Unit 2 The Working Environment Unit 2a – Office Layout

Over the last couple of decades ICT has changed the world of work beyond recognition.

Cellular Office Layout

An office which has fixed walls and a door where a person normally works on their own. An office which has fixed walls and a door where a person normally works on their own. Usually furnished with traditional furniture. Usually furnished with traditional furniture. People working in a cellular office leave their working material there because they use the same office every day. People working in a cellular office leave their working material there because they use the same office every day.

Advantages Security Security - easier to restrict access to equipment or information. Less Less distractions/interruptions by other employees Privacy Privacy for confidential meetings Rooms Rooms can be personalised to suit employees working in the room or type of work being undertaken Employees Employees can adjust heating, lighting, ventilation, etc to suit themselves Noisy Noisy office equipment can be placed in a separate room Infections Infections and illnesses are less easily spread

Disadvantages Difficult to supervise Difficult to supervise Poorer communication Poorer communication Poorer atmosphere - low morale Poorer atmosphere - low morale Feeling of isolation Feeling of isolation Equipment costs are high Equipment costs are high Individual offices take up valuable (and expensive) space Individual offices take up valuable (and expensive) space Not easy to change the size of work areas to match changes in the volume of work Not easy to change the size of work areas to match changes in the volume of work Difficult to create a relaxed/friendly atmosphere as managers likely to be in separate rooms Difficult to create a relaxed/friendly atmosphere as managers likely to be in separate rooms

Flexible Office Layout Source: 2009 Foundation Question 12

Open Plan Layout Consists Consists of a large area where many employees work together Source: 2008 Foundation Question 6

Advantages Supervision Supervision easier Communication Communication better Shared Shared resources Less Less time wasted passing information and work from one group of employees to another space wasted - fewer walls and doors Lighting, Lighting, heating and cleaning is less expensive Size Size of work areas can be changed to match changes in volume of work Arelaxed/friendly atmosphere can be created with employees and line managers working in the same area

Disadvantages High level of noise High level of noise Many distractions Many distractions Illness can spread easily Illness can spread easily It may be more difficult to restrict access by unauthorized staff to equipment or confidential information (see: e=related) It may be more difficult to restrict access by unauthorized staff to equipment or confidential information (see: e=related) e=related e=related Fewer suitable areas for holding confidential meetings Fewer suitable areas for holding confidential meetings Standard lighting, heating and ventilation may not suit all activities or all employees Standard lighting, heating and ventilation may not suit all activities or all employees

Carrels Small booths for employees to work in Small booths for employees to work in Carrels provide more privacy and fewer distractions Carrels provide more privacy and fewer distractions

When choosing the layout of an office consider… Size Size of organisation Type Type of work Accommodation Accommodation available Financial Financial resources available

Office Layout should… Be adaptable to meet changes in work Be adaptable to meet changes in work Account for flow of work Account for flow of work Allow employees to move about easily Allow employees to move about easily Economical to maintain Economical to maintain Provide easy access to services and equipment Provide easy access to services and equipment Provide security for equipment and information Provide security for equipment and information

Now do Tasks 1 & 2 in your booklet!