The firm I work for is moving offices and I'm the SRO overseeing the move.I want to put lots of features in to help the juniors out.So far I have come up with the following. I'd appreciate any ideas anyone may have for office facilities that, as a junior, you would want:- An "iPod Lounge" like a common room where there is plenty of equipment that you can take home to borrow if you want (I want the firm to invest heavily in this one)- Bike rack- Shower and changing rooms- Office for all staff if they want one (juniors included)- Good sized lockers- DVD library- TV? Or are you kids more into the internet these days?- Good phone reception in all areas- Plenty of private, quiet spaces where you can phone home and everythingAny other ideas?

At my client site they have a games room with pool tables, arcade machines, etc.Cashpoint if you have an onsite canteen that doesn't take cards or no nearby cashpoint is always handy.

Great ideas, thank you. So do they like playing pool and stuff like that? I guess it won't harm to get one and some arcade machines in too. In fact I think I'll suggest that the arcade machines are set to take coins but that we have a tub of coins situated next to each machine. I know some people will take the money but it's small change for a firm really and it sends out the signal that: a) we trust our staff, and b) if you take the money, then we'll assume you needed it and no questions will be asked (and then we'll top it up again). Will try and get an "X - BOX" and "Play Station" too (or whatever the popular ones are these days).I'll look into the cashpoint thing too, not sure how easy it is go get one of them but can definitely try.Thanks again for these suggestions

How big is your firm employee wise?As a partner, how much weight does your opinion have in creating this vision?

Sounds like an awesome firm to work for!This one is only little but a fridge with soft drinks and a fruit box. Always nice to come back to the office with drinks and snacks.

It's a fairly big company - big enough to have a sizeable office. I can pretty much decide what goes, basically I'm the SRO on this one and can just get on with it although I did set up a small advisory group to get people involved in the process and take at least some ownership too.

Hello Big Mac!Thank you for that excellent idea!I really, really like the idea of there being a good-sized fridge with soft drinks and a fruit box! You young people have it so difficult these days, and it's important to eat properly. As you're rushing around with your deadlines and busy personal lives, I understand that it can be difficult to take shortcuts and snack on sugary foods or convenience food. I'm going to look into this one properly. I think actually that we need more than just a fridge and fruit bowl type approach. You say that it's always nice to come back to the office with drinks and snacks, does that make a big difference to you then? What sort of drinks and snacks do you like? Healthy, convenience, or a mixture? I'd like to re-instate the tea trolley but with fruit and healthy snacks/sandwiches. We could call it the "Five A Day Round"! Reception ought to have a good supply too, that you can help yourself to when returning or leaving the office. These things cost hardly anything but I know can make a big difference to younger people especially who are smaller salaries and have large outgoings (rent and so on). They say people are a company's most valuable asset and in these tough times it's important that we take care of them, especially the younger ones that may be tempted to take short-cuts with their eating arrangements.Thanks again for this excellent idea!!

All the nutrionally balanced iBananas in the world aren't as important to juniors as getting mentoring time and being genuinely appreciated for effort and commitment. That said Bushy you are welcome to bring these features to my office.

yes I agree that the mentoring time is important but the truth is, these kids will do just fine nonetheless. They're bright and pick things up quickly. I always do as much mentoring as I can but my remit here is just the office move sadly.I'm always the one that sticks my neck on the line when the other partners are wanting to downsize. It's not popular, but they do need to be constantly reminded that the juniors are a very important part of the firm. They are our future and we need to look after them! They say people are a firm's greatest asset, so I say in that case why would we want to get rid of our assets when times are tough. In many cases I think the juniors should be mentoring the rest of us actually. They may not have the experience but they sure have the brains and the skills.

Troll.

Stop talking about your mom that way. ;-)

Probably. Sadly. But amusing.

how about a bowl of fruit flavoured condoms? after a 12 hour stretch in the office, I believe the youngsters like to unwind and team-bond with a little casual office rumpy pumpy, and this would play well to your five a day theme

rc "12 hour stretch" pretty much sums up life at my last firm.

do u mean 12 inch stretch

Yes, at my last firm, although we were full time at the client we always had to come back to the office for lunch time and after hours meetings and work on internal sutff so small consolation when there were sandwhiches, fruit and drinks for us otherwise I'd be snacking on Krispy Kremes I suppose.For the lunch and learn sessions they would alternate between Pizza and Pret sandwhiches.iPod lounge sounds cool but I'd most post people have all the gadgets. Definately showers with ghd's in the girls changing rooms!