Workplace building design and office‐based workers' activity: a study of a natural experiment

Abstract

Objective: This opportunistic natural study investigated the effects of relocation of office workers from a 30‐year‐old building to a new purpose‐built building. The new building included an attractive central staircase that was easily accessed and negotiated, as well as breakout spaces and a centralised facilities area. The researchers aimed to determine the impact of the purpose‐built office building on the office workers' sedentariness and level of physical activity. Method: In 2013, a natural pre‐post study was undertaken with office‐based workers in their old conventional 1970s building and on relocating to a new purpose‐built ‘activity permissive’ building. Objective movement data was measured using accelerometers. Anthropometric and demographic data was also collected. Results: Forty‐two office‐based workers significantly decreased their percentage of daily sitting time (T1 = 84.9% to T2=79.7%; p<0.001) and increased their percentage of daily standing time (T1=11.2% to T2 17.0%; p<0.001) in the new building. Moderate activity significantly declined (T1=3.9% to 3.2%=T2; p=0.038). There was a significant decrease in mean minutes of sitting time (19.62 minutes; p<0.001) and increase in standing time (22.03 minutes; p<0.001). Conclusions: The design of a building can influence activity. This opportunistic study on the impact of workplace relocation on office‐based workers' activity showed modest positive outcomes in sitting and standing. Evidence is required to inform building design policy and practice that supports physical activity and reduces levels of sedentariness in the workplace.

The dark side of office designs: towards de‐humanization

“…By suppressing the physical barriers, these authors show that open-plan offices increase feedbacks and information sharing, what leads to better social relationships within organization and contributes to the workers' productivity, satisfaction and motivation. In terms of well-being, for example, Jancey et al (2016) show that flex offices contribute to the increase of employees' physical activity, reducing the sedentariness associated with the traditional cell and open-plan office.…”

“…In terms of well‐being, for example, Jancey et al . () show that flex offices contribute to the increase of employees’ physical activity, reducing the sedentariness associated with the traditional cell and open‐plan office.…”

Who moved my cheese?

“…[2][3][4][5] We saw how focusing on younger people and older people including mothers and children continues to improve the health life cycle from young to old.…”

“…In a world of political unrest and uncertainty, dedicated Public Health practitioners and researchers continue to make a difference in their communities and around the world. [2][3][4][5] We saw how focusing on younger people and older people including mothers and children continues to improve the health life cycle from young to old. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Our first online open access Journal contained outstanding work in the area of Indigenous health.…”

Impact of Activity-Based Working and Height-Adjustable Desks on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Space Utilization among Office Workers: A Natural Experiment

“…There have been limited studies investigating the effect of ABW on physical activity (PA) or SB [12][13][14][15]. Most of the previous studies had limitations of study protocol (i.e., lack of control group), and one study had a control group but did not find significant results of the effect.…”