1. The Working Environment
Office Layout

2. Cellular – this is a traditional layout
Types of Office Layout
Cellular – this is a traditional layout
Small rooms
Offices consist of employees

3. Advantages Private meetings can be held
More secure – rooms can be locked
Fewer distractions from other staff
Noisy equipment can be put in another room
Staff can create their own environment

4. Disadvantages Staff can feel isolated (lonely) from other workers
Staff may not feel part of a team
Difficult to supervise staff
Room size may be small and feel crowded

5. Open plan – modern and flexible way of organising work space
Large work area shared by different departments
Screen/dividers used to separate areas of work

6. Advantages Easier to communication with others
Equipment can be shared eg printer
Easier to supervise staff
Team working can be encouraged – motivating staff
Better use of space

7. Disadvantages Lack of privacy More distractions – area can be noisy
Security – difficult to restrict access to information and equipment
Heating and lighting may not suit all staff

8. Factors which affect layout choice
Number of employees in the firm
Is the firm going to grow or reduce in size
The type of work carried out
The amount of money available
Can you explain how each factor affects the layout
Points to consider

9. When chosen the layout should be:
Adaptable – be able to change
Provide enough storage for staff to use
Allow employees to move around easily
Provide safe access to equipment and resources (in line with Health and Safety)
Provide security for belongings and information
Pupil handout

10. Centralisation
A specialist section for services used by the whole organisation
Examples include:
Reprographics
Filing
Mail

11. Advantage Disadvantage Staff are specially trained (experts)
Noisy equipment is isolated
Sharing equipment saves money
Workload more evenly spread amongst staff
Disadvantage
Time wasted getting to centralised area
Work can be repetitive for staff
Loss of contact between staff in centralised area and other members of staff
Pupil handout

12. Working Practices
Not all members of staff need to work in the office. Other working practices include:
Homeworking – an employee that does their job from their own home
Teleworking – an employee that does their job away from the office using ICT equipment
Equipment
Quiz

13. Employee Time and money saved on travelling
Advantages
Time and money saved on travelling
Flexibility in arranging hours
Work around family commitments
Disadvantages
Miss the social aspect of work
Distractions at home can interrupt work
May lack motivation due to lack of supervision

14. Employer Smaller premises are required saving on rent
Advantages
Smaller premises are required saving on rent
Staff tend to be more motivated
Can reduce absenteeism
Staff may stay with the firm if flexible working is offered
Disadvantages
Cost of purchasing equipment required
Difficult to arrange meetings
Difficult to supervise staff
Difficult to ensure Health and Safety and ICT support

15. Employees that work from home will still need to come into the office
Employees that work from home will still need to come into the office. The following areas are provided:
Hot Desk – a spare workstation that can be booked in advance. Equipped with a computer and telephone.
Hot Office – can be booked in advance and used for confidential meetings
Carrel – a small booth which allows staff some privacy. Can have ICT equipment

16. Touchdown Area – used by employees making brief visits to the organisation. They have computer access but cannot be booked in advance.
Café/Social Area – relaxed setting. Can be used for informal meetings.

17. Flexible Working
This describes all kinds of employment which is not traditional full-time (9am – 5 pm, Mon-Fri)
Part-time – someone who works fewer hours than a full-time equivalent
Job-sharing – one full-time job is split between 2 or more people.

18. Shift work – employees work at different times of the day/night to ensure the organisation remains open longer
Temporary Contracts – staff are employed for short periods of time (eg 6 months, 2 years). Saves wages – only employed for time required
Outsourcing – organisations buy in services instead of employing staff. Eg cleaning, security, reprographics and computer repairs

19. Improved morale – staff make choices
Flexitime – employee can choose their own start and finish times. But they must work core hours (eg hours and – 1600 hours).
Advantages
Improved morale – staff make choices
Can fit in family commitments and appointments
Extra hours “banked” which can be taken off at a later date
Disadvantages
Difficult to contact staff outwith core hours
Meetings must be organised during core hours
Requires clocking in/out system

20. Office Environment Changes
Management must fully explain any changes to staff.
Problems associated with change:
Staff resistance – unwilling to adapt to changes
Cost of changing the layout
Training costs
Loss of productivity until staff get used to new ways
Health and safety issues to be considered