[no]WURries: Impersonal desks

View of greenery

‘We use a hybrid working approach where possible and I find it means a less personal atmosphere. I myself don’t find personal items that important but it’s different with the surroundings. At WCDI we create welcoming surroundings with plants, so the open areas and offices have a view of greenery. Staff take it in turns to look after the plants. We also have photos of scenery and people from other cultures in the office areas. In the morning I put out personal possessions like a framed photo, artificial plant, pen holder and mug. That adds to the ambience. Try also setting up a cheery corner with a coffee table, magazines and armchairs for breaks. Good luck!’

Daniëlle Arends, portfolio support group, Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation

Photos

‘You can make your workstation more personal with photos. I use a holiday photo or photo of my family as my computer desktop image. If you have a lot of online meetings, you can also use it as your background image in Teams. That’s good for breaking the ice and starting off some small talk. You can also hang pictures in the office that are related to your field of work. Or stick printed foil on glass walls, like in parts of Radix. You can add a personal twist to areas other than the office, for example with birthday calendars, prizes and souvenirs from team trips in the coffee corner. In the Plant Sciences Group, we are thinking about a library section with books and PhD theses.’

Annemarie de Vries, Housing and Facilities project coordinator, PSG 

Talk to your manager

‘The issue of accommodation and implementing flexible desks is something we are working on a lot as the AFSG OR (Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group Works Council, ed.). Many aspects are being discussed and that includes the physical setup. My advice is to talk to your manager. Is it possible to paint the walls a different colour or hang up art? Do you want plants in the office? And contact your department’s works council: what do you find helps create a pleasant, welcoming environment? We can then use your input when discussing the issue of accommodation with the management.’

Marloes Pals, Food Sciences cluster coordinator and vice chair, OR AFSG

Home decorations

‘The problem with hot-desking is that every desk is empty and impersonal by default. Discuss with your co-workers the option of putting some standard decorations on every desk, such as small plants, figurines or a message board with photos. Ask everyone to bring a decoration from home (bonus points for international articles). That gives each desk its own vibe and you introduce some talking points. This means you never have to sit at an empty desk in the morning.’

W. N., WUR employee

Next [WUR]ry:

If you have advice or tips for this Wurrier or if you need some advice yourself, email your tips or question by 22 April to resource@wur.nl, subject noWURries.

Also read:

[no]WURries: Flight Shame

[no]WURries: A reserved colleague

[no]WURries: Disrespectful communicating