Are you providing enough space for your employees?

In Canada, a few resources go there with their recommendations:

• The Treasury Board of Canada proposes a space of 7.5 m2 (80.7 ft2);
• Public Works and Government Services Canada recommends a workspace area of ​​8.3 m2 (89.3 ft2);
• The more generous National Building Code of Canada recommends a workspace of 9.3 m2 (approximately 100 ft2) per occupant.

Who says true and who says false? To answer this seemingly simple question more clearly, it is important to consider the following:

Nature of the work

If most of the working day consists of tasks that take place outside the office, a smaller workspace can be an attractive solution. On the other hand, for employees who spend most of their time sitting at their workstation, a small space can become a source of discomfort because of the feeling of isolation.

Cultural aspects

Culture influences our perception of sufficient workspace. For example, someone from a country with a higher population density is likely to find the work space perceived as adequate and sufficient for a North American to be too large. In a multicultural society like Canada, it therefore becomes important to pay particular attention to these details.

Work structure and perception

In the workplace, space is often linked to the position held within an organization. This is why employees generally accept that their presidents or directors benefit from larger offices. This is also why some employees will seek to occupy more space, since this gain usually means more respect, importance and authority.

Physical dimensions of the human body

Workspace needs also depend on the size and build of each of your employees. They must be able to move about freely and safely and carry out their tasks. Of course, a spacious office is always more pleasant, but it is not always necessary.