Space Matters - Part 2

As yesterday’s post illustrates, there are times when planning for the future makes best sense when placed on the foundations of the past. Florence Nightingale knew that fresh air and sunlight help heal bodies, without being aware of the scientific evidence that supports her ideas, as provided by the men from Porton-Down. My grandfather’s research was forgotten, only to be replicated by strangers nearly a century later, they emphasised the same findings – that intelligent planning and efficient design can enhance a workplace and the experiences of those within it.

Google's Office in Zurich

Last week’s CIPD hosted event was a powerful illustration of the fact that all of us in work can learn much from others. Leading experts from HR, Facilities Management, L&D and Workplace Strategy came together to debate what the world should look like in the future and hence how the workplace needs to adapt to become fit for purpose. With Neil Usher’s encouragement, supported by able facilitation from David D’Souza (the newly appointed Head of London for the CIPD), Jonny Gifford a respected CIPD research analyst with an interest in work and the work place and Simon Heath, one time COO and Head of Facilities, who is now a talented artistic facilitator and corporate illustrator, the attendees at the event were challenged to list the top ten aspects of a workplace that we felt were required for a “Living Wage Workplace” – i.e. one that provides more than just the basic requirements but is not overly ostentatious or expensive.

Meeting room wallpaper

The group I was with used the room we were in for inspiration. The event was held in the basement function area of a trendy London Hotel, with no windows and shocking pink, in-your-face, highly decorated walls.  It is interesting how much colour can impact how people feel. We were lively. Last weekend I went to visit my family in Somerset. On the Saturday afternoon I agreed to act as chauffeur for my mother and aunt, as they wanted to go on a church crawl. We saw some wonderful buildings, but I was particularly stuck by the vibrant interior of Holy Trinity Church at Long Sutton – a striking contrast to its quite austere exterior. Much of its fifteenth century screen, pulpit and intricate decorations remain intact – they have been painted as they would have been when first constructed.

I can only image the awe inspired by the flamboyant colours, soaring pillars and roof held up by beautifully angels. The ceiling, as you near the altar, is covered in golden stars on a sky-blue background, to indicate the proximity to heaven. The carvings and colours used as a means to make a point and to influence the thinking of the congregation.

The impact of colour and décor should not be underestimated. I hang pictures in my workplace and as a business we share some of the wonderful illustrations made by Simon Heath at various corporate events he has illustrated, as well as artwork belonging to our business that depicts our history and interests. By doing so we make the space our own. People perform better if they feel a personal connection to their work and workplace. Yet, how many employees are trapped in soul-less white or magnolia tinted offices, devoid of fresh air or an identity and sense of belonging?

Belonging and control were the next aspects of modern work that my group at the CIPD event explored. All of us agreed that, increasingly, people expect to have some say in and influence over their environment – be that being able to work with different teams on specific projects (and hence move or rearrange the layout within a physical location as required) or even just being able to change the temperature without it having to be the same for all. We are used to autonomy and personal customisation outside work and so now we expect the same wherever we are. Research is showing that employees perform better when they have choice and control over their space.

 

Skype's HQ in California with moveable furniture

We are living in a time of rapid innovation, with enhanced access to data and hence in theory knowledge. People are able to find answers to questions that previously have been the domain of an educated elite – for example online medical self-diagnosis or the ability to acquire a new skill via self-selected online learning (such as through videos on YouTube or MOOCs). It is this free access to information that will, in my opinion, have a profound impact on the workplace.  As people educate themselves they are likely to become more demanding. As Bacon said in 1597, “with knowledge comes power” and employers should be aware of this. People will expect to have a work environment that fosters employee health and wellbeing. Obesity and exercise are a point in case. As individuals become increasingly aware of the impact of sedentary lives and inappropriate diets they are likely to demand change. I suspect that a growing number of people will see it as an employer’s responsibility to be aware of and protect the health of their workforce. If an employer forces workers to perform in an environment that could be considered unsafe or likely to encourage known medical issues in the future, that employer could become liable, by being deemed irresponsible and having breached the duty of care that is owed to employees.

We discussed the need for exercise and activity whilst at work – to boost thinking and help combat many of the detrimental effects of being inactive for hours in a chair in front of a screen. I quite like the idea of a treadmill desk, although I prefer the option of getting out into the sunshine. The choice will probably up to the employee as to what action they take, but we all agreed that an employer that refuses to provide support in a health and wellbeing related matter would, at the least, be less likely to attract and retain the best of the workforce and at worst could find itself in costly and damaging litigation for negligence. It has happened before...

At the end of the CIPD event, it was gratifying to discover that we touched on most of the aspects of the list that Neil shared with us (although perhaps not with the specific examples I have provided above). Neil’s Top Ten (not in any particular order) are as follows: 

1. Daylight
2. Colour
3. Choice
4. Influence
5. Space
6. Storage
7. Control
8. Connectivity
9. Refresh
10. Wash

I believe that there is one more… As our world continues to change we need be open to amending or adding to the above. One of the banks in The City of London is relocating to a building that is described as the “greenest” building in the Square Mile. It has the largest number of solar panels on a commercial building, a green roof, rainwater harvesting and heat reclaim driven under-floor heating, as well as significant storm drains. Clearly this type of building is not cheap, but it may indicate a prudent approach towards the future or perhaps a return to the past’s attitude of having a greater awareness of our place within our environment. The last of the churches that I visited last Saturday, with my mother and aunt, was the Church of St Peter and St Paul at Muchelney. It became famous during the Somerset floods, when the village of Muchelney was cut off for nearly a fortnight and could only be accessed by boat. The village children had created a summary of “Island Life” that was displayed on the church wall.

The church itself and the older houses stood proud of the water – the architects having taken advantage of a slight rise in ground.

I think Muchelney’s church is an example to us all – its designers and builders were attuned to their environment and hence built their church on higher land to avoid the problems of flooding. We need to be equally aware of what could happen in our futures and design our workspaces accordingly.

Muchelney Church's Barrel Vault ceiling

"Space Matters" - Part One

This is the initial post of a two-part blog about the workplace, inspired by the CIPD HR Leaders’ Network event on the topic.

“Space Matters” wise words from Neil Usher, the head of Workplace at Sky, who was the main speaker at last week’s CIPD HR Leaders’ Network evening.  Late last year I suggested to the CIPD that I bring together a collection of passionate advocates for workplace strategy as, increasingly, I am of the opinion that leaders (both in and outside HR) need to be mindful of the space and surroundings in which we expect people to perform and be productive. 

Selagas Cano Architects office, SpainPhoto by Iwan Baan

Our environment (be that at home or at work) has changed significantly over the past two decade and continues to evolve. Technology, transport, the manner in which we work, collaboration, project-based targets, generational expectations and capabilities – all of these have influenced the requirements and individuals’ expectations of the place in which we work.

Making a place accommodating and pleasant in which to work is certainly important – rudimentary necessities such as clean, accessible lavatories/broader wash room facilities, sufficient air, warmth, drinking water – are indeed a fundamental need. However, there are other quite basic requirements that all too frequently are ignored in deference to cost constraints. Personal, secure storage (especially as “hot desking” is popular, combined with flexible working practices, which often result in a change of clothing as a person moves from one environment to another), employees need somewhere to keep their possessions. 

Communal spaces are important – as Lynda Gratton says in her book Hot Spots, we are at times energetic, positive social animals and will congregate where we find a spark of energy (be that the water cooler, a vending machine, local watering hole or around popular colleague’s desk) if not given an area to meet and mingle we might miss out on enjoying the benefits of a Hot Spot’s energy. Many of our best and innovative ideas come from bouncing problems and concepts off others, not from sitting in isolation in a cubicle or “Brainstorming” at a boardroom table.

Intentional office Hot Spot

Another basic, but often ignored, human requirement is natural light – it is well known from numerous research studies that daylight enhances human health – workers exposed to daylight sleep, on average 46 minutes longer than their natural-light-starved colleagues and sleep has a huge impact of wellbeing, for example reducing stress levels. Yet according to research, by Mental Health Research UK, one in ten workers in the UK have no access to natural light at work and 30% of us leave before dawn and return after dusk during the winter months. 

Screen shot from The Apartment, 1960
No windows, no natural light, no colour, no view, no plants...

We instinctively know that daylight is good for us. SAD afflicts many during the dark winter months and can have serious ramifications – it is usually induced by a prolonged lack of exposure to natural light and yet 46% of European offices provide no natural daylight. Employers have a duty of care to their employees and, knowingly putting people into a situation that is bad for them is wrong. It took us a while to appreciate the harm from smoking and asbestos, I suspect that depriving people of natural daylight will be seen in a similar light in the future (excuse the pun).

De La Rue Technology Centre, Hampshire, UK

Daylight is not to be confused with sunlight. In a modern workplace sunlight can prove problematical, for example by having an adverse impact on heat, especially in offices with large expanses of glass, and the glare can make it hard to work (who hasn’t had problems trying to see a screen in direct sunlight and pulled down the blinds – thereby negating the positive efficacy of access to natural light?). However, these problems are due to our technology and not an individual’s needs. We require sunlight to produce Vitamin D (useful for healthy bones and teeth) and to encourage our bodies to create vital hormones, which regulate the internal clocks that influence our moods, appetites and energy levels. 

Komorebi (Japanese word meaning sunshine through leaves)
with credit to Jo Stephenson

I am writing this post while sitting in the garden – the sound of the birds, the warm sunshine on my skin and the scent of the blossom is wonderful. I can feel myself perking up just by sitting here. Fresh air and sunshine are good. It is proven that wounds heal more swiftly when exposed to daylight and sunshine (Florence Nightingale insisted that her Nightingale Wards had their long sides south facing, with a windows that could be opened between each single bed to let in the sunshine and fresh air - the ensuing Edwardian habit of wheeling the ill (especially those with Tuberculosis) and infirm in their beds out into the sunshine was less misguided than some of us believe.

Bed-ridden patients getting fresh air
City Hospital, early 1900s 
(Photo, City of Edinburgh Museums and Galleries Collection)

It took the threat of biological warfare to encourage two Ministry of Defence scientists, based at Porton-Down in the UK, to undertake research into the effect of sunshine and fresh air on bacteria. Henry Druett and K.R. May were concerned by what would happen if deadly pathogens were exploded over a major city – how long would the microbes remain a threat? To prevent the bacteria being blown away, they wound cobweb around a comb and dusted it with the common gut microbe, Escherichia coli. Some combs were placed in the open air on the rooftop and others placed beside them in a covered container. Much to the scientists’ surprise, the bacteria when exposed to sunshine and fresh air died within two hours, whereas the enclosed samples were still thriving and viable. This research might make us want rethink our attitude towards air conditioning. It is so easy for bacteria or fungi to breed in warm, sheltered spaces. I am aware of a couple of Directors severely poisoned by the unclean air pumped into their offices after aircon filters were not cleaned or replaced for a number of years – one’s lungs were reduced to those of  a 75 year old, despite being in her early 40’s and the other, who was not so swiftly diagnosed, has since not been able to take on full-time employment for nearly a decade. Increasingly employers will be held to account for putting employees’ health at risk.

Often found in Air Conditioning systems

While on the subject of nursing and health – nurses provide a great example as to how sensible workplace design can enhance employee health and wellbeing and also improve patient care. My grandfather, whom I have mentioned in an earlier blog about his involvement in the invention of the iron lung, was a medical professor, based out of Guy’s Hospital in London (which, by coincidence, is one of the hospitals in the Foundation Trust where I have the privilege of being a Governor). Early last century he undertook research into the amount of walking that a nurse does each day and found that over a third of the time spent at work involved walking, with just over half being dedicated to actual patient care. He argued that if you could reduce the amount of time getting to and from patients and the nursing station, pharmacy, etc… there would be more time for care. A similar study in the USA a little earlier this century came up with the same findings. At Guy’s and St Thomas’ we are trying to make the environment better for patients and staff. Simple changes, like moving a facility away from the noise and bustle of the public areas, has resulted in less mistakes and lives have been saved by transferring the intensive care ward from the top floor to closer to A&E at ground level – thereby reducing the time that a patient takes to reach required support and treatment – time wasted in a lift. Changing a workplace for the better does not require specialist knowledge – it just requires the application of common sense and an appreciation of the fact that “space matters”. But be mindful of Winston Churchill's words:

"We shape ours spaces and then they shape us."

Give me an F

This blog post has been written for the Feedback Carnival, “Feedback would happen all the time if…” conceived and curated by Helen Amery.  

Groans and moans, hands over ears and startled looks at your neighbour, perhaps a nervous laugh and, almost certainly, a sense of relief when it’s over – most of us have experienced the screech of feedback from speakers at a concert or via a public address system. I do a lot of video calls and conferencing with colleagues around the world, although the technology is greatly improved from its early days, there are still times when we suffer audio feedback and our voices are echoed, distorted or delayed – and the conversation becomes awkward. Feedback can be tricky.

Mind you, even audio feedback can be good and/or serve a purpose. Lou Reed’s 1975 album, accurately entitled, Metal Machine Music, supposedly was created entirely from feedback. It is not to everyone’s taste, but it was avant-garde and, even if you don’t like it, you can appreciate the influence it has had on others (ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYtzNl48F60). Other, less dissonant, music has relied on feedback for its impact – Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of Wild Thing at the Monterey Festival (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9j9piGxwE4)

Or the Beatles’ I Feel Fine, recorded in October 1964, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZaxUpe9T0Y). This is one of the first instances where feedback was recorded on purpose, with Paul McCartney plucking an A on his bass, while John Lennon stood very close to the amplifier to create an extended “twang” through the pickups.

When Helen suggested that people write a piece on the theme of Feedback, for her carnival, I am sure that she was thinking of feedback within the work environment, not audio feedback, but the concept is the same – people are hesitant or unnerved because it can be painful, unpleasant or difficult and sometimes feedback can be manipulative.

The problem is as much with the receiver as the giver – the manner in which we ask, hear and react to observations, as well as the way in which we are told, is the root as to why feedback is seen as difficult and often avoided.

Audio feedback is caused by issues between the microphone that captures the sound, the amplifier that increases the power or impact of the signal and the speaker that projects the noise at a desired audio frequency. Our brains are a bit like the microphone – the thoughts, comments or reactions to what is being said commence here. Our attitude resembles the amplifier – the mood and emotional reaction that we have will impact the way in which a message is conveyed or received. And finally, the speaker is like the mouth speaking or reacting to the message – the tone, volume and nuances in the way that the feedback is delivered or heard (perceived or actual) are the deciding factor as to how the feedback is received.

In some areas of life feedback is the norm. It is hard to imagine a sportsman or athlete not wishing to improve and hence not listening to feedback. Animal trainers and sports coaches both recommend that feedback is provided as swiftly as possible. My sons still laugh about the sight of their grandmother diving across a room to grab a young cat who had just tried to spray the window – she held its nose close to the liquid dribbling down the window pane and it was clear to all that she was cross. Her much loved and devoted cat, Max, is now an elderly, well-behaved tom – I am sure that he learned “the house rules” because of being given swift feedback as soon as it was appropriate.

Max with his sister Molly

Although feedback at work is often problematical, feedback per se is not the issue. Most of us monitor our behaviour and reactions and provide evaluation to ourselves as either kinaesthetic (internal) feedback – i.e. what you feel during or after practicing a skill or doing something (such as “I hit the ball too hard and hence it travelled too far”) or via external data and observations – this could be verbal comments from a coach, colleague or friend; written information such as on an observation sheet or a training “Happy Sheets”; or else some other external input e.g. visual – such as seeing yourself on video; or knowledge based – from analysing data or results and comparing yourself to others (part of the basis of psychometric testing). As humans we seek feedback and confirmation, as we are often insecure and hence want to understand how we are perceived (witness the success of tests such as this one, which I enjoyed: http://quizly.io/quiz/1671/begin/1 )

Feedback is a constant in so many areas of our lives. Yesterday I had a problem with my mobile – after lengthy discussions with customer service, eventually we sorted the matter out. Within 2 minutes of my ending the call I received a series of texts asking me to rate my experience and to score the provider and their employee’s ability to resolve my problems. This request for feedback is a typical aspect of modern life. Giving and receiving feedback can prove as uncomfortable online as it is offline. Last November a couple were fined £100 for giving a hotel a bad review on Trip Advisor – describing the establishment they had stayed in as a “rotten stinking hovel” - many of us read the story. In our digital world little remains secret for long and many sellers encourage feedback to boost sales, but, just like in the off-line, work environment, some people find criticism hard to take.

However, sometimes feedback is given not so much for the benefit of the receiver but for the delight of a wider audience – witness the customer reviews on many e-tail sites, here are a glorious selection that have amused me:

1       AutoExec Wheelmate Steering Wheel Attachable Work Surface Tray

A novel idea, but completely impractical

By Howyon May 29, 2009:

“Obviously the snake oil salesmen who designed this product don't know much about computers or steering wheels. My first and most notable complaint is that you better be sure you're driving on a straight road when you use it, because it is impossible to turn your steering wheel with this attachment. Maybe, because my car is a foreign model, it doesn't fit, but I honestly cannot even back out of my driveway with this thing on.

If you are lucky enough to have a car where this apparatus can fit safely on the steering wheel, I hope you have a satellite internet card, because there is no way you can pick up wifi in a moving vehicle. Finally, I frankly don't see how the airbag is supposed to work without projecting your computer into your face upon collision.

This thing is a scam, and if you think you can be more productive on your drive to work with it, think again. Just bring a magazine or some papers instead to read on your commute.”

It's very slimming!

By John Grimeson February 7, 2015

“I admit it, I'm a hefty guy. But with the AutoExec, I can comfortably wear those jeans I couldn't even fit into in High School! Before AutoExec, I had a 60" waistline but with AutoExec, I have a svelte 22" waistline for the first time in my life! As an added bonus, I just tap the brakes, and voila! - instant Heimlich manoeuver (tm)!”

2       BiC For Her Medium Ballpoint Pen

Great product!, 3 Sept. 2012 By A keen skier

This review is from: BiC For Her Medium Ballpoint Pen (Box of 12) - Black (Office Product)

“My husband has never allowed me to write, as he doesn't want me touching mens pens. However when I saw this product, I decided to buy it (using my pocket money) and so far it has been fabulous! Once I had learnt to write, the feminine colour and the grip size (which was more suited to my delicate little hands) has enabled me to vent thoughts about new recipe ideas, sewing and gardening. My husband is less pleased with this product as he believes it will lead to more independence and he hates the feminine tingling sensation (along with the visions of fairies and rainbows) he gets whenever he picks it up.”

3       Aluminium Foil

Dreams really can come true, 5 May 2012

By Quitegeist (Bolton, England)  

This review is from: Aluminium Foil 18" (450mm x 75m) - industrial size for your kitchen or professional establishment (Misc.)

In many ways, I was raised by the cinema of the 80s. I was an especially big fan of the film Robocop. "One day," I would think, "I too will be a Robot police officer". As the years went by and I grew older, and the hopeful dreams of my childhood vanished into the distance, I resigned myself to the fact that being a robot was not a realistic life goal and devoted myself with single-minded determination to becoming a law enforcement officer. After years of hard work and sacrifice I was awarded my badge, and with my first police officer wage I decided to treat myself to a few DVDs from Amazon. It was then I saw the product that would change my life forever- Vogue Aluminium Foil.

Thanks to Vogue Aluminium Foil, which measures a hedonistic 75 metres and glistens with the hypnotising shimmer of a moonlit desert oasis caught by a breeze, the dreams of my childhood have now been realised. When I wrap my naked body in this lush, extravagant foil I feel transformed, and I wander the streets, mostly at night, fighting crime. While my official position as a member of the police has been revoked as a direct result of these actions, my current life as a robot vigilante is far more rewarding. Dreams really can come true.

Thankyou, Vogue Aluminium Foil. 5 stars. Highly recommended.

4       Horsehead mask

My Transformation is Complete, December 3, 2012

By ByronicHero

This review is from: Accoutrements Horse Head Mask (Toy)

“It is day 87 and the horses have accepted me as one of their own. I have grown to understand and respect their gentle ways. Now I question everything I thought I once knew and fear I am no longer capable of following through with my primary objective. I know that those who sent me will not relent. They will send others in my place... But we will be ready.”

  

5       Veet Hair Removal Cream  

DO NOT PUT ON KNOB AND BOLLOCKS, 24 Jan. 2012

By Andrew

This review is from: Veet for Men Hair Removal Gel Cream 200 ml (Personal Care)

“Being a loose cannon who does not play by the rules the first thing I did was ignore the warning and smear this all over my knob and bollocks. The bollocks I knew and loved are gone now. In their place is a maroon coloured bag of agony which sends stabs of pain up my body every time it grazes against my thigh or an article of clothing. I am suffering so that you don't have to. Heed my lesson. DO NOT PUT ON KNOB AND BOLLOCKS.

(I am giving this product a 5 because despite the fact that I think my bollocks might fall off, they are now completely hairless.)”

As the above illustrate, the feedback that you give says as much about you as it provides constructive support or advice to the recipient. It all comes down to personal motivations, values and desires. In my opinion, Feedback, that is appreciated and valued, would happen all the time if both parties had the right attitude and intentions.

For the record, I welcome feedback and will take it in the spirit it is intended.