TOP 7 PPE CLOTHING FOR SAFETY

As an employer, you are in charge of a safe and healthy working environment for your employees. You are familiar with the safety risks within your sector, as well as the measures you can take to counteract these risks.

WHAT IS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)?

PPE means personal protective equipment or equipment you use to guarantee your (own) safety.

Use PPE always and anywhere where necessary. Observe the instructions for use, maintain them well and check regularly if they still offer sufficient protection. But when do you use what type of protection?

These 7 tips will help you on your way.

1. SAFETY FOR THE HEAD

safety

Wearing a helmet offers protection and can prevent head injuries. Select a sturdy helmet that is adapted to the working conditions. These days you can find many elegant designs and you can choose extra options such as an adjustable interior harness and comfortable sweatbands.

2. PROTECT YOUR EYES

protect eyes

The eyes are the most complex and fragile parts of our body. Each day, more than 600 people worldwide sustain eye injuries during their work. Thanks to a good pair of safety glasses, these injuries could be prevented. Do you come into contact with bright light or infrared radiation? Then welding goggles or a shield offer the ideal protection!

3. HEARING PROTECTION

hearing

Do you work in an environment with high sound levels? In that case it is very important to consider hearing protection. Earplugs are very comfortable, but earmuffs are convenient on the work floor as you can quickly put these on or take them off.

4. MAINTAIN A GOOD RESPIRATION

respiration

Wearing a mask at work is no luxury, definitely not when coming into contact with hazardous materials. 15% of the employees within the EU inhale vapours, smoke, powder or dusk while performing their job. Dust masks offer protection against fine dust and other dangerous particles. If the materials are truly toxic, use a full-face mask. This adheres tightly to the face, to protect the nose and mouth against harmful pollution.

5. PROTECT YOUR HANDS WITH THE RIGHT GLOVES

protection

Hands and fingers are often injured, so it is vital to protect them properly. Depending on the sector you work in, you can choose from gloves for different applications:

protection against vibrations

protection against cuts by sharp materials

protection against cold or heat

protection against bacteriological risks

protection against splashes from diluted chemicals.

protection against splashes from diluted chemicals.

6. PROTECTION FOR THE FEET

feet protection

Even your feet need solid protection. Safety shoes and boots are the ideal solution to protect the feet against heavy weights. An antiskid sole is useful when working in a damp environment, definitely if you know that 16,2% of all industrial accidents are caused by tripping or sliding. On slippery surfaces, such as snow and ice, shoe claws are recommended. Special socks can provide extra comfort.

7. WEAR THE CORRECT WORK CLOTHING

work clothing

Preventing accidents is crucial in a crowded workshop. That is why a good visibility at work is a must: a high-visibility jacket and pants made of a strong fabric can help prevent accidents. Just like the hand protection, there are versions for different applications.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

Prevention is better than cure. A smart thing is to be prepared for the worst. A classic first-aid kit is no luxury but a first-aid kit for the eyes can also be an essential first aid. If the employee comes into contact with chemicals, a safety shower is mandatory, so that he can rinse the substances off his body at any moment.

pictograms

SO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

The above-mentioned tips are simple and easily applicable to your working environment. Correctly observing the safety requires little effort, but it can have a big influence on your health.

Call us on 021 4277841 to stock up on your PPE supplies or email sales@ronniemoore.ie

Benefits of Office Meeting Booths and Pods!

Meeting booths and pods have become a staple of the modern workplace, across a whole variety of sectors and industries. It’s not just about kitting your office out with the latest products though. In this blog post, we want to highlight some of the main benefits of this type of micro work setting including:

Better privacy

Improved wellbeing

Lower stress levels

A boost in concentration

Supporting confidentiality

Combating excess noise (acoustic pods)

What are office meeting pods used for?

Well, the clue is in the name really. This type of product is used to create a meeting area within a workplace which most likely isn’t as big or executive as a boardroom. It provides somewhere where one or multiple employee(s) can go to get away from their work area if and when the task calls for it.

That said, there are actually many other uses for meeting pods alongside meetings. These include individual focus or concentration, somewhere to take private phone calls or as a rejuvenation space where staff can go to recharge and refresh.

Basically, it’s all about creating a micro-environment within the wider ecosystem of work settings which gives users a place where they can go to find space, quiet, privacy or distraction-free focus. So, as meeting pods have become more commonplace in modern working environments, they’re also becoming increasingly versatile.

The different types of meeting booth:

Meeting booths or pods can come in all shapes and sizes these days, with sheds and telephone boxes being some of the most popular design inspirations. As product development advances and the marketplace offers more choices, we’re seeing a diverse choice between things like:

Classic standalone upholstered meeting booths

Floor to ceiling glass miniature meeting rooms

Soundproof phonebox style pods commonly known as acoustic pods

Semi-shielded meeting areas which offer a certain level of visual cover and noise cancellation

Providing more privacy

One of the main issues that have come to light as experts start to predict a decline in open plan working is a lack of privacy. A huge 95% of workers say they need quiet, private spaces yet 41% say they don’t have access to them – this type of facility is the ideal way to accommodate this without having to break the bank or cause any disruption.

Combating excess noise with acoustic pods

Another issue which has reared more prolifically since open plan offices become more popular is the issue of excess noise. Many meeting pods and booths are now manufactured using acoustic materials which help absorb unwanted background sound.

Improving concentration and productivity

We get distracted every 11 minutes and 25% of lost time is due to distractions in or near work areas. Providing a place where people can go to escape visual and audio disruptions will help keep concentration and productivity in order.

Lowering stress levels and bettering wellbeing

Creating a work setting which is designed in response to common workplace issues is an effective way to improve employee experience and job satisfaction. Motivation levels and workplace positivity will be higher and stress levels will be lower.

Making sure confidentiality is covered

The Privacy Crisis we mentioned earlier is not only detrimental to concentration, productivity and stress levels, it can also mean confidentiality is compromised. An enclosed and acoustically-enhanced meeting pod is an effective solution to this problem.

Relatively simple and affordable

The cost of an office fit out or refurbishment can be pretty hefty, especially if it involves structural changes. A meeting booth or pod enables you to create a self-sufficient work setting within the wider workplace for much less money and much less hassle.

Call us on 021 4277841 to get more information on the meeting booths and pods we supply or email sales@ronniemoore.ie


Why choose HSM as your shredder brand!!

A common mistake that buyers make is purchasing a shredder that does not meet their needs, i.e. a shredder that cannot cope with the quantity of paper to be shredded, that can’t shred other media, that doesn’t offer continuous run and that generally isn’t robust enough.  Other questions that need to be considered are: is a cross-cut shredder or a micro cut shredder required?  What security level is needed to reflect the information being destroyed that will keep the business secure?  Are you shredding confidential and sensitive data? How many users will be using the shredder?

From experience, buyers tender to underestimate the number of pages that they shred.  When there is a good shredder in the office, it will generally get used more and more, and it’s good practice nowadays to have a ‘shred-all policy’ to ensure and maintain office security. You can read more about how to maintain a secure office here.

Often buyers purchase a personal shredder when in fact what would best suit them is an office shredder, a large office shredder or a department shredder.  HSM differ from other shredder brands in that they offer, what is known as, ‘continuous run’, i.e. you can keep using them throughout the day. They are not going to stop and overheat, thereby avoiding any interruption to your workflow.  If performance, productivity and time management are important in your business, then having a shredder that is fit for purpose is important.

Let’s have a look at some of the filters you need to consider when buying a shredder to ensure that you are making the right investment.

Scope of Application – Where will the shredder be used?

The first thing to consider when buying a new shredder is where it will be used.

This may be a home or small office.  It may be a larger office, or indeed a whole department.  Small personal shredders are ideal for individual users when handling confidential information and are designed for light usage.

Our small office and home office shredders are ideal for 1-3 users who handle confidential information.  These include the  HSM Shredstar X10, HSM Securio C14, HSM Securio C16 and HSM Securio C18 models.

For small to medium offices, the  HSM Securio B24, HSM Securio B26 and HSM Securio B32 are ideal for 5-7 users.

Commercial grade shredders are ideal for large offices with multiple users, feature continuous run times for non-stop shredding and are engineered for heavy usage. This range includes the HSM Securio B34 and HSM Securio B35 which are ideal for up to 8-14 users.

For professional and departmental usage, i.e. 15 users upwards, we recommend the HSM Securio P36i, HSM Securio P40i or the HSM Securio P44i.

There are essentially three main types of cuts available when purchasing a document shredder.

Strip-cut:This is a basic security shredding solution for documents with low confidentiality needs providing the minimum level of security. Strip-cut machines shred each A4 sheet into approximately 36 strips, based on a 5.8mm cut-size width. Please note that this is not a GDPR compliant solution and is the equivalent of a P-2 security level.

Cross-cut:Enhanced security for highly confidential documents. This is generally classed as a P-4 cross-cut machine that shreds each A4 sheet into approximately between 300 and 400 particles. Choose a cross-cut shredder when needing to shred confidential documents in the home or the office.  This option is GDPR compliant for many offices, but again the correct choice, depends on the confidentiality of the documentation to be shredded.

Micro-cut:Superior security for highly confidential documents and even greater peace of mind. Also referred to as DIN P-5, a micro-cut machine shreds each A4 sheet into over 2000 particles making them virtually impossible to reassemble. Choose a micro-cut shredder when needing to shred highly confidential documents such as bank statements or employee records.  Micro-cut shredders have a security range from P-5, P-6 to P-7.

For greater security needs, a micro-cut shredder is the best choice as it offers a higher security level and with it, peace of mind. A shredder with a credit card adaptation to it can also be purchased if you need to destroy more than just paper. Also, if you are buying a paper shredder for use at home, buyers would need to consider safety features, for safe use around children and pets.

Material to be Shredded

Consider if there are items other than paper that will need to be shredded.  Any medium that stores documentation and sensitive data should be considered within this scope.  This might include:Heavy paper/cardboard

CD/DVD

Credit card

Floppy disk

Paper

Staples and paper clips

USB stick

Paper to be Shredded

It’s important to look at the datasheet of the machine you feel will work in your office. The datasheets show the quantity of paper that can go through the cutter at any one time, based on 70gsm paper and 80gsm paper. The thicker the paper, the less sheets that can go through the cutter at any one time, so if speed and performance are factors in your choice, then choose a heavier duty document shredder, as it directly correlates to the strength of the motor in the document shredder.

Other Considerations for Choosing a Shredder:What is your budget?

Does it need to be on wheels?

Is there room for it beside the printer/photocopier, as this is the best location for it to be?

Is there a plug point in the desired home for your new shredder?

Do you have different floors in your building and will you require more than one machine?

Different areas of your business may need different security levels? Do you know what is appropriate per division in your business?

Have you considered safety around children and pets if you are locating your shredder in a home environment?

Do you want to have the shredder drop-shipped directly to your office or for it to be delivered and installed on your behalf?

Would you like to buy the shredder or are you interested in a lease plan in order to finance the purchase?

Do you need a service & maintenance contract on your shredder?

If you need a quote on a shredder you can call us on 021 4277841 to discuss some of the products featured or email sales@ronniemoore.ie

How To Adjust Your Office Chair | 6 Easy Steps

Your sitting posture has a significant effect on your health, so it pays to invest in a chair which will give correct support while being comfortable.

The seat should match and support your entire body. Follow these steps to find the maximum health benefits from your office chair.

These steps will improve your posture and prevent lower back pain resulting in the perfect posture.

Posture Chair Seat Height Diagram

1. Adjust the chair height

The lever for this is usually on the right with up and down arrows. Set the chair height so that the underside of your elbows are at desk height. If you are using an adjustable standing desk, set the chair to the most comfortable height then adjust the desk to elbow height.

Ergonomic Seating Back Height Diagram

2. Ensure your feet are firmly on the floor

Sit well back into the seat & check your feet are firmly on the floor. The Appropriate foot support is essential for low back comfort and maintaining a good posture. If your feet aren’t firmly flat on the floor, a footrest will be needed to improve your posture.

A footrest will help in attaining the right foot elevation, leg and knee position.

Ergonomic Workstation Back Angle

3. Adjust the Chair angle

An ergonomic office chair allows the seat to be adjusted horizontally or slightly angled. Usually, the lever for this is on the right toward the back.

Sitting with the seat horizontal or sloping backward provides a comfortable, relaxing sitting position while maintaining good posture. It can nevertheless tilt you slightly away from your desk. Sitting on a slight angle in a forward position toward the desk relieves pressure under the thighs, provides a more open hip angle and improves the back posture.

Posture Chair Chair Tilt

4. Adjust the backrest angle

The lever for adjusting the backrest angle is usually on the right, showing backward and forwards arrows. When working in an ergonomic workstation a fairly upright sitting posture is best. When talking, at meetings or reading off the screen reclining the backrest is relaxing and provides a nice change for the back.

Ergonomic Seating Back Height Diagram

5. Adjust the backrest height

A comfortable computer chair has a well-shaped backrest cushioning. The most protruding part of this cushioning should fit into the low back – about waist level.

The Backrest height adjustments are all different. You may need to loosen a lever or knob at the base of the backrest. If there is no knob or lever you must have a ratchet style adjustment. These allow adjustments simply by pulling upwards one click at a time. Once the backrest reaches the top position it will drop to the bottom starting position again.

Posture Office Chair Arm Rest

6. Adjust the armrest height

Armrests create poor posture if they stop an individual from sitting as close to the desk as they would like. If the armrests can adjust, position them so that they fit under the desk. This ensures nothing stops you from sitting close and working with arms relaxed.

 

 

 

Call us on 021 4277841 or email sales@ronniemoore.ie to discuss some of the ergonomic chairs we supply!!

Is it time for a new Office Photocopier??

Copiers go a long way toward making your office more productive, so if the copier is not working, that means office productivity can suffer as a result. In some cases, you may be able to just repair the copier and move on with it continuing to operate as normal. However, there are some circumstances in which the copier may be beyond repair, or in which it does not make sense to put the necessary amount of money into repairing the device.

Here are some of the signs that you might just be better off replacing the equipment than seeking copier repair.

 

It’s frequently breaking down: If your copier seems like it’s broken more often than not, then the problem is either that the person repairing the machine is incompetent or that the machine is simply past its useful life. The latter is much more likely to be the case, though it certainly can’t hurt to try another service company before investing in a brand-new machine.

 

It’s an old machine: Eventually all copiers will reach the end of their useful life. If the machine has been running for nearly a decade and just isn’t performing the way it used to or needs to for your operations, it’s probably about time for you to upgrade to a new machine. The money you’d spend on servicing the equipment will ultimately cost more than the machine is worth. Compare this to a situation in which you’re having problems with a copier that’s just a couple years old—it makes much more sense to pay for repairs in that scenario.

 

It’s wasting energy: Analyze how much energy your copier uses. In today’s world of energy-efficient appliances and cost cutting in terms of utilities, it makes sense to try to find a copier that does not take nearly as much energy to run. Keep in mind that your copier is going to be used over and over again throughout the course of the day. If it’s sucking up too much energy, that’s going to add up very quickly to a whole lot of wasted money. Therefore, you should replace your old machine with an energy-efficient one that can save you money in the long run.

 

It’s no longer operating well: Even if the copier is “working,”  you may want to replace it if the quality of the documents you print do not hold up to their previous standards. If you find yourself passing along blurry documents or documents that have not fully printed, that could make your business look unprofessional.

 

It’s capable of being hacked: If your copier simply does not have proper security measures for today’s environment, it is possible that cyber criminals could access your network and reach information stored in the copier, which could include some potentially sensitive information. It’s worth replacing an old copier with a copier that has higher levels of security.

 

 

 

Give us a call on 021 4277841 for more information on our RICOH photocopiers !!

 

Benefits of a RICOH Photocopier!!

Unquestionable benefits

A good quality office photocopier is an invaluable investment, and with the right servicing, one that will last for many years.

The benefits it may bring include:

 

–        Fast copy speed. A standalone office copier will have a much higher ppm (pages per minute) rating than a multi-function photocopier, with high end models reaching over 90 pages per minute.

 

–        Low printing cost per page. The photocopy machine may be expensive in the first place, but per page, the cost of copying is very low, especially in the case of laser printers.

 

–        Durable. This type of office copier is designed to withstand very heavy use, making it the best choice for businesses that need daily copying.

 

–        Document finishing features, such as binding, sorting and stapling. These features are far less common and less durable in multi-function photocopiers.

 

–        Excellent functionality. Because standalone copiers are designed to do just that, copy, they are extremely fit for purpose. This means that they can cater for complex copy needs, such as duplex printing, different paper sizes, paper thicknesses and alignments.

 

–        Multitasking features. The best photocopy machines, connected to several workstations, can do multiple jobs at the same time for different users.

 

–        They’re easy to use and control with large, clear display panels.

 

–        No need to connect the photocopier to a desktop so that it can start making copies, although it can work as a printer or scanner should the need arise.

 

–        Inbuilt memory means that documents can be backed up for quick access and amendments.                                          

 

Give us a call on 021 4277841 for more information on our RICOH photocopiers !!

 

Benefits of Folding Tables!!

There are multiple advantages to folding tables. These versatile and flexible furnishings are not only a perfect solution where space is a factor, but also an easy option where storage limitations are concerned.

Read our folding tables buying guide to understand the many benefits of this adjustable furniture and to discover some of the superior options on offer for purchase.

 

 

Adaptability and flexibility

 

Folding tables are a flexible option when you need furniture that is able to fit a variety of different spaces. Being able to adapt the size of your table to fit your needs can be a particularly helpful asset and its versatility means you’re likely to keep it for years.

Where available space is an important factor, the capability to fold your table away can be highly beneficial, allowing you to make the most of your room when the furniture is no longer required.

Being able to set up tables for a monthly meeting and then collapse them when they are no longer required, for example, allows you to conveniently adjust your setup as needed with minimal fuss.

 

 

 

 

Storage, transportation and deployment

 

Folding tables are incredibly simple to store. Where storage space itself is restricted, folding furniture allows you to maximize what room you do have at your disposal.

Furniture that can fold up flat is also supremely easy to move from storage to locations where it is required. Many folding tables feature lockable wheels as well which can facilitate their efficient transit. Folding tables are extremely easy to set up too, taking a matter of seconds to erect.

 

 

 

A versatile selection of folding tables

 

Folding tables come in a multitude of designs and styles and are freely available in a wide selection of shapes and sizes. From metal and plastic to wood finishes, like maple and oak, there are many different materials used for different looks and feels. Find the fold away furniture that best suits your individual needs by perusing some of our standout options available.

 

 

Photos are linked to our website and you can call us on 021 4277841 to discuss how we can help with fitting out your office or leave a comment below.

How to Take Care of Your Copier!!

Your office copier is one of the most important tools in your company’s arsenal. When it is down, your work comes to a grinding halt.

Knowing how to properly care for your copier is one of the most important parts of running an efficient business.

Here are some tips from our experts at Ronnie Moore Ltd.

 

1. Shut it off

Shutting off your copier is the easiest copier maintenance tip to perform. Sometimes we overlook the simplest maintenance tasks.

You can prolong the life of your copy machine by shutting it off at night and on weekends. By flipping the off button, you will also save money on electric bills.

 

 

2. Warm it up

Your copier needs warm-up time before it is ready for its daily workout. If you turn off your copy machine for the weekend, when you turn it back on give it time to warm up. If it has been shut down, it probably will undergo a calibration exercise.

Remember, repeatedly hitting the “copy” button will not speed the process. Allow the calibration mode to finish its important work.

 

 

 

3. Clean the glass

Making your copier a clean machine is another simple copier maintenance chore. Do you have those annoying streaks on your copies? How about those vexing pinhead sized dots or gray blobs?

These unsightly marks can be avoided just by cleaning the glass on your copier. And don’t forget about the document feeder, which needs cleaning also. Today’s copiers often have one or two thin strips of glass on the feeder. You’ll need to wipe them clean occasionally to prevent marks on your copies.

You can clean your copier glass with a standard glass cleaner. However, NEVER spray the glass with the cleaning fluid because it could make its way into the machines operational electronics. Instead, spray a cloth with cleanser.

 

 

4. Use better paper

When you think of paper problems, you probably think of paper jams. First, let’s focus on a seldom thought-about paper problem: paper dust.

If you’re not a copier technician, you’re probably not aware that paper dust can build up inside your machine and cause image quality problems.

Recycled paper and lower quality paper gives off more dust. Although a lower paper price might be attractive, buying better quality paper could save you money in the long run.

 

 

 

 

5. Load paper correctly

There is not a copy machine on this planet which has not experienced a paper jam. Or a copier user who has not faced the frustrating task of trying to clear the jam. With a little patience, many paper jams are a preventable copier maintenance problem.

If you want to avoid jams, it is critical to load paper properly. Most people are in a rush and just shove paper into the tray without a lot of forethought.

Copier maintenance experts suggest that you initially take a half of a ream (package) of paper and place it into the tray.

Although the top sheets may seem properly arranged, the bottom sheets may have shifted to the side, which will cause a jam when the machine lifts the paper. So make sure the paper is in a tight stack and evenly aligned.

Another helpful copier maintenance hint is to fan the paper to make sure no sheets are stuck together. Sometimes glue from the packaging process causes the top sheets to stick together, which will cause a jam.

Two other issues discussed above – cleanliness and paper quality – also are relevant when it comes to paper jamming. Paper dust and dirty paper trays can cause jams. Do not overload the paper trays or a jam could occur.

Many copier paper trays are built to accommodate a package of paper (500 sheets).  This may not seem important, but it actually helps you avoid paper jams caused by overloaded trays.

 

 

 

6. Empty waste toner

Have you ever gotten that error code warning you that your waste toner reservoir is full (or near full)? Ignore that warning and your copier will eventually stop running. Did you know that toner replacement is a copier maintenance task you can do yourself?

You can order a waste toner bottle just as easy as ordering toner. All you need to do is switch out the bottles.

 

 

 

 

7. Know when to check with IT

If your printer slows down or stops completely and you receive an error code, you might need to call in a technician for copier maintenance or repair. However, you may be able to fix the problem faster by checking with your IT staff. The problem could be a network connection problem and not a mechanical malfunction.

Copier maintenance hint: if you can still make a copy, but you can’t complete a print job from your computer, it’s likely a network problem.

 

If you are looking for a professional team to service and maintain your copiers, contact Ronnie Moore Ltd on 021 4277841. We will provide you with prompt, reliable service to help keep your office running at its best.

 

 

Office Furniture Ideas that are Employee Focused!!

Well-designed and well-furnished offices help companies to boost the morale of their employees, which positively impacts the outcome of the business.

For this reason, organisations have started furnishing their workplaces in consideration of the numerous factors that define the trends in today’s furniture industry, as outlined below:

 

Quality:

 

Quality is an important factor and should not be overlooked while purchasing furniture for your business. Investing in quality furniture now will prevent the company from having to spend money on repairing or replacing broken furniture in the future. Ronnie Moore Ltd offers quality furniture across the whole range from desks and folding office tables to chairs and storage items in a variety of options.

 

 

Comfort:

 

Nowadays, many organisations are choosing to invest in comfortable and ergonomically designed furniture ranges as this type of furniture helps in reducing stress placed on the body and, subsequently, in maintaining employees’ well-being. Improved physical well-being can result in reduced absenteeism and better efficiency at work. In order to improve employee comfort levels, companies can purchase products such as ergonomic fabric office chairs, 24 hours chairs, lumbar support chairs, ergonomic desks, and anti-fatigue matting.

 

 

 

 

Aesthetics:

 

Stylish and well-furnished workplaces can also impact the productivity and motivation levels of employees in a positive way. Thus, aesthetics should be considered an important factor for organisations while in the planning stages of furnishing their workplace. Ronnie Moore Ltd offers a wide variety of furniture online in many styles, colours and finishes to suit any design and atmosphere the company is looking to create.

 

 

 

 

Mobility:

 

Given the increasing popularity of a collaborative approach at work, open offices are becoming the preferred choice of many organisations, leading to the rise of mobile furniture that is easy to move around. Chairs and desks with wheels help staff to move around the workplace more easily, allowing employees to collaborate more with a variety of different people.

 

 

 

Adjustability:

Along with comfort and mobility, furniture should also provide simple and quick adjustability so that staff can find the most comfortable working position for their body type as conveniently as possible. Height adjustable tables and chairs encourage employees to sit with the correct posture. Staff with height adjustable desks can also choose to stand and work, giving them a chance to stretch their legs and change position.

 

 

 

Photos are linked to our website and you can call us on 021 4277841 to discuss how we can help with fitting out your office or leave a comment below.

How to save your Open Plan Office with HushHubs!!

While the open-layout floor plan has become a go-to trend both locally and nationally, many skeptics question whether this style of design is the most beneficial for long-term organizational growth. With the potential for distractions and a significant lack of privacy, many believe that the cons outweigh the pros.

 

This shift to an open-plan office came in response to the changing views of the traditional business model, as companies are now placing more value on employee engagement and team synergy in efforts to improve workplace productivity.

Supporters of the open-layout office claim that with no dividing panels or separated rooms, communication barrier and hierarchical barriers are broken down and the remaining workspace is an environment that facilitates the exchange of ideas, encourages teamwork and inspires creativity among employees.

But lot of companies are now regretting there Open Plan office ideas but don’t want to completely redo their office.

 

Before we give you the solution to this issue we have listed the top reasons why open plan offices may not work for your business.

 

CONS

 

High noise levels can disrupt workflow and concentration

 

The most convincing argument against the open-plan office is that it increases the potential for interruptions that can interfere with daily work. It can be difficult for team members to focus when a group of 30 other coworkers are talking near them, especially when the conversations aren’t about work.

 

Instead of talking about the upcoming work meeting, for example, employees might be tempted to discuss the latest episode of “Game of Thrones,” negatively impacting productivity for themselves and everyone around them. Research has backed up this concern: In 2011, organizational psychologists with the University of Leeds reviewed over 100 studies on office settings and discovered that open office layouts increase disruptions, lower concentration and can even demotivate the entire workforce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Privacy is compromised 

 

Another downside to the open-layout floor plan is the lack of privacy for team members. Since employees often share space at a large table with groups of coworkers, they generally won’t have a private office, a personal desk or even dividing partitions to shield them from the eyes of colleagues.

This makes it difficult to have personal conversations or a brief moment of solitude.

 

 

 

 

Stress-inducing environment

 

While a benefit of an open office layout is the ability to accommodate company growth by fitting more people, its associated con is that too many people can be packed into one area, resulting in an overcrowded workspace.

For introverted team members or for those who have just joined the company and don’t yet feel part of the group, this crowd can be overwhelming. Employees can also feel as if supervisors are constantly looking over their shoulders and judging their work, which can lead to higher amounts of pressure and stress.

 

 

 

Our Solution!!

 

Acoustic Pods – The Next Generation

 

They are designed with the biophilic idea of a return to the natural world as its basis: using high quality wood, glass, fabrics, laminates and paints to create a multi-purpose space where people can gather and communicate, teach and learn, think and concentrate. They highlight a return to basics, providing light, space and privacy.

 

 

 

Hushhubs are a range of timber framed acoustic meeting rooms or hubs, plus ancillary acoustic products, for use in open plan offices and other places which need private space within a larger area. The beauty of the Hushhub and the different hub sizes available is that they can be adapted and customised to fit your any office requirements, creating multiple working zones in one place. Improved acoustics in the workplace environment also leads to improved productivity and employee well-being.

 

 

 

 

Hushhubs stand out from the crowd because they are inspired by the natural world around us. More than just an acoustic pod, Hushhubs take office design and noise reduction within offices to the next level. Acoustic office meeting rooms don’t get better any than this!

 

 

Photos are linked to our website and you can call us on 021 4277841 to discuss how we can help with fitting out your office or leave a comment below.