For many white-collar workers, the concept of heading to work and sitting in an isolated, closed-off cubicle or office for several hours a day can be somewhat suffocating. The desire for laid-back, workspaces that banish the threat of claustrophobic walls, and facilitate communication between coworkers is the primary reason why almost 70 percent of all Americans currently work in offices with an open-space floorplan. However, the open-concept office might not be quite the breath of fresh air that we thought it was.
In fact, while you may well achieve the cool, relaxed vibe you’ve been searching for, chances are that you’ll also see a significant dip in your levels of productivity, your health, and even your sense of job satisfaction. Sure, you get the interaction and communication that helps workspace relationships thrive, but you also deal with the uncontrollable disruptiveness of constant chatter, and the concerns associated with lost privacy. Add in the fact that a single office-based cold could be enough to quarantine the entire office, and you’re facing some pretty significant downsides. So what are the most prominent dilemmas associated with an open office space? Do the pros outweigh the cons? Let’s find out!
A lack of professional focus
Although an open office plan may help workers feel less restricted at work – studies provided by the Center for the Built Environment (CBE), discovered that open-plan offices failed to match the performance levels of closed, or private office spaces in terms of productivity and concentration. Research provided by the 2013 Workplace Survey conducted by Gensler’s discovered that 53 percent of all employees find themselves distracted by other workers when dealing with a specific task. Additionally, previous research has shown that noise distraction results in productivity levels being cut in half in open-plan offices, compared to private offices.
Rather than boosting concentration and creativity within the workplace, it seems that coworker interaction causes employees to place less focus on the task at hand — meaning they take twice as long to complete a simple or routine assignment.
Solitude inspires creativity
Although it may be reasonable to suggest that bringing staff members together to work as one big team facilitates new ideas and inspires creativity within the workplace, the evidence suggests otherwise. Plenty of people need quiet, and uninterrupted time to focus on their tasks and produce their best work – in fact, around 77 percent of employees suggest that a private, and quiet space is essential to their concentration. Without the opportunity to retreat from a social setting, employees are likely to become distracted, or distressed – and by placing a stigma on privacy, workplaces will encourage their staff to place more importance on the value of appearing to be social, as opposed to the value of hard work.
Importantly, the open office space also actively stifles one of the most creative personality groups in any professional organization – the introvert. Introverted individuals crave the refuge of solitude when coming up with their best ideas – and the idea of needing space for innovation is not a new one. Indeed, solitude has been associated with transcendence and creativity for hundreds of years – inspiring the process of meditation, and forming a crucial part of religious self-discovery. According to Picasso, no-one can produce serious work without some solitude.
Although open floorplans may appear conducive to creativity on the surface, the truth is that it creates a classroom-like atmosphere – with tension caused by the feeling that the teacher is always looking over your shoulder. People can’t flourish when they feel as though coworkers and peers are watching them – innovative thoughts thrive in spaces where people are comfortable and capable of being themselves. In a quiet, and private location, people are often more capable of accessing the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that truly changes the world. While there is a place for togetherness and collaboration, it should be visited in moderation.
Get the most out of your workplace
While open plan offices may be a great solution for laid-back extroverts, they’re unlikely to be the ideal environment for industry-leading minds and innovators. Some people need silence and solitude in which to focus, and an open layout does nothing but lead to constant distraction. That’s not to say, however, that group activity doesn’t have its place within the professional world – but the best way to maximize office productivity is to offer variety which suits all personality types. Instead of forcing an open space into every part of the office framework, allow workers to have their own private offices or cubicles, and encourage interaction in other ways. For instance, many leading companies have private conference rooms where employees can get together and plan, or lounges and cafes for more laid-back brainstorming sessions.
By introducing variety, your workspace can foster collaboration and creativity, at the same time as productivity and socialization.
Jordan Shapiro is senior project manager, ASI, and managing general partner, San Diego Office, Modular Design. He founded the entity in 2003. It is a full-service office furniture provider with an emphasis on creating unique, collaborative, and practical workplaces in which personnel are enabled to flourish and be more successful. Visit www.sd-office.com for information.
