68. I agree that physical workspace can affect morale and productivity and that. as a
4 d- E1 ~) Z( ?, G. o9 Bresult, employees should have a significant voice in how their work areas are designed. - H! q2 Y2 L' q$ O
However, the speaker suggests that each employee should have full autonomy over his 7 B9 L$ H/ [+ c$ v
or her immediate workspace, i think this view is too extreme, for it ignores two 6 K2 k! ]# ?! w
important problems that allowing too much freedom over workspace can create.6 e& r. `8 Z+ Q
On the one hand. I agree that some aspects of workspace design are best left to the 8 {+ w: t& p+ r4 |* `" V' n
individual preferences of each worker. Location of personal tools and materials, style J t5 Q1 ?8 R+ b- [
and size of desk chair, and even desk lighting and decorative desk items, can each play $ p0 S4 X9 s- g6 T7 R0 O
an important role in a worker's comfort, psychological well-being, concentration, and
- k: d" @3 B- J+ {5 e s: `3 }efficiency. Moreover, these features involve highly subjective preferences, so it would . I+ p" s: O5 s9 c8 @; v
be inappropriate for anyone but the worker to make such choices.
, f$ l2 e$ O* N On the other hand. control over one's immediate workspace should not go
- I1 A1 n% w) i. M6 A I$ @6 h# aunchecked, for two reasons. First, one employee's workspace design may Y6 P" ^1 [. A& T# }
inconvenience, annoy, or even offend nearby coworkers. For example, pornographic
) P2 n5 T$ P/ K8 ` @6 `pinups may distract some coworkers and offend others, thereby impeding productivity,
Z3 W# v a) d# s9 k/ F) `fostering ill-will and resentment, and increasing attrition—all to the detriment of the
% W9 {) P) P6 c: Tcompany. Admittedly, the consequences of most workspace choices would not be so tar-
, ]+ D. v- j$ y1 k* ]% Dreaching Still, in my observation many people adhere, consciously or not, to the adage : K* K5 f9 ^& k9 X7 _9 @# R
that one person's rights extend only so far as the next person's nose (or ears. or eyes). A
R) k; d* J+ n- A, V* `/ Msecond problem with affording too much workspace autonomy occurs when workspaces 6 b# a: `+ Y; | X
are not clearly delineated—by walls and doors—or when workers share an immediate
- C _, m8 f' {) S: [4 T; iworkspace. In such cases, giving all workers concurrent authority would perpetuate 5 ^ d0 a) K D' g' B/ K, V, C
conflict and undermine productivity.
7 q! k/ A3 g1 ` in conclusion, although employees should have the freedom to arrange their work 1 r+ B7 p# W2 j* |2 b/ i, A c& G" ]
areas, this freedom is not absolute. Managers would be well-advised to arbitrate , E1 b Y/ q" s( r
workspace disputes and, if needed, assume authority to make final decisions about
* C, ^# `! K+ e9 _workspace design |