A workplace is a location or environment where individuals perform their job duties for an employer. The specific characteristics of workplaces can vary widely across industries. Well-equipped workplaces are essential for enabling effective work performance. Workplaces can be on-site, mobile, or fully remote.
Essentially, any location where individuals work to accomplish tasks or provide services can be considered a workplace.
Types of workplaces
Types of workplaces can range from a factory to an office building or remote home office.
Factory
- Factory workers work on the production line equipped with machines and tools. Factory workers operate with these tools and must know how to use them.
Store
- Retail employees commonly work indoors in various types of stores. Store employees often directly interact with customers.
Outdoor location
- Many industries require people to work outdoors. The workplace and work environment for outdoors varies.
Office
- Office workers are usually backoffice employees or people working in service industries. Offices are located in buildings.
Virtual, remote workplace, home office
- Virtual offices allow people to work remotely. Virtual workplaces are for service industry or back-office workers and require collaboration software.
Workplace equipment and business efficiency
- Workplaces help businesses deliver their products or services to consumers in an efficient way and therefore have to be properly equipped
- Workplaces must be safe for the performance of work
- Workplace equipment is usually described in the job requirements and employees must take possession of the equipment during onboarding
- Workplaces have to be maintained in accordance with facility management principles
- The workplace must comply with legal and other requirements.