Whats in a Desk

Whats in a Desk As far as inanimate objects go,  desks  are a crucial part of corporate life.  We sit shackled to  them all day, minus  a few meetings, lunch and bathroom breaks.  When it comes to workers  welfare, it would be remiss of business leaders not to include work stations  in the wider strategy of getting the most from people. Take Swiss banking giant UBS, one of the latest  companies to get creative about its workspaces.  Its new building  in London flaunts  a reduced amount of individual offices (by 40 per cent), and an uptake of  mobile  desktops. Employees will no longer  carry laptops or phones around with them, but sign into virtual desktops at any computer, at work or home,  sporting  personalised headsets. According to NY Times, its all about optimising space, money and mobility; doing away with clutter. How does this minimalism sit with the masses? Theres never going to be a universal approach that suits everyone. Organisations can talk about health, productivity and cost benefits of their  approach as much as they like, still,  the idea is sure to excite some and irk others. As with any major change,  its important to understand the different reactions people might have,  and take peoples preferences into consideration. Decorations personalisation Just as some people will love the flexibility and mobility of a minimalistic  approach to workspaces, other will loathe  it. Theres significant research to suggest there are loads of benefits to people personalising their desks, helping them become  inspired and productive. Many people feel more comfortable when they have photos, wall calendars, filing systems, notepads and other stationery at their disposal. For these types of people, setting up shop for a few hours at different monitors each day to the next is likely to unsettle these types. Standing  sitting We are increasingly becoming aware that  sitting down all day is really bad for us (humans werent designed to be in that position all day). Research about the terrible effects it has on our health, posture and productivity is alarming. On the other hand, we also dont want to have to stand up for hours on end, as being on our feet can be tiring and its also important to feel comfortable while we work. Messy or clean Some research claims people who keep their desks clean  and organised are more productive; perhaps more inclined to  eat better and look after themselves. Similar research also connects messiness with laziness and disorganisation but also with increased levels of creativity (read more in this  NY times  article). I guess it depends whore talking about, then? Remote float your boat? According to this Forbes survey, remote workers are happier  and more productive than office-bound employees. On the other hand, we know that those who work from home or in isolation often have trouble with distractions and feeling separated from colleagues and managers. Again, it would appear that its down to personality type and how individuals work best, as to whether being on their own or in a supportive team environment is more effective. Everyones different Jobbio, an online marketplace for jobs and talent, recently conducted research into Generation Z and their career priorities  in comparison to millennials and Gen X. The findings? Major differences exist between generations, and this is also likely to come into play when it comes to things like  desks. Millennials and Gen Z are big on giving back to the planet, going green and opting for healthy alternatives. Perhaps theyll be more likely to respond well to UBS new approach to desks than employees who have worked for longer in traditional office settings and dont fancy a major overhaul? At the end of the day, not everyone gets a choice  about their desk arrangement, and will simply have  to cooperate with what their employer offers them. Employers are often in the touch position of trying to cater for many different needs, while maximising office space and continually cutting down costs. Theres no one size fits all solution: there rarely is where people are concerned. Sometimes  the best method of problem solving is trial and error, learning what works and what doesnt. Good on UBS for being brave and trying something new!