COUNCIL STAFF EXPERIENCE THE OFFICE OF THE FUTURE

12.00.00am GMT Fri 18th Dec 2009

City of York Council staff based at Mill House have been testing out the office of the future as part of a project designed to test new ways of working ahead of the move to the new Council HQ in 2012.

Staff working in the office can log into any computer and phone and take their phone extension number, contacts and profile with them to whichever desk they are using at the time.

The hotdesking system give more flexibility and means staff that are frequently out of the office do not have a desk left unused while they are away.

The majority of paper files used by the staff who are using the office of the future have been scanned and are now stored electronically, saving storage space and paper.

The office is trialling a number of different products and solutions to see which best meet the needs of the Council. The scheme will be fully evaluated in March when the six month trial ends.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Richard Moore visited the office earlier this week. He said the project would test new ways of working in order to make the Council more efficient.

Councillor Moore said, "The office of the future trial brings together a number of changes in the way people work to see how they can boost efficiency."

"Greater sharing of equipment such as printers and copiers will cut down on costs to the Council but will also make people think more about what they need to print. This should help us cut down on paper use and help to protect the environment."

"The open plan offices also make it much easier for people to share information and ensure that people work closer together."

"The new office is very impressive and staff seem to be happy with the new arrangements."

Councillor Moore said few of the Council's current buildings were suited to the open plan office style but that the new HQ would mean more staff could benefit from the results of the office of the future trial.

He said, "The Council's current building are spread across the city and do not help staff to feel part of the larger organisation. Many are also old and unsuitable to upgrade to modern ways of working. This means that sometimes staff can feel isolated and information is not always shared between departments effectively."

"The new Council HQ will bring together staff currently spread around the city to a more central, more appropriate and efficient location. The office of the future trial is helping us shape how we will use the new HQ to make the best use of the new facilities."