An office is a room, several rooms, or a building where people do non-manual work. The term ‘office’ may also refer to a public position of authority or service. For example “She assumed the office of Prime Minister last week.”
Companies may have just one office, or one main office and several branch offices. We often refer to the main one as its headquarters. We also refer to it as the head office.
Offices are where people do professional, commercial, or bureaucratic work. Bureaucratic work refers to civil service or government departmental work.
In North America, people use the term for the consulting room of a professional service. For example, patients see their doctors at their offices. In British English, however, people see their doctors at their surgery.
In many countries, people use the term for a particular government agency or department. For example, in the UK, people say the ‘Foreign Office‘ instead of the Ministry of the Exterior or the Department of State.
We also use the term when somebody does a service for somebody else. For example: “John was rescued through the good offices of the Japanese Ambassador, and is now safely back home.”
Office work spaces
We use office work spaces for writing, reading, telephoning, conferencing, and computer work. In fact, there are several generic types of work space. Below is a description of nine of them.
Private office
This is where just one person works. It is suitable for confidential work. It is also ideal for activities that demand a lot of concentration.
Shared office
This is an enclosed work space where two or three people work. It is suitable for collaborative work in small groups and a medium level of concentration.
Open office
This is an open work space where at least ten people work. This type of work space is ideal for activities that demand relatively little concentration. Open plan work spaces are also suitable for activities that require routine activities and frequent communication.
Team room
This is a room where four to ten people work. It is ideal for confidential teamwork. Team rooms are also useful if the work requires a lot of internal communication.
Team space
This is a semi-enclosed area where two to eight employees work. It is ideal for teamwork. In other words, work that demands a medium level of concentration and frequent internal communication.
Cubicle
Just one person works in a cubicle. It is a semi-enclosed area that is suitable for medium concentration. Cubicles are also suitable for work that demands medium interaction.
Study booth
This is an enclosed space where one person works. It is ideal for short-term work which requires confidentiality. Study booths are also good if the work requires a lot of concentration.
Work lounge
This is a room that looks like a lounge where two to six people work. It is suitable for work in an informal setting that requires collaboration and spontaneous interaction.
Small meeting room
This is a room for up to four people. People use it for either informal or formal meetings.
Large meeting room
This is a large room where up to twelve people can meet. Meetings in this kind of room are formal.
Small meeting space
This is either a semi-open or completely open space where two to four people meet. People use it for informal meetings.
Large meeting space
Up to twelve people can meet in a large meeting space. People use it for short, informal meetings.
Meeting point
People use a meeting point for ad hoc, informal meetings. It can typically accommodate up to four people.
The term ‘office’ can also refer to people. If I say “We had a happy office until John came,” I mean the employees were happy.