The word office is from a Latin word officium.
It can be defined as the workspace.
People use different words to define it but in the end, the meaning is the same.
Some define it as a room where people work whereas others define it as a location where people who do white collar jobs are employed.
Its size depends on the number of people who carry out their duties in it.
A large organization is bound to have big workrooms whereas small organizations have small workrooms.
This structure is of importance to the organization since it provides employees with working space where they can carry out their duties efficiently and with ease.
It is also in these rooms that the organization holds meetings, organizational rules and regulations are formulated and important organizational decisions are made.
They also help separate the different professionals in the work place where employees in the same field of work are put in departments.
This enhances co-ordination in the work place.
The workspaces in an office take different forms depending on the activities that take place in them.
These forms include: a) Open workspace This type of workspace has more than ten employees in it.
These may be employees from one department in the organization.
It is suitable where routine activities which require little concentration are carried out, and a lot of communication and consultation needs to be done while working.
b) Private workspace This is the workspace for one person.
It is suitable where a lot of concentration is required while working and the work done is of a confidential nature.
This type of workspace is popular with company CEOs and top managers.
c) Team space This is also referred to as team room.
It is usually for four to ten people mostly for those doing teamwork.
It is suitable for this group since the team members require to communicate and the type of work maybe confidential.
d) Work lounge This workspace usually holds two to six people.
It is suitable for short-term activities that require collaboration and instant interaction.
e) Touch down It is an open workspace usually for one person.
The person can carry out short- term activities, which require low concentration and minimum interaction.
f) Study booth It is an enclosed workspace for one person.
This type is suitable where the person needs to concentrate and the work done is confidential in nature.
Jobs of short-term nature are carried out in this workspace.
g) Meeting rooms These workspaces are where organization meetings are held.
The size of meeting rooms vary depending on the size of the organization with large organizations having big meeting rooms and small organizations having relatively smaller ones.
They are used where intensive brainstorming is required.