Unit 2 The Unit 2 The Working Working

EnvironmentEnvironmentUnit 2a – Office LayoutUnit 2a – Office Layout

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

recognition. recognition.

Cellular Office LayoutCellular Office Layout

Cellular Office LayoutCellular Office Layout

An office which has fixed walls and a An office which has fixed walls and a door where a person normally works door where a person normally works on their own. on their own.

Usually furnished with traditional Usually furnished with traditional furniture. furniture.

People working in a cellular office People working in a cellular office leave their working material there leave their working material there because they use the same office because they use the same office every day.every day.

AdvantagesAdvantages Security - easier to restrict access to equipment or Security - easier to restrict access to equipment or

information.information. Less distractions/interruptions by other employeesLess distractions/interruptions by other employees Privacy for confidential meetingsPrivacy for confidential meetings Rooms can be personalised to suit employees Rooms can be personalised to suit employees

working in the room or type of work being working in the room or type of work being undertakenundertaken

Employees can adjust heating, lighting, ventilation, Employees can adjust heating, lighting, ventilation, etc to suit themselvesetc to suit themselves

Noisy office equipment can be placed in a separate Noisy office equipment can be placed in a separate roomroom

Infections and illnesses are less easily spreadInfections and illnesses are less easily spread

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Difficult to superviseDifficult to supervise Poorer communicationPoorer communication Poorer atmosphere - low moralePoorer atmosphere - low morale Feeling of isolationFeeling of isolation Equipment costs are highEquipment costs are high Individual offices take up valuable (and Individual offices take up valuable (and

expensive) spaceexpensive) space Not easy to change the size of work areas Not easy to change the size of work areas

to match changes in the volume of workto match changes in the volume of work Difficult to create a relaxed/friendly Difficult to create a relaxed/friendly

atmosphere as managers likely to be in atmosphere as managers likely to be in separate roomsseparate rooms

Flexible Office LayoutFlexible Office Layout

Source: 2009 Foundation Question 12

Open Plan LayoutOpen Plan Layout

““Consists of a large area where Consists of a large area where many employees work together”many employees work together”

Source: 2008 Foundation Question 6

AdvantagesAdvantages Supervision easierSupervision easier Communication betterCommunication better Shared resourcesShared resources Less time wasted passing information and work Less time wasted passing information and work

from one group of employees to anotherfrom one group of employees to another Less space wasted - fewer walls and doorsLess space wasted - fewer walls and doors Lighting, heating and cleaning is less expensive Lighting, heating and cleaning is less expensive Size of work areas can be changed to match Size of work areas can be changed to match

changes in volume of workchanges in volume of work A relaxed/friendly atmosphere can be created A relaxed/friendly atmosphere can be created

with employees and line managers working in the with employees and line managers working in the same areasame area

DisadvantagesDisadvantages High level of noiseHigh level of noise Many distractionsMany distractions Illness can spread easilyIllness can spread easily It may be more difficult to restrict access by It may be more difficult to restrict access by

unauthorized staff to equipment or unauthorized staff to equipment or confidential information (see: confidential information (see: http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=hfx8Oy8RSzM&feature=related=hfx8Oy8RSzM&feature=related))

Fewer suitable areas for holding confidential Fewer suitable areas for holding confidential meetingsmeetings

Standard lighting, heating and ventilation may Standard lighting, heating and ventilation may not suit all activities or all employeesnot suit all activities or all employees

CarrelsCarrels

Small booths for employees to work Small booths for employees to work inin

Carrels provide more privacy and Carrels provide more privacy and fewer distractionsfewer distractions

When choosing the When choosing the layout of an office layout of an office

consider…consider…

Size of organisationSize of organisation Type of workType of work Accommodation availableAccommodation available Financial resources availableFinancial resources available

Office Layout should…Office Layout should…

Be adaptable to meet changes in workBe adaptable to meet changes in work Account for flow of workAccount for flow of work Allow employees to move about easilyAllow employees to move about easily Economical to maintainEconomical to maintain Provide easy access to services and Provide easy access to services and

equipmentequipment Provide security for equipment and Provide security for equipment and

informationinformation

Now do Tasks 1 & 2 in your Now do Tasks 1 & 2 in your booklet!booklet!