environment reduces worker productivity and employee satisfaction. When an open office design is thrust upon employees as a one-size-fits-all solution, it can lead to disastrous results. Employees that are forced into an office that works against their own work style will simply not work well. To make an office more effective, the office design must meet the needs of ALL employees.
Understand Your Business Culture
To understand what type of office design will work best for your business think about the kind of office environment you want your employees working in. In some industries, open workplaces actually do have a positive impact on creativity. Individuals that thrive on interaction from colleagues may see open plans as positive. Some companies (think startups or tech industry) have an open office plan to strategically accommodate rapid growth. Companies that rely on collaboration would have different needs than a traditional business where quiet work is done a majority of the time.
Utilize Flexible Workstations
If your business is more traditional, then it may not be in your best interest to follow the latest open office design trend just because Google does it. What’s right for Google may not be right for your business. Designers approach traditional businesses with greater flexibility in order to provide a plan that works well with each company’s individual culture. A more balanced workplace, filled with a variety of focused and collaborative workstations will accommodate work styles of all types of employees. Plus, a flexible setup will score higher in employee satisfaction and worker performance. According to a Gensler survey of more than 90,000 respondents, focus work is seen as the most crucial activity.
Identify Unique Needs
Ultimately, designers must assess each organization’s unique needs, based on such factors as the industry, market, corporate culture, demographics, recruitment, and retention. For too long office designs have adopted a singular model. If modern work environments are to truly be successful they must adapt to a multitude of working styles.
No matter the industry, you can rest assured that ROSI Office Systems has the ideal office space solution. In addition to office design, we offer specialized ergonomic products, including monitor arms and sit to stand desks. And, whether you require hundreds of office workstations or just a small number of office desks and ergonomic office chairs, we’ll provide individualized service. If you’re ready to talk to one of our designers, we’re here to help! Contact us for a free consultation today!