topic 7: environment and work

Question 1

sick building syndrome

Answer 1

collection of nonspecific symptoms including eye, nose and throat irritation, mental fatigue, headaches, nausea dizziness and skin irritations, which seem to be linked with occupancy of certain workplaces.fi

Question 2

five types contributing factors to sick building syndrome

Answer 2

physical contributor (temperature, humidity, ventilation, illuminance level, noise, and air quality), biological contributions (moulds and fungi), chemical contributions (building materials, CO2 concentrations), psychosocial contributions (monotonouns work environment, occupational stress), individual contributions (gender, smoking status, parental asthma).

Question 3

attention restoration theory

Answer 3

suggests that mental fatigue that is associated with a depleted capacity to direct attention may be overcome by spending time in environments rich in natural stimuli.

Question 4

restorative environments must have 4 characteristics

Answer 4

softly fascinating, being away, extent, compatible.

Question 5

new ways of working three elements

Answer 5

timing of work, location of work, facilitated by new media technology.

Question 6

pros open shared workspaces

Answer 6

greater employee satisfaction, projecting an image of being modern and forward thinking, improve flexibility in the use of physical space, enabling closer working relationships, higher productivity, cost-savings

Question 7

cons open shared workspaces

Answer 7

employees may tolerate ambient noise from office equipment, overhearing the conversations of others is a significant task distraction and source of irritation

Question 8

open plan offices and noise experiment conclusions

Answer 8

memory performance declined more in high noise compared to low noise, experienced more tiredness less motivation with high noise, no effect on physiological measures of stress.

Question 9

hotdesking

Answer 9

staff have no fixed personal workspace and use any available desk as needed.

Question 10

job demands of hotdesking

Answer 10

reduced privacy, increased social distraction, negative or emotionally demanding interactions with others

Question 11

resources of hotdesking

Answer 11

more collegial friendships, increased support from managers and others.

Question 12

findings from field-based studies indoor plants results

Answer 12

self-reported physical health improvements, positive evaluations of the work environment, increased self-reported productivity, increased sick leave.

Question 13

teleworking

Answer 13

working at various locations other than the central office, during or outside formal working hours.

Question 14

different views on remote work

Answer 14

focus on autonomy, focus on work-family interface, focus on relational impoverishment at work.