Working Life in Oxford

The chapter relates the developments in the working environment of OUP staff, concentrating on the Oxford buildings, and assessing what impact the alterations and expansions to the physical space of the Press had on the people who worked there. New buildings allowed the concentration of publishing activities in one location after the closure of the London Business and the Printing House; the redevelopment of Walton Street introduced a new staff restaurant, museum, library, and conference facilities as well as new offices, making the site a showplace for visitors and providing staff with a large democratic space. These changes were paralleled by changes to the structure of the Press, which required and were driven by the growing professionalism of the staff, particularly within administration, human resources, and marketing. OUP has always encouraged an active social life for its staff and the chapter highlights some of their sporting, musical, and dramatic activities.