When planning the acquisition of new office space, it is important to consider how many square meters are necessary per person to ensure an efficient and comfortable working environment. Determining the amount of office space a company needs involves more than just meeting the minimum requirements set by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate. The need for space can vary depending on industry, work methods, and organizational culture. In today’s competitive job market, it is also crucial to create an attractive workplace that attracts and retains top talent. In this article, we will explore both the mandatory requirements and the more subtle factors that can contribute to making your office an appealing place to work.
What are the Labour Inspectorate’s requirements for office space?
The Norwegian Labour Inspectorate sets several requirements for office spaces to ensure that the working environment is safe and health-promoting for employees. It is important to ensure that the premises have adequate ventilation, good lighting, a comfortable temperature, and satisfactory noise and sound levels to prevent health issues. Workstations should be ergonomically designed with adjustable furniture, and access to necessary facilities such as meeting rooms, break rooms, and sanitary facilities is required. Regular maintenance and cleaning are also required to maintain a healthy work environment. According to the Working Environment Act and related regulations, there should be a minimum of 6 square meters of net working area per employee in an office environment. This includes the workstation, chair, and necessary work equipment but excludes common areas such as meeting rooms, kitchens, social areas, toilets, and other shared spaces.
But how does this apply to coworking and office sharing?
Coworking and office sharing involve multiple companies or freelancers sharing the same workspace, which can create challenges in meeting the Labour Inspectorate’s requirements. It is not uncommon for coworking and office sharing providers to deviate from the space requirements. For example, if it can be documented that it is rare for all workspaces to be used simultaneously, or that there is very good coverage of meeting rooms, quiet rooms, and social areas, some deviation from the 6 m² rule may be acceptable. To meet these requirements, coworking providers must ensure that the total area is sufficient for the number of users, often by implementing flexible workstations and common areas. Coworking spaces must also be managed to minimize noise and distractions to ensure a productive working environment for all users.
Gross and net square meters in office buildings
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as multiplying the number of employees by the standard of 6 m² per workstation to determine the total number of square meters a company needs to lease. n an office lease, it is often specified in the lease contract whether the offices are measured as gross (BTA) or net. Gross refers to the total area in the building attributed to your specific space, often based on a percentage distribution key. This means that all the square meters outside your office, such as areas for the staff restaurant, corridors, elevators, staircases, gym, changing rooms/showers, entrance lobby, etc., must also be paid for. This is the practice in Norway, but in countries like Sweden, tenants pay for net office space. herefore, rental prices in Sweden are significantly higher than in Norway because what companies pay per net square meter also covers the shared areas in the building. So, how do you determine how many gross square meters a company needs to lease? This is not straightforward, as all office buildings are different. There is a significant difference between a new, modern office building and an older building. It is important for the company to consider what is most important—whether you want as much space as possible for exclusive use for your money or if you are concerned about facilities outside the office, such as large common areas. It is also important to understand that different workspace concepts require different space sizes. The most common workspace concepts are open-plan, activity-based (a combination of open-plan and cellular offices), and cellular offices.
Contact a Scout advisor
Determining how many square meters of office space a company needs is a balance between meeting legal requirements and creating an attractive and functional workplace. By considering both the fundamental needs and the more subtle factors that contribute to employee well-being and productivity, you can ensure that your workplace is both compliant and appealing. We encourage you to contact one of our advisors for an informal discussion and assistance in finding the optimal solution for your specific needs.