What do we really need offices for, in this day and age? We’ve already given up the business suit, the cubicle and reliance on desktop computers. So what’s to say we couldn’t give up the whole concept of a bricks-and-mortar office? When you think about it, cutting it out of the equation could dramatically reduce carbon emissions, because fewer people would need to drive to work. Many people would be less stressed, because they wouldn’t have to deal with commuter traffic, which might ease strain on the health system. Who knows what other untold benefits there might be?
That said, there could also be some significant drawbacks. For starters, most homes aren’t designed to include a full-on office fitout. Specialists Melbourne wide agree that factors such as lighting, ergonomics and technological fittings contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of office workers. It follows that those things contribute to their effectiveness in their roles as well, so maybe we’d see a drop in quality of work.
It probably pans out as much of a muchness, on balance. Some people will work better in a designated office environment external to their place of residence, while others will do better working from home. If that is the case, and if my calculations are correct, then it makes sense to get rid of offices. How do I figure that? Well, if it’s all the same on balance in terms of workplace effectiveness, then we might as well go with the option that cuts down carbon emissions.
Look, I’m just spit-balling here. I’m no office design expert. Melbourne is, however, due for its next evolution in workplace culture, and I’m just putting it out there that this might be it. It’s a logical next step from open-plan offices and hot desks, really, and many companies are already embracing it. Someone just needs to invent a desk lamp that actually works, and we’ll be good to go.