work environment

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Do you find an open office environment more, or less, conducive to enabling focused thought? Given the choice, which one would you prefer?

Workforce Planning
Work Environment
Thinking Outside The Box
Productivity Improvement
Robert Faller
62 months ago

7 answers

2

Open work environment is good if you have -

  1. Less people in the space say 10-15
  2. All the people belong to same project or team
  3. Meetings areas are separate then work space.


This is a very popular these days in agile and digital acceleration kind of work environment, If above 3 factors are met, I have no issues against open work environment.

Hitesh Mathpal
62 months ago
Agreed - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
1

An open office environment should still have certain zones that are dedicated for different types of work or interaction. For instance

  • Quiet zones: no talking, no calls
  • Talking zones: take calls here, meet colleagues here
  • Creative Zones: white boards, high tables etc. Whatever generates creativity


Then these spaces can be very effective, and cheaper to maintain. To me, the advantage of working in such a space is that sound / conversations in bulk are easier to block than individual noises you may be exposed to in your secluded environment.

Bart Groenewoud
62 months ago
It is generational. - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
We've gone from cubicles - to open space - and now the M trend is back to cubicals - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
True - Bart 62 months ago
I know - - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
AKA: "safe space" - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
yes, taht is what triggered my question - I have seen that open environments are quickly going into disfavor. Things always seem to go in circles, don't they? - Robert 62 months ago
YEP - Why I never get concerned about cultural changes - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
1

It's more about discipline than environment. If one can't focus then cubicle or open plan won't make much difference.

David Cottrell
62 months ago
RobertFThanks, David - one question. One added question - have you worked in both environments? Thanks!aller@yourencore.com - Robert 62 months ago
Yes. There are pros and cons to both. I now work in splendid isolation at my home office. PJs standard business attire! - David 62 months ago
Sounds perfect! RobertFaller@yourencore.com - Robert 62 months ago
Just do the job hired for! - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
1

Robert - I've worked in both open office layout and in a private office. In my line of work (CHRO), the conversations I have routinely require privacy (benefits, compensation, employee or manager issues) which necessitate me in a private space. I find it more efficient to work in an office rather than slog back and forth between cubicle and conference room. Additionally, I have sequestered the HR team so that all have private space when speaking to employees.

The open office layout is increasingly being challenged as disruptive, not accommodating to those who need more privacy or quiet for their work and those more introverted. I find a combination of open, collaboration space coupled with work space that affords some degree of privacy to be optimal.

Jeanette K. Winters
62 months ago
OK: so it depends? - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
Leading edge design thinkers will tell us that collaboration space (not open office working) is the way to go. I am a realist and know that money usually drives these decisions/choices. If you can afford it, go cubicle or office coupled with space which encourages collaboration. - Jeanette K. 62 months ago
Good hybrid thoughts and solutions - Dr. David E. 62 months ago
1

I worked in a “Google-like” open office in Silicon Valley. Even if you can focus in this environment, there are a lot of people who don’t want to hear your conversation with co-workers. I found it to be disruptive and lead to a lack of diversity in thought by stifling open conversation.

Greg Wyman
62 months ago
0

Now companies are moving to open space with not assigned desks. It is important to have just one team per area but some meeting rooms available in case of confidential meeting or phone call. It can work, it cannot, it is based on matter of respect.

Paolo Beffagnotti
62 months ago
0

In addition to the constant murmur of voices in an open office space, many companies play music into the room. This adds a second level of noise that one's brain has to filter out.

Studies by Harvard Business School professor Ethan Bernstein show that people wear/buy noise cancelling headphones so they actually interact less than they would if they had cubicles. Also, the stress levels increase dramatically because people feel they are being observed all the time.

Ellen Raim
62 months ago

Have some input?