https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1 How would we like our office space to function in the near future, post lockdown? What are your thoughts, suggestions and concerns? en-us 2021-02-18 11:02:06 UTC 2025-12-24 00:14:35 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/422527975/d890ec32e5c1cb472e2c052f171ceacb/3D36__2_.jpg https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215814699 2021-02-18 16:02:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215814699 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215829685 2021-02-18 16:06:04 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215829685 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215839570 2021-02-18 16:08:12 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215839570 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215853654 2021-02-18 16:11:22 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215853654 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215935183 If hot desking becomes the norm, it would be good if a locker was available for everyone for the odd bits and bobs that you'd usually keep on your desk. I know some currently have lockers, but for those that don't (I think the missing keys for a number of lockers mystery hasn't been solved yet :) )

]]> 2021-02-18 16:28:32 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1215935183 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1216062414 The availability of meeting rooms for 1-1 / small confidential spaces could be expanded. To allow for blended working, I think small confidential spaces would be useful, as these could be used for confidential 1-1s via Teams, i.e. when one staff member is remote and one on campus. 3D35 would work, but that could be required more for in person 1-1 meetings, and may actually be more space than required for a 1-1 Teams meeting.]]> 2021-02-18 16:55:27 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1216062414 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1216088435 We will probably be required to wear PPE for quite a while longer, so a location in the office to store this would be useful for staff.]]> 2021-02-18 17:01:13 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1216088435 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225981430 If hot desking, I think a move to stand alone desk space would be much better (in a similar style to those on level 5 which are more booth like with dual screens. This would allow users to concentrate, keep area clean and clear and maintain social distancing in the longer term making a much healthier environment. 

]]> 2021-02-22 11:52:50 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225981430 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225989288 Improved hygiene is needed.
Running water is essential and something that has been lacking in the level 3 office.]]> 2021-02-22 11:55:46 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225989288 janechoules1 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225992391 2021-02-22 11:57:00 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225992391 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225993482 Some fixed PCs are needed for those that have to come to work in the office due to failure of laptops etc.
A mixture of docking stations and fixed PCs could work well for bookable desk space]]> 2021-02-22 11:57:27 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225993482 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225998091 I would like to see desks well spaced out and not facing each other.]]> 2021-02-22 11:59:06 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225998091 janechoules1 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225998434 2021-02-22 11:59:14 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1225998434 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1226163738 I would prefer to have a fixed desk, for mental health reasons. Even before the pandemic I have always worked more effectively and with less anxiety in a stable space that's mine. Hotdesking is pretty much the epitome of stress.]]> 2021-02-22 12:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1226163738 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1227364331 If we usually work with a laptop and 2nd screen, would we bring our 2nd screen back to the office, and just have the laptop for home working, or keep a home one, and use a different one at work (with docking station/cable.) 

]]> 2021-02-22 16:32:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1227364331 levuwe20181 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1232828279 Potentially another Pod type space for team meetings or break outs however insulation would need to be considered to minimise disruption.

]]> 2021-02-23 17:56:23 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1232828279 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1241901078 Unfortunately most of the office plants have died. Could we all get together and purchase a new crop from the grounds team who organised the last plant sale?]]> 2021-02-25 16:28:35 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1241901078 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1244971973 Do we need such a large team office if there will be more home working? It's a large space which frequently feels under occupied.
Or maybe the space is essential in the immediate future if there will be requirements to be able to maintain social distancing? In which case can some of the shelving etc be removed to allow greater spread of desks?]]> 2021-02-26 12:53:16 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1244971973 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1245799849 It would be a shame to lose some of the personality that can be seen around the office relating to individuals and teams. I can understand needing to leave desks clear and clean for the next person to use but I wouldn't like to see the space become too clinical. ]]> 2021-02-26 16:05:21 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1245799849 levuwe20181 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1250262626 Although it is not logistically possible to have a sink in the office, it would be nice to maintain an area to make hot drinks etc.]]> 2021-02-28 15:58:38 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1250262626 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1252566892 Re desk booking, it's really easy to forget to do this in advance of coming into the office! This could then cause problems if people arrive and then find there might not be anywhere suitable for them to work.]]> 2021-03-01 11:38:49 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1252566892 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1252583077 I'm struggling to see any advantages to hot-desking. Unless we want and need to remove desks to use the space for different purposes, then I don't think we gain anything by removing desks so that people no longer have their own spaces just for the sake of it (?)

]]> 2021-03-01 11:44:41 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1252583077 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1252610647 It's often essential to be able to talk to team colleagues and discuss/work out problems/etc... Working remotely makes this harder, but working partly remotely, partly not, and partly all spread around the room could make it even harder!]]> 2021-03-01 11:54:12 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1252610647 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1257880858 We have to store some trolleys in the office after they have been quaratined. We can minimise this as much as possible but there is lots of shelving and stock weeding to catch up on. Customer Assistants will need to leave trolleys occasionally too. Most of the acquisitions team have small trolleys by their desks because they are very useful and free up desk space.]]> 2021-03-02 12:11:06 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1257880858 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1273266149 We have been having issues with Adobe DC Pro running on the standard laptops when converting very long documents for Alternative Formats. We've found using the thick client PCs provide us with more reliability when working with this material and doing the content tagging required. I am unsure if the specifications of the thick clients differ from the laptops, but know that the majority of the team have experienced an issue of some sort whilst working on requests. Also the thick client PCs have disc drives which our laptops lack. Although unlikely it does allow us the option to deliver completed documents on disc if required. ]]> 2021-03-05 12:03:36 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1273266149 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281560688 I would like blended working from home and on campus for the first weeks/months to get used to how it all works but in the long run i would like to go back to working in the office full time as would like to get back to "normal" by say Christmas 

]]> 2021-03-08 12:01:16 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281560688 levuwe20181 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281585310 I think in many ways home working has worked well but there are also things that cannot be done remotely and I have missed the  opportunity to have face to face meetings with colleagues both in a business sense and for general  wellbeing. I do not want to return to the office full time but definitely in some capacity so my ideal would be 3 days at home and 2 in the office.  ]]> 2021-03-08 12:09:55 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281585310 janechoules1 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281593442 2021-03-08 12:12:18 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281593442 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281628658 I would like to see the option of a blended approach continue – having been on the collections office rota, I’ve found the process of booking a desk for when I need to go in very easy (I’ve hot desked in previous jobs so used to it). The ability to work from home some days and in the office some days would be ideal for me as I find it’s had a positive effect on finding a better work life balance (I do not miss the daily commute, but equally miss colleagues so a mix would be best for me personally!). In terms of deciding what days to go into the office, I guess there’d need to be discussion about which days would be ‘office days’ for each individual/teams….are there are regular set days that you’d go into the office? Or would it change or be more flexible (i.e. like on a rota basis similar to the current situation). I would personally just want to know a reasonable amount of time in advance what my office schedule would be ahead of time just so I could plan ahead, but I guess this is something that would be clarified as a policy/practice develops/emerges 😊 ]]> 2021-03-08 12:22:58 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281628658 levuwe20181 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281652563 I personally want a blended approach (home and office) but also think it could work to have an agreed base line e.g. 60/40 and if people want to be full time in the office, they could.

]]> 2021-03-08 12:29:54 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281652563 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281720510 As I think others have mentioned below, having time to plan ahead is particularly important, and an open discussion within smaller teams about the needs of the work of the team and individual team members would be helpful. Some may want the majority/all in the office, some 50/50, 60/40, 40/60 or some all at home - so there may be a good balance, or a total imbalance. Knowing the parameters of what will/will not be allowed would be helpful, so we can begin to discount unavailable options. I would like a mix of home and office, and would prefer set days for each (that's not to say I couldn't make changes on occasion if necessary for meetings etc.) Whereas I appreciate others may prefer the flexibility of a daily rota. 

]]> 2021-03-08 12:48:08 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281720510 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281812671 At the start of all this I really didn't like home-working and (obviously Covid aside) would much rather be in the office full time. Now that it's been so long though, I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Definitely miss seeing people, but maybe I've become too lazy for the daily commute now (?!) Would definitely like some time in the office with colleagues though, and I'd probably still say I'd want to be there the majority of the time.]]> 2021-03-08 13:10:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281812671 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281838255 On a personal level, it would be great to be able to decide whether to go into the office or WFH based on the weather! A jam packed bus in heavy traffic in a downpour is definitely something I don't miss... (I don't even know how I'll feel about getting buses at all if social distancing really does become a thing of the past...) However, I can see that it is likely to be unworkable for everyone to decide at short notice what they're doing each day.]]> 2021-03-08 13:16:06 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1281838255 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282014447 I would like to see a blended working approach that suits individuals, as well as the team overall. I think a blended approach is definitely the way forward, but I think flexibility on how this is adopted is important, e.g. flexibility for team members to choose how many days in the office and at home suits them (but there is an expectation that this will always be a mixed amount). This should then be seen if it can be accommodated based on tasks, etc., that require on-campus working and office space available. Depending on the tasks required on the day, there would be varying level of flexibility around changing the pattern at the last minute, so as not to overburden members of staff on-campus that day.]]> 2021-03-08 13:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282014447 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282272120 Personally, I would like to continue to be predominantly home based with any days in the office purposeful e.g. to deliver f2f training sessions or for f2f team meetings. A booking system for desks for those not office based would be preferable to ensure the most appropriate equipment/ space is available. ]]> 2021-03-08 14:31:16 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282272120 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282514212 I think a mixture of remote and occasional office working would really work well for me; economically as would use less petrol, socially; meeting with colleagues. It also cuts out the commute and queuing, and the stress that causes, which equals more work time. Also, campus staff parking is becoming more problematic; trying to find a space even when in early. It would also tick the right work/life balance, and be easier to juggle medical and other appointments for myself and family members. I appreciate it's a different and sometimes frustrating way of working from home, but for me on the whole it works well. ]]> 2021-03-08 15:09:14 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282514212 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282627328 I want to return in the knowledge that general cleaning and the toilets especially are made priority. They have generally often been disgusting places to visit. I don't know why we have never had staff only, swipe access ones. I've always felt staff needs come so way down the list, it's only students needs that matter.....]]> 2021-03-08 15:26:46 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282627328 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282885164 I'm leaning towards a 50/50 office and home working pattern, where more practical tasks are done in the office and the more routine data entry jobs are done at home. Working out the logistics of 2 work stations and sets of equipment could be a bit of a challenge.]]> 2021-03-08 16:07:38 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1282885164 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1283086789 If there were any staff who were going to be in the office every day, would it make sense for them to have their own desks, even if people who were only in occasionally were hotdesking? I can see how this might seem unfair though...]]> 2021-03-08 16:39:41 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1283086789 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1286714727 I have found working from home pretty beneficial health-wise. I get very tired in the afternoons, so being able to go lie down if I need to has helped a lot (I admit I used to nearly fall asleep on my desk sometimes!). A blended approach would be great in that I could adapt my work patterns for days when I'm more tired.]]> 2021-03-09 10:15:17 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1286714727 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1286716199 I'm really looking forward to coming back to the office but am also really anxious at the same time, we  have gone from being too scared to leave the house to thinking about desks, plants and coffee stations in a matter of weeks. I feel that the VC and SMT messages are very 'business as usual' wheras i feel like my day to day job  will never be the same again. 
There has been a lot of trauma  students and staff have all faced.
Will there be some provision for more wellbeing activity, team catch up time and counselling and reflection on the negative side of the pandemic? The Pandemic is not over yet and may well return in the Autumn and Winter. Sorry to be negative but relentless optimism gets tiring.]]> 2021-03-09 10:15:47 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1286716199 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1287416601 I would prefer to have my own desk, rather than hotdesking. It's too disorientating to have to constantly swap around, from a mental health view of view, for me anyway.]]> 2021-03-09 13:39:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1287416601 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1287426369 We need a return to flexi time. I'm working more hours than I should. I don't see any reason for it not to be returned at this stage.]]> 2021-03-09 13:41:29 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1287426369 naomi_cassidy https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1288045645 I agree that an ongoing blended approach to work would alleviate a lot of stress around daily commutes, but in the event that blended/ home working becomes a more permanent feature of the working day, amongst other things it may be helpful for staff to get reassurance around taking sick days. The concern is that some staff may pressure themselves, or feel pressured, into carrying on working from home when taking the time to rest would be a lot more beneficial to their health/ may second-guess what counts as too unwell to work. I imagine it's going to be a lot more common to see people with minor illnesses working from home to avoid spreading anything in the office, but there's the potential for that to escalate into working through illness that people would have usually taken the time to recuperate though. Ultimately, if blending/ home working is to continue there should be wellbeing measures in place to make sure no-one feels that they should be over-extending themselves.]]> 2021-03-09 15:19:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1288045645 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1292029498 Like many, I am very keen for there to be an increase in blended working - personally I really like working at home and my preference would be to do as much of this as possible. There are some things to consider though, that might affect some of us more than others. Steve West is clear that we are a campus uni, driven by business need, and stuff that is best done f-2-f should revert to f-2-f. I guess that, once those things are more clearly defined, for some this will drive our working patterns whether we like the outcome or not! In general though I think that we need to agree some base lines (as others have said) - we cannot be endlessly flexible dependent on how someone feels on any given day - but I am all for people being able to work in a flexible way which suits them and those around them.]]> 2021-03-10 09:46:48 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1292029498 jbelger67 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1517249688 I am concerned that with a move towards more blended working, there needs to be more areas where teams can meet. Just coming into work at a random desk won't really bring any benefit to working from home. If teams cannot be guaranteed that they will be able to sit in the same area, I would like to see more breakout areas for staff either within the office or in the wider library/university. ]]> 2021-05-12 12:57:37 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1517249688 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1517375340 Seems to me that there are currently not enough suitable bookable spaces available for teams to be able to come in, co-locate and work in a meaningful way, especially now that the team office is being used by other depts in LCI (although I do think that in itself should be a positive thing).  Hopefully this will improve as more spaces are opened up. Personally, I don't want to come on site to sit on my own in a room in Felixstowe (unless I am in online meetings for much of the day). That feels like it would offer little in the way of "making connections" or having those "watercooler moments".
It would be helpful if desks in the team office could be booked by the half day.
It would also be helpful if there were clarity over use of L2 team space - can anyone book a set of desks in there?
A booking system that is used consistently and fairly is essential.

]]> 2021-05-12 13:27:30 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1517375340 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1520436273 Many members of staff have still not been offered their first vaccination, and it will be some time before everyone is fully vaccinated. Then we also have to consider the majority of students who also won't have been offered a vaccine yet! For a lot of people, social distancing will be necessary even if 'guidelines' say it can be scrapped, because they will not have been fully vaccinated, so distancing will be an essential precaution to keep people safe. Can we please ensure this is taken into account when asking people to return to campus? I would certainly not feel safe returning to an unsocially-distanced office until I was fully vaccinated.]]> 2021-05-13 08:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1520436273 https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1524404185 this isn't exactly critical, but does impact on coming into the office intermittently - storage space for items like notes, mug, stationery etc. Or is the expectation that we either return stationery to the stationery cupboard each time, or bring everything we need to and from the office each time? When I've done hot-desking before I had a drawer or a locker which was my own, even if the desk wasn't - this was useful. ]]> 2021-05-14 12:59:03 UTC https://padlet.com/tom_gold/jiun0l28wtu9d6e1/wish/1524404185