‘New-look’ office cools tempers

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 10

‘New-look’ office cools tempers

PA Auckland A carpeted floor, pictures on the walls and piped music have put an end to fights in the Social Welfare Department office in Auckland. Since the department’s reception area was redecorated last October, fights between beneficiaries and assaults on staff have become rare. Before the redecoration, beneficiaries waited for service in small, cramped and gloomy rooms. There was vinyl on the floor, drab decor, one long counter and huge queues. The department’s Auckland regional director, Mr Robin Wilson, said offensive

language and personal insults to staff were common. There was also damage to property. Mr Wilson said that people had put x their feet through glass doors and thrown plant boxes round the office. Beneficiaries sometimes felt intimidated by young people behind the counter and the department had since tried to employ older people for the job, he said. An Auckland psychologist, Professor Graham Vaughan, said that it was well known that the more thought and care put into a place the less damage would occur. “People respect a nice place more,” said Professor Vaughan.