bks@ALFA.berkeley.edu (Brad Sherman) (08/02/88)
For those interesed in the office/cubicle debate and working conditions in general: "WORK PLACES, The Psychology of the physical environment in offices and factories," Eric Sundstrom and Mary Graehl Sundstrom, Cambridge University Press 1986, ISBN 0-521-31947-1, 461pp. PB This book is extremely readable and is an attempt to survey and comment on important workplace studies to date. Includes chapters on psychological processes, lighting and windows, temperature and air, noise, music, colors, work-stations and supporting facilites, self-identity and status, communication, privacy, small groups etc. etc. Anxious managers might be surprised to find that, given a free choice in the matter, not everyone will opt for a private office. Problems involving private offices seem to stem from the fact that, historically, they have been assigned based on status, not need. In a more humorous vein, it has been found difficult to complete controlled studies regarding music and productivity. It seems that once music has been introduced to the office, workers become indignant if it is taken away (because of experimental protocols or for any other reason). -Brad Sherman Computer rooms are not healthy for programmers and other living things.
reggie@pdn.UUCP (George W. Leach) (08/02/88)
In article <12849@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> bks@ALFA.berkeley.edu (Brad Sherman) writes: >Anxious managers might be surprised to find that, given a free choice in the >matter, not everyone will opt for a private office. Problems involving >private offices seem to stem from the fact that, historically, they have >been assigned based on status, not need. In some companies this is true. Just like the type of furniture one is given is a status symbol. However, this is not a justification for sweeping the issue under the rug! Constantly one hears about how important an issue productivity is. Yet, whenever a suggestion is put forth concerning ways to improve productivity it usually involved an increase in spending for more and better equipment, offices over cubes, etc..... These involve REAL money. Increased productivity, while it reduces costs, is not an immediate or very visable quantity. Any type of study that can make valid measurements via a controlled experiment to show that the cost of such improvements will result in paybacks over many years would be a help. The amazing thing is that almost all companies are willing to provide some sort of financial assistance to the *individual* for the purpose of continuing education, either in the form of pursuing a degree or attendance at a seminar, conference or outside course. Yet, the turnover rate in this industry is quite high. So what is the net return on this investment for an employer? Now, when an employee leaves you loose all that training as well. But offices, equipment, etc.... do not leave with the employee. In fact, the environment has a lot to do with the ability to attract and keep employees. The financial investment in continuing education is something that most people expect. To not offer it puts you at a disadvantage in attempting to attract quality people. Yet, how many companies view issues like offices, equipment, etc... in the same light? -- George W. Leach Paradyne Corporation ..!uunet!pdn!reggie Mail stop LF-207 Phone: (813) 530-2376 P.O. Box 2826 NOTE: codas<--->pdn will be gone soon Largo, FL 34649-2826
hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath) (08/03/88)
In article <12849@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> bks@ALFA.berkeley.edu (Brad Sherman) writes: }Anxious managers might be surprised to find that, given a free choice in the }matter, not everyone will opt for a private office. Problems involving }private offices seem to stem from the fact that, historically, they have }been assigned based on status, not need. This has been a bone of contention between me and management here for over three years. My title merits a private office. I've turned down every one offered because the only ones available had no windows. They can't understand why I don't consider being stuffed into a small, windowless, artificially lit box to be a step up. Given a choice, I'll take sunlight over privacy. I'd prefer both. (The fact that people nominally junior to me have private offices with windows is a sore point, too). -- The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, hollombe@ttidca.tti.com) Illegitimati Nil Citicorp(+)TTI Carborundum 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. (213) 452-9191, x2483 Santa Monica, CA 90405 {csun|philabs|psivax}!ttidca!hollombe
lishka@uwslh.UUCP (Fish-Guts) (08/06/88)
In article <3015@ttidca.TTI.COM> hollombe@ttidcb.tti.com (The Polymath) writes: >In article <12849@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> bks@ALFA.berkeley.edu (Brad Sherman) writes: >}Anxious managers might be surprised to find that, given a free choice in the >}matter, not everyone will opt for a private office. Problems involving >}private offices seem to stem from the fact that, historically, they have >}been assigned based on status, not need. Not to mention being lonely. I would rather work with other people, rather than just me and a computer terminal. >This has been a bone of contention between me and management here for over >three years. My title merits a private office. I've turned down every >one offered because the only ones available had no windows. They can't >understand why I don't consider being stuffed into a small, windowless, >artificially lit box to be a step up. Given a choice, I'll take sunlight >over privacy. I'd prefer both. (The fact that people nominally junior to >me have private offices with windows is a sore point, too). I agree: windows are an absolute must, although with large buildings *someone* has to take the offices without them. Flourescent lamps and false ceilings are no substitute for sunlight, blue (or grey) sky, and clouds. Although you can take my opinion for what it is worth (I am still a student, although I am holding down a full-time this summer), I would rather work in an office with other people than be stuck in a private one. I prefer to be able to talk to others every now-and-then so I don't lose my mind by staring at glowing phosphors for 8 hours. I would feel isolated in a private office. My requirements for a good working environment are: (1) a huge desk, absolutely enormous, to spread source code all over; (2) a decent terminal, with a nice display, preferably an LCD...I don't like CRT's all that much (IMHO, LCD's are closer to paper and ink than glowing phosphors); (3) a good bookshelf to place a library of reference books on, including necessities such as a dictionary and thesaurus, as well as the Kernigan/Ritchie C text and the Red Dragon Compiler book; (4) a very comfortable chair, as well as a leg rest to put my feet up on (let's face it...sitting down, watching the screen for over 5 hours can be damned uncomfortable with lousy office equipment); (5) the ability to eat snacks and drink soda or juice while programming, so I do not have to lose my train of thought in order to go for lunch (although there are many times when getting away for lunch is very welcome; however, there are also times when I need to work straight through to get the job done); (6) other people, so I can crack a joke every now and then, or discuss some topic unrelated to computers and programming when I need a brief rest from coding; (7) a walkman and some nice Sennheiser headphones, so I do not bother anyone else by listening to music; (7) a couple small cloth dividers to absorb office noise; (8) no dress code, so I can wear some comfortable (and fashionable!) threads like T-shirts and jeans. I really do not want to work in a job where I become "part of the machine;" i.e. I get my own office with no windows, have to wear a bloody 3-piece suit, and the office is a "pristine" textbook example of an impersonal, very neat place where it is more important to look like an office than function like one. I find that computer programming can be sort of a lonely job, where I constantly interact with a machine. I would like a little humanity in my working environment. >The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, hollombe@ttidca.tti.com) Illegitimati Nil -Chris -- Christopher Lishka ...!{rutgers|ucbvax|...}!uwvax!uwslh!lishka Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene lishka%uwslh.uucp@cs.wisc.edu Immunology Section (608)262-1617 lishka@uwslh.uucp ---- "...Just because someone is shy and gets straight A's does not mean they won't put wads of gum in your arm pits." - Lynda Barry, "Ernie Pook's Commeek: Gum of Mystery"
mrd@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Mike DeCorte) (08/08/88)
Although you can take my opinion for what it is worth (I am still
a student, although I am holding down a full-time this summer), I
would rather work in an office with other people than be stuck in a
private one. I prefer to be able to talk to others every now-and-then
so I don't lose my mind by staring at glowing phosphors for 8 hours.
I would feel isolated in a private office.
I am the exact opposite. The only way I can really get any work done
is if there is nothing else going on. My boss sometimes wonders where
I am because I do most of my work either:
1) at home over the modem
2) after everyone leaves
3) In another smaller terminal room (there are only 3 suns in it)
where there are very few people
For me the ideal environment is:
1) sun 3/50 with X (or a PC with hd, if I am doing PC work)
2) a laser printer near at hand (I take care of TeX you see)
3) a filing cabnet
4) SILENCE. that includes visual silence.
I found out that I can't work with everyone asking questions and
chatting. Chatting is nice and all, but if I am trying to
find out where I lost a pointer, I can't be interupted.
That is why I show up at work about 2pm and leave at 4pm. I come in
to see if anybody need something from me, or I need to ask questions
etc. Most of my work (and all of my productive work) is done late at
night or elsewhere.
--
Michael DeCorte // (315)268-2292 // P.O. Box 652, Potsdam, NY 13676
Internet mrd@sun.soe.clarkson.edu // Bitnet mrd@clutx.bitnet
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------------------------------------------------------------52032_2326@uwovax.uwo.ca (Mark Hartwell (or mah@rri9000.uwo.ca)) (08/09/88)
In article <MRD.88Aug7183127@sun.soe.clarkson.edu>, mrd@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Mike DeCorte) writes: > > I am the exact opposite. ... > My boss sometimes wonders where I am because ... ... > That is why I show up at work about 2pm and leave at 4pm. I come in > to see if anybody need something from me, or I need to ask questions > etc. Most of my work (and all of my productive work) is done late at > night or elsewhere. You have just failed the art of office politics...too bad! In my previous job I used the same philosophy: one really can accomplish more and work about 1 1/2 to 2 times more efficiently after hours and without interruptions. So why waste company time be being inefficient? Backups and system fixes were (of course) done after hours, so as not to inconvenience the end-user. When needed I was always available, and problems ALWAYS got resolved; my motto- the end-user comes first! In fact, I had things so well organized, and fires quelched before the smoke left soot stains all over the President's office, that I got laid off... Why have a Systems Engineer when things run smoothly? Why have someone on the payroll if they are not there when the boss is? Now before I get **flamed** alive, I deep down believe in what you are saying, BUT management can hang you because of it. Make sure they know WHAT you are doing and HOW you are saving them down-time, as well as how EFFICIENTLY you are working. It sounds like office politics but why not? Further comments anyone?