By The Editor
The modern open plan office space has often been trumpeted as a way for businesses to (literally) break down walls of communication between employees. But a recent article has reported that some companies are now teaching employees “open plan etiquette” in an effort to keep the peace.
The need for this workplace training in manners follows suggestions from psychologists that the modern office design creates unnecessary distractions, which can impact productivity.
In the article, Organisational Psychologist, Dr. Darryl Cross says:
People can’t feel free, open and relaxed. If they have to watch who is around and watch their calls then clearly they are not going to feel good… When you have a distraction, it takes you 50 per cent more time to get back to it. [Employees] can’t work in such an environment.
While this holds some weight, the need to educate staff on how to conduct themselves appropriately and make use of the benefits of these office layouts goes a long way in minimising issues leading to distraction.
Do you believe open plan improves communication and cooperation within an office, or distracts staff and decreases productivity?
There are many interesting perspectives on this issue, so let us know what you think.
Are walls overrated? Is privacy the key to productivity?
Be sure to cast your vote in our online poll and/or expand on your opinion by leaving a comment.
Stay tuned for the results, next week!
December 15, 2009 at 7:07 am |
I think open plan work places are extremely distracting, especially when phones are part of the work duties as having to listen to someone explain the same things over and over again begins to grate on ones nerves by the end of the day. Concentration goes and before you know it you are talking to someone just to distract your mind from all the other distractions around keeping you from your work. Also do not discount the effect of having your back towards people approaching you. this can leave you feeling exposed, threatened and spooked because you can’t see who is approaching you nor do you often know anyone is there if you are engrossed in your task and it can be quite frightening to have them speak to you all of a sudden. Management never have to exprience this as they have an office with a desk between them and the door! Open plan may allow more people into a work space but it does not mean there is more work being done nor does it make for a closer work force as many can’t wait to get away from those who have annoyed them all day!
January 21, 2010 at 4:19 pm |
Brilliant points. Open plans (& offices with thin walls) create distractions. It needs the right kind of people & environment to work well.
January 18, 2010 at 2:28 pm |
Janet’s right, from my experience in two different open-plan offices. I have two other issues, even though my open plan office only has three people, two of who belong to a different department to me. They are great people, and good for a chat (once in a while is okay?!?!) In my role, other staff often need to speak with me confidentially, either in person or by phone – listening ears nearby. The other is someone playing music loud enough for me to hear, it’s not just that I don’t like the music, but I’m not a working-to-music type, more of an in-the-zone type.