Renfrewshire Council

As work continues to support the different types of hybrid-working that you agreed with your teams over the summer. We wanted to provide you with an update about some of the changes we've been making to the layout at Renfrewshire House.

We're ensuring we reflect on best practice advice and guidance for planning our spaces, to help us maximise our floor space and find the correct balance between collaborative and individual work settings.

Last year, you told us that moving forward you wanted our office space to be team focussed, promoting a creative and collaborative culture, with a balance of quiet space, private and confidential space and bookable desks and meeting rooms.

What this looks like will be guided by what you have told us and informed by your feedback, so it's important that you take part in the pilots and  tell us what you think works, what doesn't and what you would like to see more of.

Quiet pod pilot

We are trialling the use of two different types of quiet pods, that colleagues can use if you need some quiet time, and/or to have a private or sensitive conversation.

One of these is on loan and is in the breakout space on 5^th floor north. The other, that we've made ourselves, is on 2^nd floor north, towards the rear of the floor, and we would encourage you to use both and feedback on your experience, using the QR codes in the pod or by clicking here.

Breakout spaces pilot

You may also have seen that we've added monitors to some of the desks in the collaborative breakout spaces on each of the floors. If the feedback is positive, and they are well used, then we'll look to add more of these across the building. Please scan the QR codes on the desk or click here to let us know what you think.

Progress to date

We've completed a ventilation survey to assess and increase the air flow in Renfrewshire House. Going forward, this will influence the numbers permitted and space planning, and we are starting to consider where individual teams can be based across the building. We are looking at ways to continue to improve this, and we appreciate your patience while we do.

Last month we removed the desks and lockers from the lower ground floor, and this area is no longer available to work from, although the breakout and meeting space is still available to use.

We are also looking to improve the accessibility and equipment across the building and in our meeting rooms, and this newer technology is already available to try in corporate meeting room 1 and 5.1.

A trial of 'village working' is underway with our Customer Business Services colleagues. This involves the team having a dedicated space, on 2nd floor north, with the management team being responsible for maximising the layout and use of this area as a team.

Moving equipment

As the work has progressed we've noticed that a significant amount of office and ICT equipment has been removed from the desks/floors or in some cases the building. This has included: keyboards, docking stations, chairs and even a desk! And is further complicating the task of understanding quantities of equipment and identifying any gaps we need to address.

Can you please not move any equipment from its current location. If the desk or area you are sitting at doesn't have the required equipment, please use another one, or move to another floor - there is lots of space throughout Renfrewshire House, particularly on the 1^st and 5^th floors.  If you do need equipment to support working at home or hybrid working then you should follow the usual procurement process for new equipment.

Published on Wednesday 5 April 2023.