OFFICE LAY-OUT IN GOVERNMENT
MEANING, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
Meaning: Office Lay-out refers to the arrangement and placing of men
and equipment within each department of the office with a view to making
the best possible utilization of the available floor space. The purpose of office
layout is to bring efficiency and economy in office work by getting most work
at the minimum cost.
Definitions:
According to Hicks & Place, "The problem of office layout relates to
the arrangement in the space involved so that all the equipment, supplies,
procedures and personnel can function at maximum efficiency."
According to G.R Terry, "Office layout is the determination of the
space requirements and the detailed utilization of this space in order to
provide a practical arrangement of the physical factors considered
necessary for the execution of the office work within reasonable cost."
From the above definitions, it is clear that the office layout involves:
1. The determination of space requirement for each employee and for
machinery.
2. The proper utilization of the space for furniture and machinery.
AIMS and OBJECTIVES:
In Office layout are the main objectives and aims:
1. To increase efficiency of office work: When proper arrangement
of furniture and equipment is provided, it enables the office staff to
confine to their places and carry out their activities without moving
from place to place. This increases their concentration and there
are less chances of committing errors.
2. Enhance utilization of office space: By systematic arrangement of
all equipment and furniture, it is possible to utilize the space to the
maximum extent possible.
3. Facilitate supervision: A good layout of an office enables the office
manager to supervise the work of all the staff and enforce discipline
among them.
4. Provide good working environment: Good working conditions should
be provided to the office staff so that the employees feel that they are
working under good working conditions.
5. Utilize office assets to maximum extent: By orderly arranging the
various sections in an office, it is possible to utilize the available services
and assets to the maximum extent.
6. Avoid external and internal noise: As a large part of office work
relates to the mental work, most of the departments of the office must
have facilities to shutout noise from external and internal sources.
7. Provide security and privacy: Office is the place where all
confidential matters are dealt with. So, it is necessary that such sections
like filing section, cash section, etc, are properly safeguarded.
8. Co-ordination among different departments: Office layout should
provide the workers a chance to be able to communicate easily and
freely. This enhances co-ordination in the work of the different
departments.
9. Provides flexibility in the use of space: A well-planned office will
facilitate future expansion and avoid problems arising from non-
availability of enough space for future use.
