Implementation of shared workspace in a psychiatric outpatient clinic – effects on workspace usability, psychosocial work environment and employee well-being

Purpose Shared workspace concept is one modern solution applied in health-care facility design. Yet, studies investigating the effects of their implementation on employees are rare. This study aims to compare perceptions of usability, psychosocial work environment and well-being in a psychiatric outpatient clinic that relocated from traditional workspaces into shared workspaces. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were administered seven months before and eight months after the change in a Finnish outpatient clinic. Data from 36 employees were analyzed statistically using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test methods. Findings Shared workspaces supported work tasks and task privacy less than traditional workspaces. Satisfaction with air quality and accessibility increased; however, perceptions of lighting and sufficiency of work- and storage space decreased. Further, well-being deteriorated, but psychosocial work environment was unchanged, except for perceived job security which decreased. To achieve a workspace that is effective, efficient, satisfying and supportive of well-being, shared workspaces and guidelines for using the facilities should support different work tasks. Practical implications Based on a small pre–post study in one psychiatric outpatient clinic, organizations moving to shared workspaces should clearly differentiate areas for quiet and noisy work in activity-based workspaces, ensure sufficient nearby enclosed rooms for calls and discussions, provide easy booking and allocation systems and establish guidelines to support a peaceful work environment. Further, organizations should guide employees to use spaces as intended and monitor user experience and the psychosocial environment after relocation and adjust practices as needed. Originality/value This empirical pre–post study is unique, as it investigates shared workspace concepts in the health-care sector, capturing the impact of the concepts on usability and well-being.