In the field of workplace modernization, open office spaces are a strongly debated subject. Many companies owe their success to tearing down cubicle walls and shifting workers out of individual offices. Others argue that in order to perform their best job, people want privacy and isolation.
It's easy to become perplexed if your company is considering an open office concept or a change to a more community-oriented working atmosphere. Here's all you need to know about the open office concept pros and cons, as well as when this work style will help or hinder your company.
Pros of open office
- Engaging communication
Open offices are designed so that anyone with whomever you need to speak or interact with is only a short walk away. Employees can see each other, encouraging them to consider working as a team and urging them to involve their coworkers in company-related issues. Interpersonal communication at this level reduces misunderstandings and strengthens relationships among coworkers.
- Equal footing
Open offices also offer the advantage of placing all employees on an equal footing, regardless of job type or position. This demonstrates that no single aspect of the company is more important than the others. Managers are brought out of their secluded spaces and merged with the people they supervise in open offices.
- Exploring potential flexibility
Modern corporate settings are fast-paced and teeming with activity. A modern workforce must be able to act and respond in the same amount of time. Open office floor layouts promote agility and may be extremely advantageous to businesses that require dexterity. Open workplaces essentially break down barriers to action, whether it's mobilizing on a large project or getting together to cooperate swiftly.
Cons of open office
- No formal offices
There are no formal offices in an open office, and no one is given a seat. Instead, they choose a seat at a table or in an empty room and settle down for the day. Employees can move from one area to another all day using the "roaming desk" setup. Open offices, on the other hand, may come at the expense of privacy. In an open office setting, there is usually a sense of equality.
- Deterring productivity
The most common complaint of open office space is the constant amount of distractions that employees must deal with. The inability to shut off all of these distractions may lead to a variety of issues, including wandering attention, poor job quality, and a lack of desire, to name a few. Open office critics argued that some amount of isolation is required for employees to concentrate on their duties. This is impossible in an open office, where every sensation is constantly provoked.
- No privacy
Open offices give up a lot of privacy in exchange for better interpersonal interactions. Because of this lack of privacy, many employees feel constantly exposed and scrutinized. In an open office, there's also the issue of physical ownership. Sharing a desk can be unpleasant, and conversing with someone in the presence of uninterested coworkers can be embarrassing.
- Employees’ personality
For personality types that aren't good in large groups, forcing them to work in a shared environment can be risky. Dissenters are allowed to express their dissatisfaction with projects or expectations without concern for the sentiments of other employees. Introverts may struggle with the open office concept because they prefer privacy to social interaction. Social burnout is real for some people.
The ideal setup for your company will be determined by the nature of your business. Employees who must cooperate and think creatively (advertising executives, for example) often excel in more open environments. In a traditional setting, those who rely on having a single desk and private conversations (like attorneys) will do better. While the old phrase "If it ain't broke, don't repair it" applies when deciding whether or not to change your office layout, a strategic analysis of how a rearrangement of your office could improve productivity and performance is always useful.
IGO Furniture provides high-quality products and expert assistance in office layout planning and furniture customization. With over seven (7) years of experience, IGO Furniture is built on offering pointed solutions to our clients’ requirements giving utmost importance to their value for money, design, and lifestyle.
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