• The number of workers and their physiognomy
  • The type of customers and their characteristics
  • The type of task to be performed
  • The variability of the task
  • The work environment
  • The equipment available and how often it is used
  • The organization of work at the reception desk

Once the needs have been clearly identified, it is essential to consider the posture in which the exchanges between staff and customers will take place. The choice of posture must be appropriate for the reception situation. To make an informed choice, three main factors must be considered:

Prioritize communication at the same level
In addition to reducing the awkward postures adopted by staff, positioning the interlocutors at the same level facilitates exchanges. Moreover, this type of arrangement ensures greater safety by limiting the power relationship that can arise in a configuration where one of the interlocutors is elevated in relation to the other.

How much time will customers spend at the reception desk?
The length of time spent dealing with customers determines which option should be prioritized. It is preferable to arrange the space so that customers can stand for brief interactions while a seating arrangement should be prioritized if the time spent at the reception desk is longer.
In addition, if the customer is seated, the staff should also be seated to respect the principle of communication at the same level.

Workers must move or not ?
When the main task is to welcome customers and very little movement is expected, it is preferable to consider a seated posture. This posture is also ideal when there is a high volume of customers. On the contrary, when the task requires a lot of movement, a standing posture is preferable for the staff. Depending on your situation, several design concepts are possible. It is therefore essential not to choose the design of the reception desk solely based on aesthetic considerations, but to carry out an in-depth analysis of the work activity. Our ErgoPlanix service will enable you to ensure that future layouts offer optimal health and safety conditions and are well suited to the comfort and quality of work requirements of your organization’s employees.

References:

CSA-Z412 Standard – Ergonomics in the office, ASSTSAS Document – PARC 9 – Layout of a reception desk