Page 16 - BOSS Today Issue 46

BOSS Today #46 SPECIAL FEATURE

Vanessa Warnes Andrew Stacey

the concentration, collaboration so bigger desks to spread things out they are popular with everyone. Here,
and contemplation activities of and larger backdrops to pin things plants, water, fabric banners and
workers of all ages – noting some up will enhance collaborative modes adjustable lighting are recommended,
specific requirements that would of working. Andrew Stacey, the giving a different feel from the
particularly suit older workers: Purchasing Director of Commercial rest of the office environment.
Group, notes: “We are definitely
n Concentration spaces: these should seeing products for collaboration What Younger Workers Want
be located away from noise and be working being sold. Nowadays, we If the workplace demands of older
equipped with a variety of ergonomic aren’t being asked to fit out offices workers are generally not too dissimilar
furniture items with adjustable – we are being asked to fit out open to those of the whole workforce, what
settings to allow for a range of working spaces.” Warne agrees: “Within central about their much younger colleagues? Do
positions, as poor ergonomics and offices, work is less concentrated Millennials require anything substantially
uncomfortable posture will adversely in individual, dedicated workspaces different from their office environment?
affect productivity. There should as collaborative activities gain Research has shown that Millennials
be natural light wherever possible, greater significance. Open plan office want to know, above all, that their
although it is important to have task furniture, like bench desking, is still company cares about their personal
lights at the desks for ageing eyes and popular, and there is a greater demand wellbeing. There are a number of
for reading printouts off-screen. Says for more flexible furniture, where ways that the work environment
Warne, “The need for more private organisations are looking to create can assist with this, including:
spaces is becoming more significant. collaboration spaces. The needs of
Different working areas allowing older office workers are often an n Active workplace design: this should
for quieter, more focussed, work is inclusion within collaborative teams aim to encourage movement, stimulate
essential, but also we recommend and more flexible ways of working.” physical action and vary workers’
incorporating products that help n Contemplation spaces: these postures throughout the day. It can
increase activity and health in older provide somewhere calm and free of include making simple commodity
workers, such as wobble stools distraction for workers to recuperate purchases (such as sit/stand or
and height adjustable units.” from the stress and noise of the normal treadmill desks) as well as rethinking
n Collaboration spaces: these are work environment. While these are the whole design of the office (such
particularly useful to older people who important to making older workforces as installing a connecting stair
want to spread out sheets and data, more productive, evidence suggests between two floors or simply moving

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