The office is for work

A reporter recently asked me about creative solutions for beating the mid-winter corporate blahs, such as changes to workplace setups like free-range work spaces without offices and cubicles, nap rooms and X-box lounges.

Extreme amenities like video-game lounges are still fairly rare, and this is not necessarily a bad thing.

It’s important to provide a pleasant environment, but let’s not forget that there’s a reason this place you go every day is called “work” and not “fun.” It’s not smart to go so far that you undermine the jobs that people are there to do.

There’s also a danger inherent to jumping on board with any new fad. Free-range office space was all the rage a few years ago, and a lot of companies spent a ton of cash remodeling only to realize that most employees don’t actually like this setup.

I think it’s better for organizations to try to beat the blahs by planning communal activities, motivating employees through rewards, recognition and continuous exposure to new responsibilities and challenges.

–Alexandra Levit is the author of “They Don’t Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something’s Guide to the Business World,” and an authority on workplace issues facing young employees. 

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