Cubicles and open-plan offices have to go

News Type: none — Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:26 AM EST

I work in an open plan office; I have for 5 years now and let me tell you it doesn't get any better with time. I postulate that cubicle dwelling and the open plan "tech" office leads in fact to lower productivity levels due to absolute lack of privacy, incessant interruptions and a feeling of exposure. Don't get me wrong I really like my colleagues; I just can't stand their music, annoying cell phones, loud telephone conversations, finger tapping and whistling along to their latest song. I do a rather technical job which involves concentration and problem solving and these incessant interruptions make me want to tear my hair out or leap from my chair and throttle the latest offender.

The lack of privacy is a major problem on an ongoing basis, your cell phone goes and it's your wife – now you would like a little privacy but the generally busy work space has now suddenly gone quiet, you can hear a pin drop or a colleague's borborigmy at the other end of the office. So you politely ask if she'd hold while you find somewhere in the building where you can have a private conversation and then meander the halls for some unoccupied corner to chat in.

This week alone, I have had to endure no less than 5 heated conversations from three of my co-workers, one was fighting with his girlfriend, the other yelling at a car dealer over something that wasn't fixed and the last was overcharged on his cell phone activation and was rather upset. One of the ladies we work with has a wolf-whistle as an SMS alert and a southpark quote as the ring. When her phone goes you have to sit, wait and listen until she answers; this breaks all concentration and is perhaps one of the rudest violations of office etiquette I can imagine.

Being individuals, we all have completely different tastes and work methods. Some do in fact prefer the dynamism of the open office; they feel that it somehow activates unknown Feng-shui centers in the brain leading to all sorts of creativity and happiness. For me personally it leaves me cold.

I wish companies would stop swallowing the latest in pulp marketing and business strategy and use a little common sense. Properly segregate the office, give those who need quite and privacy the opportunity to have it. Those who want to congregate like jabbering half-starved seals – by all means.

Just don't mix them up or you could end up with less rather then more.

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{"commentId":15253,"authorDomain":"edwards"}

Edward Sebastian

So you've indentified a problem...but what about a solution? What is something that businesses could do instead? Maybe have part of the office open and another part cubicled?

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#1 - Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:28 AM EST

{"commentId":15262,"authorDomain":"ThoughtMenagerie"}

Stuart Forsyth

I think the thing to do is identify appropriate working areas suited to different roles and personalities. Very often companies enforce an open plan environment for a variety of reasons; it lowers costs, managers can keep an eye on what is happening and it makes most efficient use of space. But in my opinion there are very few business models where people have to be in close proximity – perhaps for a call center operation it makes sense.

So yes separate areas in the office are are a good start, a sales department might function better in an open plan environment where creativity and energy are important but it should ideally not be enforced for everyone.

The other point I was trying to make is that should you have to work in such an environment then there should be some ground rules of professional courtesy. Turn your cell phone onto a silent setting, don't scream and shout on the phone and be aware that although you have your own space, your actions impact on everyone else.

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#2 - Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:59 AM EST

{"commentId":15501,"authorDomain":"edwards"}

Edward Sebastian

That's a good idea but would have some complications. Most people would elect to work in a cubicle (if they were asked) because they like their privacy, even if they do think open plans are a good idea. You couldn't do personality evaluations because then the people in the cubicles would be seen as the fortunate workers. I'm just curious as to how you could properly establish having both in the same place...most might just look at it as an all or nothing, one or the other. I think what jumps out to me most is having individual departments as open plan, that would create the least friction.

Yeah, I'm actually surprised that cell phones were going off where you work. Even if that's not corporate policy, isn't it basic human decency to at least set it to vibrate? And if you have to take the call, go to the break room!!

I think you definitely made some good points here.

{"commentId":15501,"threadId":"2163","contentId":"73530","authorDomain":"edwards"}

#3 - Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:15 PM EST

{"commentId":15511,"authorDomain":"Subatomic"}

Benjamin Howell

There is a very famous and well respected (especially in the software development world) book written about this very topic. Peopleware - Authors: Tom Demarco and /www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Timothy Lister&rank=-relevance,+availability,-daterank/104-7072188-6214335">Timothy Lister

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#4 - Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:33 PM EST

{"commentId":15536,"authorDomain":"nbxtalk"}

Scott Hanson

This is another reason for telecommuting. I am an engineer and my desk is in the lab where all our servers are, so it extremely noisy for me there. Luckily my job is installing the IP-based telephone system we sell. I have a software based VOIP phone that works through my VPN connection so I can from my house and get more done there without any distractions.

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#5 - Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:51 PM EST

{"commentId":15767,"authorDomain":"rwfaught"}

R.W. Faught

There's a simple solution for the cell phones. Policy: Cell phones must be kept on silent mode. Simple as that. Violations obviously will be tolerated to a degree, but it should be made clear during several scheduled and ad-hoc meetings that the company does not allow people to have intrusive ringers on their cell-phones. It should be fairly easy to convince co-workers who insist that "Gold Digga" is a necessity for incoming communication notification that keeping in good standing with their co-workers and managers is more important.

{"commentId":15767,"threadId":"2163","contentId":"73530","authorDomain":"rwfaught"}

#6 - Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:54 AM EST

{"commentId":16037,"authorDomain":"beehive"}

thoughtful

The problem is that open plan offices appear less expensive to managers..
But the creativity of staff working in optimum conditions is not appreciated.
This may be why smaller companies can be much more productive.

{"commentId":16037,"threadId":"2163","contentId":"73530","authorDomain":"beehive"}

#7 - Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:15 PM EST

{"commentId":3667833,"authorDomain":"katejparry99"}

ojibwa

I work in an open plan office with only 10 of us in it. The bosses have their own office where they can keep the door open but close it if required. We do not have dividers or cubicles just desk amongst one another. Everyone has a different role to play with a few crossovers. Voices are loud, characters are strong, personalities are very mixed, the radio is on a 'pop' channel 24/7 and we are ALL women! Personally I agree with stuart. I too find I am less productive in this environment. I am not saying I want my own office (although would be wonderful) but I certainly need a space that is away from all of this. I don't need to be a team player as my role is soley me. I need peace and quiet. I am not allowed to work from home. I am not even allowed a divider. Frustrated.

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#8 - Fri Oct 24, 2008 6:50 AM EDT

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STUART FORSYTH

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Cubicles and open-plan offices have to go

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