Functionalitis is a very common condition, affecting up to 70% of the workforce in an organization. A sufferer of functionalitis is under the illusion that an office should have functional requirements only. Care should be taken when diagnosing the diseases as often the upper management including the CEO has been infected. The exact cause of functionalitis is still under debate, but it is believed that the roots can be traced to Frederik Taylor’s Scientific Management and Josef Stalin. (Stalin was admirer of Taylor and suffered from functionalitis, but in most books on Stalin his condition is called: a five year plan)
Symptoms:
The disease is extremely infectious and it will spread throughout a company infecting staff without discrimination. The sufferer will at an advanced stage of functionalitis isolate him or herself by creating a wall of boxes, stacks of paper and files. When the topic of removing documents, printers from the workplace is discussed sufferers will often violently oppose any change. Patients with functionalitis often have other types of mental disorders including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance abuse (usually excessive printing).
Treatment:
Only very drastic measures should be taken to root out functionalitis. Due to its high contamination it is useless trying to isolate individual patients. Due to it complex nature, functionalitis usually requires a comprehensive treatment plan including verbal and nonverbal communication about thoughts, feelings and emotions related to the work environment. Receiving support from the upper management and outside consultants is important because often patients with functionalitis are in denial and resist treatment, believing they do not need help.

Please contact us immediately if you think you and your organisation is suffering from Functionalitis