Down on Open Space Office!!! It is extremely difficult for human beings to go through an 8+ hour day with absolutely no privacy. Furthermore, this layout does not work well for employees with ADHD, hearing problems, telephone users, and anyone who needs total concentration in order to perform on an average basis. Collaborating is great, teamwork can't be beat, but disturbing noises and distracting movements just undermine the team collaboration. My suggestion is that if there is a team that absolutely needs to work in an open office then they should be "corralled" in their own room (with a ceiling). Otherwise separate offices or two employees to an office is ideal; cubicles are okay but there can still be noisy, distracting employees. There are many research observations on open office space and every single one of them does not agree with it.
No matter what the situation, respect, consideration, professionalism and a good attitude should always be present.
NRG - 11 years ago
I believe in being innovative and progressive that wl help any organization ramp up their output and gain a better position in their market place. My only concern with an 'open' no walls, no offices, no doors work space is that it doesn't support the diverse work styles between an introvert and an extrovert. It's almost like an extrovert lobbied the CEOs everywhere to support this new kind of work force in a vacuum. I would be very critical of the surveys if there wasn't a mix of introverts and extroverts appropriately balanced.
R. Joy Stewart - 11 years ago
Open shared work spaces are very over-rated. Why go through all the trouble of battling through tuning out noise, trying to stay focused, etc. when the "collaborative" benefit is so limited comparatively speaking. Collaboration can still be conducted in either your office or mine, when needed. I think people are far more productive if they have an unfettered space to call their own. Especially for those who are in sales.
Sal - 11 years ago
Though I voted for an open-space environment, I have reservations about this choice. I have worked in this type of space and it has been horrible, and then, at other jobs, very useful and productive.
Tips:
Don't have your chair with the back facing a door or open access space. It's too vulnerable.
Use an air purifier, or some subliminal sound, to mask conversations around you.
If having a private conversation, have a room or private space available for this. Whispering also makes those around you feel uncomfortable, and vulnerable.
Watch your voice on the phone....we all tend to raise our voices then.
Have a central space where all can meet together...not just cubbies, or rows of desks. A social/work space is conducive to collegial teamwork.
Be sure there is natural light for all. Windows are vital.
Make sure the demeanor of the office is generally understood, and followed by all.
Good design aids in this. I've worked in a scholarly, think tank environment, that was masterly in its design and as productive as any office I've ever been in , and I've a broad experience of these spaces.
For me it's got to be my home office. While I do like having an office to go to, I find that I get a ton more done when I work from home. I roll out of bed, check email and get to work and before I know it, it's noon and most of my "to-do" list is banged out. Having said that, I don't think I'd want to work from home ALL the time but having a job where I have the ability to choose when I do is ideal for me. Particularly when I have deadlines looming and tasks that are either repetitive or require intense concentration - both which are disrupted by the noise and interruptions inherent in today's open office atmosphere. Note too that recent research on introversion and extroversion support the idea that true creativity is hampered by the open office environment as creativity comes from a place of quiet introspection. Yes, there's a place for brainstorming but only after people have had a chance to do some individual brainstorming of their own. See "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain.
I own a real estate / rental company which requires a presence visible to the street traffic. However, the overhead cost of keeping an office open during these economical times and real estate market conditions (especially in my geographical area), doesn't always make financial sense. Most real estate sales and rental inquiries are done by internet and appointment. After all, they aren't "here" yet. Customers are making their arrangements from a distance. They are searching, making sales appointments to look at property, and reserving rental stays online. It seems the virtual real estate/rental office may eliminate the need for a physical office as our appointments are always in the field. It could be much more financially reasonable to utilize billboards and rent local sidewalk space to exhibit signs and marketing material.
Walk in traffic does like the "touchy-feely" attention but the walk ins are not common and general do not result in revenue. It seems to be online business is the money maker that results in appointments, sales, reservations, and revenue.
Hollie M - 11 years ago
I work in an open office with all men and I do not mind it. We are all engineers and are generally quiet and respectful workers. As the manager I have a little more control over the space than a standard employee in an open office, but it has worked great for my team. Although the accounting office comprised of 75% women is also an open office space, and I would go crazy in there. The chatter and lack of quiet would be a huge distraction. I think that the type of work and type of employee makes a huge impact on the type of office space allowable. Engineering is a sharing enviroment so the open space can work well, while accounting does not need the open availablitiy to see and hear everyone.
Marsha Koehler - 11 years ago
I set up my computer myself at home. I worked at home for 3 years and then they brought me back in. I loved the calm, familiar surroundings and I could turn on lights or keep it dark. I also preferred a darker monitor screen with light letters. I loved that lunch and a coffee break were right there, too. I got up and did my 8,more than others did. When I worked in a hospital, there were always interruptions and could be very much less productive. I loved that we could have "short cuts" on MS Office and I had my "many short cuts". I was accurate (no distractions) and did a lot of work! I am organized at work, so had a file cabinet next to the desk where I would put new word list, idiosyncrasies of a certain doctor. If our equipment failed,
we would call in and take it to IT to fix, while working in the office that day at someone else's desk. I found it very rewarding and a good experience.
Down on Open Space Office!!! It is extremely difficult for human beings to go through an 8+ hour day with absolutely no privacy. Furthermore, this layout does not work well for employees with ADHD, hearing problems, telephone users, and anyone who needs total concentration in order to perform on an average basis. Collaborating is great, teamwork can't be beat, but disturbing noises and distracting movements just undermine the team collaboration. My suggestion is that if there is a team that absolutely needs to work in an open office then they should be "corralled" in their own room (with a ceiling). Otherwise separate offices or two employees to an office is ideal; cubicles are okay but there can still be noisy, distracting employees. There are many research observations on open office space and every single one of them does not agree with it.
No matter what the situation, respect, consideration, professionalism and a good attitude should always be present.
I believe in being innovative and progressive that wl help any organization ramp up their output and gain a better position in their market place. My only concern with an 'open' no walls, no offices, no doors work space is that it doesn't support the diverse work styles between an introvert and an extrovert. It's almost like an extrovert lobbied the CEOs everywhere to support this new kind of work force in a vacuum. I would be very critical of the surveys if there wasn't a mix of introverts and extroverts appropriately balanced.
Open shared work spaces are very over-rated. Why go through all the trouble of battling through tuning out noise, trying to stay focused, etc. when the "collaborative" benefit is so limited comparatively speaking. Collaboration can still be conducted in either your office or mine, when needed. I think people are far more productive if they have an unfettered space to call their own. Especially for those who are in sales.
Though I voted for an open-space environment, I have reservations about this choice. I have worked in this type of space and it has been horrible, and then, at other jobs, very useful and productive.
Tips:
Don't have your chair with the back facing a door or open access space. It's too vulnerable.
Use an air purifier, or some subliminal sound, to mask conversations around you.
If having a private conversation, have a room or private space available for this. Whispering also makes those around you feel uncomfortable, and vulnerable.
Watch your voice on the phone....we all tend to raise our voices then.
Have a central space where all can meet together...not just cubbies, or rows of desks. A social/work space is conducive to collegial teamwork.
Be sure there is natural light for all. Windows are vital.
Make sure the demeanor of the office is generally understood, and followed by all.
Good design aids in this. I've worked in a scholarly, think tank environment, that was masterly in its design and as productive as any office I've ever been in , and I've a broad experience of these spaces.
For me it's got to be my home office. While I do like having an office to go to, I find that I get a ton more done when I work from home. I roll out of bed, check email and get to work and before I know it, it's noon and most of my "to-do" list is banged out. Having said that, I don't think I'd want to work from home ALL the time but having a job where I have the ability to choose when I do is ideal for me. Particularly when I have deadlines looming and tasks that are either repetitive or require intense concentration - both which are disrupted by the noise and interruptions inherent in today's open office atmosphere. Note too that recent research on introversion and extroversion support the idea that true creativity is hampered by the open office environment as creativity comes from a place of quiet introspection. Yes, there's a place for brainstorming but only after people have had a chance to do some individual brainstorming of their own. See "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain.
I own a real estate / rental company which requires a presence visible to the street traffic. However, the overhead cost of keeping an office open during these economical times and real estate market conditions (especially in my geographical area), doesn't always make financial sense. Most real estate sales and rental inquiries are done by internet and appointment. After all, they aren't "here" yet. Customers are making their arrangements from a distance. They are searching, making sales appointments to look at property, and reserving rental stays online. It seems the virtual real estate/rental office may eliminate the need for a physical office as our appointments are always in the field. It could be much more financially reasonable to utilize billboards and rent local sidewalk space to exhibit signs and marketing material.
Walk in traffic does like the "touchy-feely" attention but the walk ins are not common and general do not result in revenue. It seems to be online business is the money maker that results in appointments, sales, reservations, and revenue.
I work in an open office with all men and I do not mind it. We are all engineers and are generally quiet and respectful workers. As the manager I have a little more control over the space than a standard employee in an open office, but it has worked great for my team. Although the accounting office comprised of 75% women is also an open office space, and I would go crazy in there. The chatter and lack of quiet would be a huge distraction. I think that the type of work and type of employee makes a huge impact on the type of office space allowable. Engineering is a sharing enviroment so the open space can work well, while accounting does not need the open availablitiy to see and hear everyone.
I set up my computer myself at home. I worked at home for 3 years and then they brought me back in. I loved the calm, familiar surroundings and I could turn on lights or keep it dark. I also preferred a darker monitor screen with light letters. I loved that lunch and a coffee break were right there, too. I got up and did my 8,more than others did. When I worked in a hospital, there were always interruptions and could be very much less productive. I loved that we could have "short cuts" on MS Office and I had my "many short cuts". I was accurate (no distractions) and did a lot of work! I am organized at work, so had a file cabinet next to the desk where I would put new word list, idiosyncrasies of a certain doctor. If our equipment failed,
we would call in and take it to IT to fix, while working in the office that day at someone else's desk. I found it very rewarding and a good experience.