New ways of work

Abstract

New ways of work are rapidly changing globally wherein employees can work anywhere at any time. Virtual teams and telework are a common alternative worksite where employees are typically using a computer and mobile device to conduct their work. Satellite office workspaces are prevalent with workers are having sharing desks, or hoteling. With mobile technologies, employees have the flexibility to move around the work environment and conduct computing work tasks any place, at any time. These new workspaces ideally support communication, have a character of place, are comfortable, fulfilling, and secure. They stimulate and encourage the creativity and innovation of individuals and teams whilst performing intensive computing tasks and ensure their safety, health and well-being. Knowing how to use these new, flexible workspaces effectively is also critical for employee safety and performance. This panel discusses several issues regarding new ways of working for and with employees who intensively use computer technology and mobile devices. Panelists will present different viewpoints and perspectives on how the field of ergonomics, human computer interaction and training needs proactive consideration in designing workspaces for support of new ways of working with information computer technologies and mobile devices.