Committee endorses purchase of a single 'quiet room' phone booth as a test in county facilities

The DuPage County Public Works Committee agreed to have Facilities Management purchase one phone-booth-style "quiet room" to pilot as a private space for brief phone calls or to provide a quiet area for employees who need a short respite.

Facilities staff described the unit as a delivered pod with a fan, occupancy lights, a chair and privacy film for the glass; staff would include the pod in housekeeping rotation and security would monitor usage. The proposed location is the atrium outside the Facilities Management office (near the bridge/atrium area), and staff said the unit has wheels so it can be relocated if needed. Staff estimated the all-in cost at about $6,000–$7,000 for the test unit.

Committee members raised concerns about potential misuse and suggested usage parameters; one member recommended time limits and guidelines so employees do not occupy the pod for lengthy periods. A member also asked whether the pod would substitute for lactation rooms; staff replied it would not — the county already has lockable lactation rooms in building 421 and other buildings and this pod would be intended only for short private phone calls or momentary privacy. Members noted they had seen similar rooms in municipal and private-sector settings and supported a one-unit pilot to collect usage data.

No formal roll-call motion was recorded; the committee sought and reached informal consensus to purchase a single unit for testing and to revisit results in a future meeting.

Ending: Staff said they will test usage and, if successful, may propose additional pods or larger rooms in future budgets.