Apart from structure and layout, the balance between Yin and Yang is also important in a workplace

Ravi Chadha

How you function at work depends on a number of factors, some within and others beyond your control. More often than not, you are able to organise your personal workspace so that it supports you and enables you to work efficiently. You may not be able to change factors like lighting, furnishing and layout, but if you do not feel comfortable, do bring it to the notice of the person in-charge to influence the decision-making process in order to achieve a balanced and harmonious environment, which will ultimately benefit the company.

The factors that are of primary importance are structural details, basic layout, lighting, desks and work stations, decoration, electrical equipment, clutter in the office, balance between the Yin and the Yang elements in the office and the unseen energies.

Structural details: The working conditions make a great impact on how you will feel about your job and your performance at work. Being aware of certain problematic features will at least enable you to place suitable remedies to make your working lives more comfortable. Some of the common features to be tackled are mentioned below:

Beams: These are necessary to support a building but can be oppressive when positioned over a desk and can suppress the chi of those sitting or working beneath them, therefore, it would be ideal if partitions can be placed underneath the beams. Otherwise, filing cabinets, book cases and storage areas can be created under beams. Besides, you may either place tall healthy plants under the beams to lift the energy or hang a colourful mobile to diffuse the oppressive energy from bearing down.

Columns: Where the sharp edges point towards chairs, the people sitting in them will feel uncomfortable. Soften the corners by slightly rounding them off or place plants or objects to conceal and diffuse the effect.

Barriers: Where small rooms or spaces have been converted into a large office, there may occasionally be parts of wall left standing for structural reasons, which create a kind of barrier. It is important that both eyes have the same-length view, as otherwise over a period of time the person’s working in such situations tend to develop an unbalanced approach and also can lead to stress and illness.

Staircases: It should not ideally face the front entrance or the chi will be unable to circulate properly. The tread should be wide enough and the risers not too high. The staircases should be closed with no gap between the tread and riser to keep the energy flowing in a smooth and stable manner. Spiral staircases should be avoided as they act like a cork-screw piercing the chi.

Corridors: Long and narrow corridors act as funnels and the chi’ moves very quickly leading to a feeling of isolation amongst persons sitting on either side of the corridors. Slow down the chi by placing plants, objects or small pieces of furniture to create a meandering path for the chi to follow. Ideally, there should not be doors, which are directly opposite one another in a long corridor to avoid a feeling of rivalry or unhealthy oneupmanship. Use paintings or pictures staggered on each side of the corridor and in between doorways to create a feeling of community.

Partitions and dividers: It should be ideally low to support a free-flow of chi throughout the office. Therefore open office plans are preferred nowadays. However, avoid people sitting with their backs to each other or facing the backs of computers, ideally people should sit with their backs against a solid wall, partition or divider.

Basic layout: The entrance of the office sets the tone for the whole company and its importance cannot be overstated. A clean, bright, welcoming entrance will encourage the visitor to think well of the company. In addition, it also creates a welcoming and positive atmosphere for employees. On the other hand, if the entrance area is dark, depressing or shoddy, it will indicate a rundown company with failing fortunes and also deplete the energies of the employees even as they start the day’s work.

Entrance door: It should be in proportion to the open area immediately inside. If there are double doors, both should open freely or the flow of chi will be restricted. Besides the doors should open easily and smoothly or else they shall deplete personal energy. If the company is engaged in a kind of activity where several deliveries are made through the same door, there should be suitable provision for the door to be opened and kept open for ease of delivery. However, these goods should be removed at the earliest opportunity.

If there are windows directly opposite the door, provide a barrier by placing plants to prevent the chi from flowing straight out without circulating in the premises.

Reception area: Chi flow in the reception areas is important and the employees should be able to move swiftly to their work areas. It is important that the reception areas are fresh and that air is circulated, so fans, water features and plants can play an important role. Ideally, visitors should not be able to see directly into the main working area.
Every organisation has times and situations of stress in the course of the day. Potential clients and visitors should not be aware of the crisis situations as they arise or to be able to hear any heated conversation that may be taking place in the course of the day.
Doors should, therefore, be positioned out of the direct line of sight of visitors, who should enter and have an impression of a calm, congenial and efficient office.

Reception desk: Visitors should be able to see the reception desk on entering, but it should not be too close or directly opposite the main entry door or the receptionist will soon be drained of energy. A receptionist should be cheerful and be trained to put visitors at ease and their needs should come before those of other employees or the telephone system. A receptionist should be occupied with work but at the same time the desk should not be cluttered.

Common areas: Poor decoration and maintenance within the office is depressing, and shadowy corners and passages will not encourage the staff to stay on a little while longer in the evening to finish the work in hand.

Fresh paint work, clean floors and positive images on the walls, on the other hand, suggest to employees that they are valued and encourages efficiency and loyalty. Cramped spaces will eventually tell on you and lead to cramped minds. Use mirrors and pictures to create an illusion of space.

While open office plans help circulate chi, they may leave people feeling vulnerable. It is, therefore, important that you personalise your space. Place pictures of family, and personal memorabilia connected to your area of work, mementos, etc.

It is recommended that a private area should be provided where staff can meet to have a break, discuss work with a colleague or two perhaps even air their grievances in private. The Feng Shui of this room is very important to make the staff feel positive. At the same time, it should not encourage staff extend breaks for too long a period. In some organisations, they have provided this as a smoking room in a generally ‘no smoking’ office. In one particular case they have even placed a set of drums there. It has proved to be a very effective device in helping give vent to moments of fury, frustration, anxiety, and bursts of creativity during the course of a hectic day. It has also encouraged the staff to stay indoors and not leave the office on the slightest of pretext when they feel the need for a short break. A notice board in this room is also a very effective device and acts as a communication medium between staff and colleagues and the employer. However, notices should be up to date and removed regularly. There should also be a happy balance between official communication and social information.

Meeting rooms are usually an integral part of any office. They can be small rooms for informal meetings to larger ones for formal staff meetings. Round tables are ideal for brainstorming sessions, while rectangular tables suit meetings with the leader sitting at the head. Where quick decisions are required, use hard shiny material and the table should be at leaning height so that people do not get too comfortable or prolong the meeting.

Canteens or pantry should be secluded and away from the main areas of work, clean and conform to health and safety standards. Provisions should be made for easy cleaning, especially at busy times.

(For further Feng Shui queries or consultations contact Ravi Chadha at fengshuitoday@rediffmail.com)