7 tips for better working in an open space.
2 April 2014
Read by 2311 persons
Having your office in an open space is often a nightmare and a source of stress. Working in concentration is mission impossible.
Provided that certain rules of etiquette are respected, open space also has advantages: it's friendly, you're surrounded, you see your colleagues, you're not locked in an office alone, it facilitates communication and conviviality to create group dynamics.
Here are 7 tips for better living and working in an open space.
Open-space work is fashionable
Today, the open office is very fashionable because it allows the company to optimize workspaces and thus reduce costs. According to Actineo, an observatory of quality of life at the office, 60% of French employees no longer work in an individual office and 14% are in open spaces with more than four people. Only 7% of them appreciate this workspace.
For others, open space presents several drawbacks:
It is noisy
It lacks intimacy
It gives the feeling of being watched by colleagues
It harms concentration
Working in an open space, it's learned and requires respecting certain rules.
I therefore suggest that you put in place 7 tips for living well in an open space because the workspace has a significant impact on well-being and efficiency, and often you will have no choice but to adapt.
1 - Define the rules of good conduct in open space
For good understanding to reign among all employees, it is necessary to define operating rules to facilitate collective life.
Organize a meeting with the entire team where everyone can express themselves and together define the rules of good conduct that everyone must imperatively respect afterwards.
Some simple rules:
Respect silence and discretion to encourage concentration
Don't talk loudly
Put phone rings on vibrate
Forward your line in case of absence
Move instead of calling someone
Leave the room if you have a personal call
Communicate by email rather than by phone
Avoid repetitive comings and goings
Avoid disturbing odors (food, perfume)
Tidy your desk and respect order in the open space
Manage the operation of air conditioning or heating
Don't constantly disturb your colleagues and put a "Do Not Disturb" sign when you want to be left alone
2 - Create a pleasant workspace in open space
Delimiting and creating your own workspace is very important to have a sense of existence and freedom.
Put personal items on your desk, install partitions between you and your neighbor in the form of storage or plants.
You can also suggest to your colleagues a reflection on the reorganization of the posts and submit improvements to your hierarchy.
3 - Manage your health in open space
Obviously, colds and other viruses spread much faster in open space and it's difficult not to catch your neighbor's germs.
It is therefore important to take care of your health and know how to strengthen your immune system through good nutrition and good management of your mental health because stress increases the risk of illness.
In winter, you can put an essential oil diffuser with sanitizing and disinfecting essential oils on your desk to purify your environment.
4 - Isolate yourself from noise in open space
Even if you put in place operating rules as stated above, it will still be difficult to avoid noise.
There are ways to isolate yourself a little, like putting in earplugs, and if it's really difficult, invest in noise-canceling headphones. But first, let your colleagues know that you are isolating yourself for the sake of efficiency and not because of rejection of the group.
If there is a meeting room and if it is possible to set up there, go there from time to time to work.
5 - Be friendly in open space
Working in open space requires relational qualities to communicate better:
Show empathy and develop listening.
Learn to manage latent conflicts.
Manage your emotions.
Assert your point of view while respecting others.
Build a group life and atmosphere by establishing festive moments, either weekly or monthly, to meet around breakfast, a birthday or a party. This helps to strengthen ties and create a healthy and friendly climate where everyone will enjoy living.
6 - Know how to take breaks in open space
Remember to take regular breaks to recharge your batteries, avoid fatigue and increase your efficiency.
In addition to the lunch break, a minimum of two breaks (mid-morning and mid-afternoon) are essential to:
Stretch, yawn.
Take a deep breath.
Hydrate yourself: drink water, coffee or tea.
Eat an apple, a square of chocolate.
If you can, go outside for some fresh air, otherwise move around, walk in the corridor.
The lunch break is necessary to isolate yourself in a calm and serene place or take a walk in a park or square if you have one near your workplace.
7 - Know how to manage your stress in open space
Having an open workspace is a source of stress, quickly identify the causes:
If it comes from the behavior of your neighbors, it is essential to communicate your feelings and find what might suit you better.
If it comes from the organization of the open space, talk to your colleagues to find solutions.
Marie-Pierre Charpentier.
Blog-santeautravail.com
Posted on April 2, 2014.
Provided that certain rules of etiquette are respected, open space also has advantages: it's friendly, you're surrounded, you see your colleagues, you're not locked in an office alone, it facilitates communication and conviviality to create group dynamics.
Here are 7 tips for better living and working in an open space.
Open-space work is fashionable
Today, the open office is very fashionable because it allows the company to optimize workspaces and thus reduce costs. According to Actineo, an observatory of quality of life at the office, 60% of French employees no longer work in an individual office and 14% are in open spaces with more than four people. Only 7% of them appreciate this workspace.
For others, open space presents several drawbacks:
It is noisy
It lacks intimacy
It gives the feeling of being watched by colleagues
It harms concentration
Working in an open space, it's learned and requires respecting certain rules.
I therefore suggest that you put in place 7 tips for living well in an open space because the workspace has a significant impact on well-being and efficiency, and often you will have no choice but to adapt.
1 - Define the rules of good conduct in open space
For good understanding to reign among all employees, it is necessary to define operating rules to facilitate collective life.
Organize a meeting with the entire team where everyone can express themselves and together define the rules of good conduct that everyone must imperatively respect afterwards.
Some simple rules:
Respect silence and discretion to encourage concentration
Don't talk loudly
Put phone rings on vibrate
Forward your line in case of absence
Move instead of calling someone
Leave the room if you have a personal call
Communicate by email rather than by phone
Avoid repetitive comings and goings
Avoid disturbing odors (food, perfume)
Tidy your desk and respect order in the open space
Manage the operation of air conditioning or heating
Don't constantly disturb your colleagues and put a "Do Not Disturb" sign when you want to be left alone
2 - Create a pleasant workspace in open space
Delimiting and creating your own workspace is very important to have a sense of existence and freedom.
Put personal items on your desk, install partitions between you and your neighbor in the form of storage or plants.
You can also suggest to your colleagues a reflection on the reorganization of the posts and submit improvements to your hierarchy.
3 - Manage your health in open space
Obviously, colds and other viruses spread much faster in open space and it's difficult not to catch your neighbor's germs.
It is therefore important to take care of your health and know how to strengthen your immune system through good nutrition and good management of your mental health because stress increases the risk of illness.
In winter, you can put an essential oil diffuser with sanitizing and disinfecting essential oils on your desk to purify your environment.
4 - Isolate yourself from noise in open space
Even if you put in place operating rules as stated above, it will still be difficult to avoid noise.
There are ways to isolate yourself a little, like putting in earplugs, and if it's really difficult, invest in noise-canceling headphones. But first, let your colleagues know that you are isolating yourself for the sake of efficiency and not because of rejection of the group.
If there is a meeting room and if it is possible to set up there, go there from time to time to work.
5 - Be friendly in open space
Working in open space requires relational qualities to communicate better:
Show empathy and develop listening.
Learn to manage latent conflicts.
Manage your emotions.
Assert your point of view while respecting others.
Build a group life and atmosphere by establishing festive moments, either weekly or monthly, to meet around breakfast, a birthday or a party. This helps to strengthen ties and create a healthy and friendly climate where everyone will enjoy living.
6 - Know how to take breaks in open space
Remember to take regular breaks to recharge your batteries, avoid fatigue and increase your efficiency.
In addition to the lunch break, a minimum of two breaks (mid-morning and mid-afternoon) are essential to:
Stretch, yawn.
Take a deep breath.
Hydrate yourself: drink water, coffee or tea.
Eat an apple, a square of chocolate.
If you can, go outside for some fresh air, otherwise move around, walk in the corridor.
The lunch break is necessary to isolate yourself in a calm and serene place or take a walk in a park or square if you have one near your workplace.
7 - Know how to manage your stress in open space
Having an open workspace is a source of stress, quickly identify the causes:
If it comes from the behavior of your neighbors, it is essential to communicate your feelings and find what might suit you better.
If it comes from the organization of the open space, talk to your colleagues to find solutions.
Marie-Pierre Charpentier.
Blog-santeautravail.com
Posted on April 2, 2014.
