By Andriana Simos.
You know you’re in an open-plan office when you have to hide your computer screen with the top half of your body just to read a sensitive email in privacy.
You know you’re in an open-plan office when you have to wait until 5.05pm to leave for the day just to avoid the judgement of your co-workers if you left, you know, a little early.
These open-plan offices have been introduced in almost every workplace in Australia. Many believe that they help workers work more collaboratively, develop meaningful relationships and cultivate a transparent culture. What’s more, people say these spaces will do WONDERS for your mental health… or will they? I investigate the pros and cons of open work environments to give you the lowdown on whether they are hot or not.
One of the main arguments in favour of open-plan offices is that you’re more likely to collaborate and connect with co-workers if you can actually see them. In fact, research has shown that people on the same floor are 57 percent more likely to collaborate than those who are not. Is this really true? Well open spaces do make it easier to ask for advice without having to intrude on closed doors and to bounce ideas off each other without leaving anyone out.
It sounds like a perfect scenario but does expectation really line up with reality? The answer is mixed. Current research reveals that workers are now actually 15% less productive, they have more trouble concentrating and they are also twice as likely to get sick.
“It’s inefficient. It’s a shame to waste people by not giving them a place that supports what they actually do,” Sally Augustin, an environmental and design psychologist, said to the BBC.
“People do talk to each other more, but they don’t talk to each other more about work-related things.”
This makes sense if you think about it- most people continue to book meeting rooms to brainstorm and discuss work topics. Why? Because they feel like they will focus more in a closed space rather than having to listen to their coworker’s personal phone conversations.
So what’s the answer? Is there a middle way? I think there is. It involves allowing employees to work from home. This model has proven to actually boost productivity and creativity. On top of that, there are fewer interruptions. I can tell you now, my only distraction at home would be the fridge (and that bowl of spaghetti bolognese I’m always talking about)!
*Originally published on BLLC*
Simos Standpoints 