And people get ill more often in open workspaces (versus cubicles).
I'm still going to opt for (at least semi-)open workspaces though. Despite the downsides, they encourage communication a lot and it also feels more relaxed. I think most of us know how often a lack of communication is the cause of trouble.
I think what feels more relaxed depends on the person in question. Many introverts like myself feel a lot more comfortable in an enclosed workspace, and thus, productivity is also increased.
Exactly. People who can work at coffee shops find it natural and relaxing to work in an open office but I never work at coffee shops because its noisy,distracting and i don't drink coffee :)
There is a big difference between 'open workspaces', emphasising the plural, and 'open office plan'.
Putting teams (either functional or cross-functional project-based) of 3-6 people each in an open workspace is great for communication. On the other hand, putting a whole office floor as a single open workspace will simply kill productivity and discourage communication because either people will be isolated in headphones so they don't hear their neighbor, or people will avoid discussions there ('let's get a meeting room') so as not to disturb others.
Man, I must be showing my age, because I remember a time when everyone hated cubicles - they were tiny, cramped, and almost always drab. In fact, I always thought the modern open-plan workspace was a response towards the backlash against cubicles.
Comments
And people get ill more often in open workspaces (versus cubicles).
I'm still going to opt for (at least semi-)open workspaces though. Despite the downsides, they encourage communication a lot and it also feels more relaxed. I think most of us know how often a lack of communication is the cause of trouble.
I think what feels more relaxed depends on the person in question. Many introverts like myself feel a lot more comfortable in an enclosed workspace, and thus, productivity is also increased.
Exactly. People who can work at coffee shops find it natural and relaxing to work in an open office but I never work at coffee shops because its noisy,distracting and i don't drink coffee :)
There is a big difference between 'open workspaces', emphasising the plural, and 'open office plan'.
Putting teams (either functional or cross-functional project-based) of 3-6 people each in an open workspace is great for communication. On the other hand, putting a whole office floor as a single open workspace will simply kill productivity and discourage communication because either people will be isolated in headphones so they don't hear their neighbor, or people will avoid discussions there ('let's get a meeting room') so as not to disturb others.
Man, I must be showing my age, because I remember a time when everyone hated cubicles - they were tiny, cramped, and almost always drab. In fact, I always thought the modern open-plan workspace was a response towards the backlash against cubicles.
I dislike both. Give me a private office with a door that closes any day.