In teaching you talk about time on task, and how to get everyone in the classroom to focus on the work.
The open office environment can work in certain circumstances (roles) but if you are paying someone to focus on work, then provide them with an environment where they can focus on the work.
At least these days, ear phones that subdue external sounds are available and folks can usually figure out how to block visual distractions.
"Orbiting the Gaint Hairball" has a good example of someone setting up an office that is outside of corporate guidelines that serves the people that work in it.
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My $.02 on this.
In teaching you talk about time on task, and how to get everyone in the classroom to focus on the work.
The open office environment can work in certain circumstances (roles) but if you are paying someone to focus on work, then provide them with an environment where they can focus on the work.
At least these days, ear phones that subdue external sounds are available and folks can usually figure out how to block visual distractions.
"Orbiting the Gaint Hairball" has a good example of someone setting up an office that is outside of corporate guidelines that serves the people that work in it.