Make offices greener and more fun places

AS technology allows greater flexibility and younger generations become more concerned about how “green” their employers are, organisations are transforming the way they arrange their space.

The MD of recruitment firm Manpower South Africa, Lyndy van den Barselaar, says millennials, who have been brought up on mobile technology and are fluent in social media, are concerned about climate change and sustainability and want to work in places that reflect their ideals.

She suggests considering the following areas when wanting to transform your work space:

Create spaces that can be used by different employees at different times in place of designated desks. This includes incorporating social spaces in office buildings. “This style of working . . . allows employees the freedom to choose their work space for the day . . . making it easier for them to work together and interact socially with one another,” says Van den Barselaar;

Flexibility. Furniture and even “walls” that are easy to shift around are replacing built-in pieces. “This allows the space to be rearranged when necessary and on a whim. A flexible space also appeals to the idea of creativity”;

The use of more environmentally friendly products, including building materials. Try to use recycled material and less energy and eliminate paper;

Create alternative writing spaces. “This trend has seen the introduction of entire walls painted to act as whiteboards, or desks painted with chalk paint”; says Van den Barselaar; and

Fun, quirky design — and not only in “arty” industries. This brings an element of fun to the office and can “stimulate the creative mindset of employees”, she says. — Margaret Harris