...Reframing at the Movies: Office Space The movie Office Space, examines and critiques various organizational practices in our society. It is a story about work life and the effects of bad management on the morale of the workers. It is set in a high-tech company and the central character is a technical professional in the organization who has no motivation or passion for his job. Pete works at Initech, a software company. His job consists of sitting in a cubicle crunching numbers all day long, which is enough to make anyone go crazy. Office Space depicts an oppressing, unsatisfactory view of the working world in an attempt to demonstrate unhealthy and ineffective practices that many businesses and organizations utilize. While many elements in Office Space are ridiculous and exaggerated, many ring true with experiences shared by anyone who has worked in a managed organization. By presenting the daily horrors that such organizations can create, the film serves as an ideal of what a successful organization ought to avoid. In the movie, power is extremely centralized at Initech with Bill Lumbergh at the top of the ladder. The employees work in tiny cubicles that block their view of the windows, thereby eliminating outside distractions. The copy machine never works, their supplies (i.e. the staplers) are constantly being replaced with lesser-quality brands, and poor Milton is repeatedly forced to move desks, eventually ending up in the basement alongside the cockroaches. Furthermore...
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...Office Space- Analysis I think the movie is a good example of a business that lacks effective management system. It lacks successful management because the relationship between the managers and employees are not very strong. The organization is more likely a ritual and hierarchal organization where a manager dominates over the employees. This is proved since the manager of the office got the best spot for parking his car next by the main door. This definitely creates mind of uneasiness/unfair to other employees as they are equal part of an organization as the managers. Also, the film shows the frustration among the employee when he was told to correct his one simple mistake by 10 different people for 10 different times. In other words, the company communicates with their employees through memos instead of face to face meeting. This implies that the firm has been lacking good communication between their own management boards and adds de-motivation among the employees on doing anything because it makes them think they are working for 10 different bosses. The film shows how the organization hires the consultants to control the payroll and lay off employees to solve the company’s financial burden. They just interview the employees individually and make decisions if they keep him or throw him out. By doing this, the company do not have to talk to their employees directly and confront them and thinks the problem will be solved. However, the consultants are not always right because...
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...Appendices: We have taken into consideration the data provided to us in Table 2 (Employment in Hong Kong between 1984 and 1993), Table 4a (Average rentals of grade A office space in Hong Kong), Table 4b (Rentals for prime office space in other cities, Table 6 (Office Portfolio of Hong Kong Land Holdings Ltd., Table 7a (Private offices for all grades – supply and forecast supply by district and Table 7a (Grade A Office in Central – supply and forecast supply). Disclaimer: We have forecasted the demand and price based on the information available to us and have not taken into consideration additional data that maybe available to the general public. Appendix A: Forecast of Demand for Grade A office space in Hong Kong Central for Hutchison Whampoa Ltd The Vacancy rate of Grade A offices in HK Central in 1992 is 86,000 Square meter i.e. 7.3% and we used this data in combination with the incremental supply data available to calculate the total Supply space. ð Total Supply for Grade A offices in HK Central for 1992 = 86,000 Sq. Meters / 7.3% = 1,178,082 Square meters. ð Total Demand for Grade A offices in HK Central = 1,178,082 Square meters x 92% = 1,092,082 Square meters. 92% is derived from subtracting the 7.3% from 100%. The table below contains the calculated values for Total Supply and Demand based on the approach described above: Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993F 1994F 1995F 1996F 1997F 1998F 1999F Vacancy in Square Meters (2nd paragraph in page 14) ...
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...An Analysis of the Utilization of Under-Utilized Hotel Rooms Inventory as Executive Serviced Office Space Jeffrey R. Victor, CHA, CHE, CHS, CMP Fairleigh Dickinson University Author Note Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to: Jeffrey R. Victor, CHA, CHE, CHS, CMP Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ 07940. Contact: jvictor@jeffreyvictor.com Analysis of Repurposing Underutilized Hotel Rooms Inventory as Executive Office Space 1 Abstract When hotels are built, the number of rooms built into inventory becomes a static item. Due to the physical nature of construction, the number of rooms become an inflexible and perishable commodity. In looking at the growing nature of the Executive or Serviced Office industry and the similarities between their product and a hotel’s offerings, it has been theorized that there are revenue opportunities in deploying a serviced office product in pre-existing hotels. Through an analysis of industry trends, demand for offices, product needs and revenue opportunity, a financial model has been developed. After reading this paper, the reader will be able to understand what a serviced executive office is, the similarities between that product and a hotel product and understand how to analyze revenue to determine the financial impact of repurposing a number of rooms as executive offices. They will then be able to utilize the model contained herein to determine if repurposing rooms in such a manner...
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...Office Space: Report, Group 35 1.) With reference to specific examples from the film, critically reflect on how Office Space illustrates tensions in the wage and effort bargain between management and workers. The purpose of this question is to illustrate tensions in the wage and effort bargain between management and workers, more specifically, the wage and effort bargain issues that arise in the film Office Space. Throughout this essay we will discuss the theory behind the wage effort bargain and assess how the balance of power between the workers and managers affects the performance in the work place. We will begin with looking at the history behind the wage and effort bargain. We will also look at how the motivation of employees is effected, outlined through the characters point of view in the film Office Space. The film follows the working lives of the employees in the Initech, and how they are unfulfilled in their jobs. The wage and effort bargain is a situation which occurs in the workplace between workers and managers. In a capitalist economy the main objective for firms is to maximise their profits. In order to do this, these firms must produce goods and services in order to accumulate more money than they invested in their business, and continue the circuit of capital. However, this firm must employ labour in order to initiate production. Therefore, these two parties will meet in the labour market and agree to enter into an employment relationship, specified by an...
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...Do modern organisations over manage workers? Organisations manage their workers in various ways in order to gain maximum productivity. The way they achieve this is questionable, do they over manage their workers to get there? Research shows the classical theory of management started in the 20th century and is still present in the modern workplace. The main aspect carried on, retaining control over the worker such as micromanagement, where severe negative effects can be seen. Organisations are still demonstrating certain techniques that are not relevant in the modern workplace, resulting in an over managed worker. The classical theorists of the 20th Century’s approaches to management are still reflected in today’s organisations. The theory of bureaucracy, developed by Weber (1949), was one of the most influential Classical Theories that we still implement in modern organisations. A short video by Simonton (Problem in today’s Workplace- Do you have it too? 2012) states that the problem with today’s workplace is too many Managers are employing bureaucratic styles, causing workers to be disengaged from their job. Bureaucracy exhibits a very structured system with clearly defined hierarchy, the relationship between manager and worker remaining separate with the needs of the employee disregarded. Their inflexibility & controlling manor discourages workers to engage in human relations and the society of the workplace, resulting in demotivation and low performance. When this...
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...Transcript of Case study 2: The Treadway Tire Company Case Study 2 The Treadway Tire Company: Job Dissatisfaction and High Turnover at the Lima Tire Plant -The IT company in this movie has a terrible employee organization, as well as over pressured managers who tend to hassle lower employees, which causes main Character Peter Gibbons to be highly unsatisfied with his job and sabotage the company -Retail and Restaurant industry has some of the highest turnover rates. But the retail stores and restaurants that fully train their employees, are flexible and institute a culture that fosters loyalty are the ones that most overcome job dissatisfaction - Balance hiring policy by adhering to 60% internal hires, 30%college graduates & 10% company transfers - Implement rotating 8 hour shifts instead of 12 hour shifts - Re-institure the month long rotational training program for foremen - As they learn new task they gain higher pay so this month long training doesn't cost company too much - Start an internship program that brings in potential employees without having to pay them unless they are offered a full-time job -Assign area managers as formal mentors to expose foremen to the key processes in the plant as well as inform them on authority and Union issues -Then routinely assess job satisfaction and be ready to change plan when necessary Works Cited How to Keep Your Best Employees: Developing an Effective Retention Policy [and Executive Commentary] Terence R. Mitchell, Brooks...
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............................................................................................................... 8 2 Statement Your organization counts 250 employees. Your main customer is Mondial Assistance : your are a call center in charge of answering calls from people in need of assistance, anywhere in the world. You call center is on 24/7 running schedule. You have 55 workstations, and your employees work in 3 shifts, so as to ensure the 24/7 coverage (from 7.00am to 3.00pm, from 3.00pm to 11.00pm and from 11.00pm to 7.00am ; during that late night shift, only 35 workstations are live. You also have some office space, where 5 people work from Monday to Friday, from 9 .00am to 5.00pm. You have to move your activity because your lease is over. This move has to be achieved by the 31st of January. You have already chosen your new location : a large open-space in a newly built building. Your new lease should start on the 1st of December, however, your actual...
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...Video Case: Bad Bosses If you saw the movie Office Space, character Bill Lumberg may have reminded you of someone. While many of us have encountered an unreasonable boss like Lumberg, bad bosses are no laughing matter. Having a bad relationship with a boss is one of the major reasons people seek other jobs. Half of all workers say they can do their bosses job better. Unfortunately, says Brent Rasmussen of CareerBuilder.com, leaving is usually the only way to get rid of a bad boss. Just what makes a boss bad? Generally speaking, they lack the people skills necessary to be effective leaders. Bad bosses have been characterized as greedy, condescending, even thieving, stealing good ideas and taking credit for them. Through finger pointing and yelling, bad bosses also create a stressful environment. In fact, studies have shown that stress levels and days lost to illness are lower in work places that are managed fairly. Justin Racz, in his book, 50 Bosses Worse than Yours, provides a profile of bad bosses, some based on his personal experience. The chair thrower, as the name implies, likes to through things. Racz’s advice: duck. The micromanager doesn’t give workers much breathing room, while the back stabber takes credit or places blame. The screamer is pretty much self-explanatory. Then there’s the boss who wants to be your buddy. A recent survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com found that most workers (49%) have buddy bosses; 23% reported having bosses that are never around;...
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...constant challenge of managing and allocating office workspace. companies face this challenge because they are ensure that employees space demands are meet using limited resources. In order to allocate workspace and support employees, Companies, designers, architects and workplace consultants must consider factors such as, space availability, energy costs, security issues, operation and maintenance expenses, emergency management planning, The new mobile workforce as well as alternative workplace arrangements. Methodology Workplace use trends have changed a lot since 1997. Public and private companies have been compelled to readjust their workspace usage. Workplaces are now influenced by an improving mobile workforce and increased use if wireless communication equipments. Smart phones, as well as wireless networking have revolutionized the workplace. This made many private and public companies to apply alternative work environments to minimize workspace expenses and optimize physical workspace. Alternative work environments include; desk sharing, telework and hoteling stations. These are the key trends in current office settings and provide companies flexibility and optimal workspace usage use of alternative work environments have increased quantitave benefits, such as, increased productivity and associate morale. Companies use different space use measurements, which can be a challenge when comparing workplace space use for many organizations. In order to...
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...In the movie, Office Space the main character Peter Gibbons faces dilemmas in life that lead him to that fact that all he needs is himself. Peter becomes self-reliant which leads to him lying in bed all of Saturday when he was supposed to come into work and finish those TPS reports. The initial transcendentalism philosophy was that relying on yourself and only yourself for happiness. Peter Gibbons was shacked up in his apartment all day and it was the best day of his life. Peter Gibbons says, “I did nothing all day and it was everything I thought it could be.” This relates back to transcendentalism because peter only needed himself to explore the greatest of being home and to not work. Peter did whatever he wanted to make himself feel happy. Peter hated going to work, it was hell on earth “So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.” Peters main source of unhappiness was work, so he stopped going....
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...Case Study #2 Like every company Initech has a matrix organization starting with the CEO, regional managers, and according to peter 8 managers. When the workers like Peter work their butts off they do not get any of reward for it but the company gets to sell more units. There is no motivation so he just doesn’t care about. Peter feels his only “motivation is not to be hassled” by the eight bosses when he makes a mistake. In another situation, Bill Lumbergh the manager did not tell his employee Milton Waddams that he got laid off five years ago but still got a paycheck. The consultants hired by the company, which no employee knew about, to layoff people just went and fixed the glitch in accounting that allowed him to get his paychecks. Based on these issues, the core issue in the communication that Lumbergh has with his employees. His inability to be clear with Waddams causes the company a five-year salary cost and fails to communicate with the employee, demonstration a lack of importance to their well being. Communication in organizations is the way information is passed on and understood between groups of people. Messages are formed, encoded and sent. Noise makes the message sent questionable it the receiver was actually listening. The lack of motivation affects how good the responses are between two or more people. Legitimate Power can be used for either good or bad, just like any other power. Legitimate power entitles the person to give others orders as the person has...
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...Memorandum To: Andy Theiss From: Kevin Geohegan (Seat 9), Karthik Pillalamarri (Seat 16), Sam Reifsteck (Seat 3), Justin Sikkema (Seat 6) Date: 11/4/2015 Re: Materials Testing 1. Introduction The arm supports for Office Spaces’ newest chairs need to be strong, yet not overly heavy or overly expensive. There were four combinations of materials and cross-section designs for the arm supports available to us for testing: rectangular steel, brass, and aluminum, as well as hollow, square aluminum. The purpose of the first part of the experiment was to directly analyze these options and determine which one would work the best in the chairs. There were three other materials not available, but still considered for use: Titanium, pure gold, and...
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...Cubicles are make shift offices that are usually in a larger open area with only walls and no doors or some have sliding glass doors. There is really no privacy when it comes to cubicles and you need to be mindful of the noise because other employees can here you. Also, with cubicles there are some rules you should follow or be aware of to make sure your time working for the company doesn’t get you or anyone in trouble. Some rules in cubical etiquette: 1. Ensure confidentiality and privacy. I believe that this rule is important because you or your coworker might have some confidential items that he/she is working on that no one should see. Also while working in cubicles you should not leave any type of items on your computer visible because anyone can walk by and see what you are doing. 2. Noise levels Employees should keep in mind that there are no soundproof walls and everyone can hear what you are saying, so you must use your inside voice at all times. Also, it is very important not to take personal calls because people can hear and listen to your private calls. Another important fact is to make sure the volume on all electronics should be kept very low. 3. Scents It is very important to be careful what you eat at your desk because the scents and travel and not everyone is comfortable with smelling certain foods or some people could be allergic to certain food. Also, make sure you keep up with personal hygiene because you’re in a closed in tight space smells can travel to...
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...Right 2.54 cm Left 2.54 cm Headings Follow logical sequence and format that reflects relative importance. Use a capital for the first letter only and do not underline or use a full stop. 1.0 Section heading 2.1 First subheading 2.2.1 Second subheading Numbering Numbers one through ten are to be written, exceptions include when numbers refer to percentages (5%), time of day (2:00 o’clock), or measurements ( 7 cm, 4 km). Numbers after 10 are to be written as numerals. Fonts Section headings Arial Black size 18 First Subheading Arial Black size 16 Second subheading Arial Black size 14 Body text Arial size 12 Spacing Two spaces after each sentence 2 spaces when indenting for a paragraph. White Space Write so that it is as easy as possible to read and maintain. Adding white space in the form of blank lines, spaces, and indentation will significantly improve the readability of your document. The reference section should be double-spaced. Bullets Use the following bullets: * First level not indented. * Second level, indented at 0.63 cm. * Third level, indented at 1.27 cm. | Title:(Name of) Policy | Version | 1.0 | TRIM file number |...
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