Back in 1992, when the display screen equipment (DSE) regulations were established, the standard office environment was very different from today. Computers were only just starting to become the norm, hence the introduction of the DSE, and were almost exclusively desktops, and phrases such as ‘hot design’ would have been met with as much confusion from the average worker as equations from astrophysics.
Today, though, major change continues. Initially popularised within the start-up sector, where open-plan layouts and breakout spaces were favoured over assigned desks and closed-off offices, the practice and approach of agile working is fast rising up the corporate food chain.
From major law firms such as Baker McKenzie and Shoosmiths to taxi firm Addison Lee, the list of household names adopting agile working shows no sign of letting up. The impact of the trend was also highlighted at this year’s BIFM Awards, with banking firm UBS and pharmaceutical and healthcare products giant Johnson & Johnson each winning awards, owing in large part to their successes in moving to an agile approach to office working. In the case of J&J, staff feedback on their Workplace Experience Strategy showed that 88 per cent believed that the changes had increased their productivity while at work.
With such benefits frequently being reported by those who adopt the approach, the trend will almost certainly to continue to grow, but alongside those benefits will come challenges.
One challenge that will almost certainly fall at the feet of those in FM is how to adapt and implement the DSE regulations and the other ergonomic workplace principles they have inspired to fit the demands and requirements of agile working.