INFLUENCE OF OFFICE ENVIRONMENT ON THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF OFFICE WORKERS

1.1 Introduction

Office environment is one of the most important components which influence employee performance within an organizational setting. In today’s competitive business environment, monetary benefit a alone are not enough for employees in order achieve higher performance levels. Employees are working in insecure and unhealthy environment pretentious occupational disease due to the negative influences of the environment on their performance, which affects the overall productivity of the organization (Chandrasekar, 2011). However, a combination of monetary and nonmonetary rewards is more effective in achieving higher levels of employee performance, which leads towards achievement of organizational goals. As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The efficiency of office employees is directly or indirectly affected by the conditions under which they are required to do their work which affect the performances of workers and the achievement of organizational objectives for this purpose, this study will focus its attention on the impact of poor office environment on the job performance of office workers in an organization.

Egbe and Ejiofor (2007) defined office as a place where clerical activities take place. In a clear statement, the office is a service delivery unit of an organization; such services may include secretarial, clerical, accounting and research duties. These are vital duties that complement or facilitate the work of executives that complement or facilitate the work of executives of an organization. An office reflects the company's value, attitude and wealth, an office is the company's handful image for both the workers and visitors and it provides the stage on which the more active element of the company performs for their customers, staff and community. Above all, an office is designed to stimulate environments that encourage activity.

Pillai (2005) defines an office as a place where records for the purpose of control, planning and efficient management of the organization are prepared, handled and preserved.

Therefore, an office cannot be defined without the knowledge of its environment. An office environment is a business community where socio-economic or business activities are performed with a view to achieve organizational goals. It should be known that every business system lies within an environment in enhancing work motivation and job satisfaction is necessary in all organization. An organizational management should look into work motivation and conducive environment as antidote for enhancing productivity and influences the amount of work interest and happiness of workers. The office environment are consisted of office building, furniture and layout, lighting, good ventilation, color decoration, sound and physical conditioning in which workers operate under a safety measure.

Therefore, in Abeokuta metropolis where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Working Environment on the Performance of Secretary in the Organization.

1.3 Statement of Problems

It is a fact that human beings are one important resources available to the organizational and prove to pressure and influences such as noise, poor lighting and unsuitable work tools as this always creates discomfort in the work place and tend to urge the employees to seek more suitable conditions outside the work station. These conditions which are harmful to their health and moral being results in physical and mental fatigue, in other words it result to inefficiency.

The general working environment of most Nigeria office with particular references to Abeokuta metropolis is subjected to utter neglects.

1. The workers or employees have a negative attitude towards their jobs which is manifested in gross irresponsibility, high rate of absenteeism and indiscipline.
2. The flow of communication between workers and management is inadequate.
3. Workers welfare is not taken care of or remuneration is nothing to write home about comparing it with the economic condition of the country.

Looking at these problems, one will quickly notice that workers rate of job performance and organizational hazards that might cause injury or death of workers are based on environment factors. It is the environment that will greatly motivate the workers to increase their job performance.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Effect of Working Environment on the Performance of Secretary in the Organization. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to find out:

1. The effect of office environment on the job performance of the office workers.
2. The effect of inadequate office furniture and fittings, modern machine on the job performance of workers.
3. The effect of good lighting, ventilation on the job performance of workers.
4. The impact of salary structure on the job performance of workers.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What are physical conditions that make up a good office environment?
• In what ways does a good office environment assist the office workers on their job performance?
• What impact do lighting and ventilation have on the performance of office worker?
• What is the impact of salary structure on the job performance of workers?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

• H0: There is no significant effect of Office Environment towards Job Performance of Office Workers
• H1: There is a significant effect of Office Environment towards Job Performance of Office Workers

1.7 Significance of Study

The research is to identify the importance of office environment, know the impact of environmental condition on the life of workers and also to fulfill the following:

1. To serve as criteria or form of references to workers in an organization.
2. To aid students who may wish to conduct research on project that relate to this topic.

1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Effect of Working Environment on the Performance of Secretary in the Organization in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

1.10 Operational Definition of Terms

• Absenteeism: The state of being absent, especially frequently or without good reason.
• Discipline: An enforced compliance or control.
• Efficiency: The extent to which time is well used for the intended task.
• Hazard: The chance of suffering harm, danger, risk of loss.
• Morale: This means the moral conditions of workers regarding discipline and confidence.
• Motivation: An incentive or reason for doing something.
• Performance: It is the act of performing, carrying into execution or action.
• Satisfaction: A fulfillment of a need or desire.
• Safety: The condition of being safe.

Welfare: Satisfactory state of motivation and maintaining workers by guiding them.