Closed Offices vs Open Plan Layout

One of the first considerations for any small business is whether they want to have closed offices or an open plan layout. Both approaches have pros and cons so small businesses must consider carefully which option is most suitable for their particular needs.

Closed office space, whether each employee has a separate office of their own or there are a few people in each closed office, allows staff a greater amount of privacy than an open plan office layout. They have the chance to work in peace and quiet, keeping them focused on the tasks in hand without getting overly distracted by what their colleagues are doing. Closed offices also offer space for employees to think or be creative without too much interruption.

However, some people feel that closed offices, whether individual or for small teams of employees, promote a culture of individualism rather than teamwork, and would prefer an open plan office layout. This helps keep all employees at the same level, with the Managing Director of the company working in the same space as the newest member of staff. Whilst this can be slightly disturbing for those who have always worked in closed offices in the past, it helps employees to engage with one another on a more regular and informal basis, and fosters an environment of mutual support and cooperation.

On the one hand, a lot of offices nowadays are following the open plan lay out purely out of financial reasons - because it saves the employers a significant 20% of their budget.

On the other hand, researchers from the Queensland University found out that the current trend of having an open-plan workplace often results in lower productivity and higher levels of stress for employees which means additional progressive expenses in healthcare payments for the employers.

Deciding whether an open plan layout or closed office system would be best for your business will depend on many factors, and it is important to consider them all thoroughly before finalising office arrangements. For instance, a company in which members of staff discuss sensitive information over the phone such as recruitment firm, or an agency in which ‘Chinese walls’ are necessary to keep client teams separate, may decide that closed offices is the only way to make this possible. However, creative industries such as advertising and design often feel that having an open plan layout increases the creativity of the staff without hindering their productivity. Depending on the size and budget of your company you may want to consider having a combination of closed as well as open plan office space.

Statements:

1. In closed office employees are never distracted by their colleagues. .

2. Closed offices promote the culture of individualism .

3. Open offices conceal hierarchy and facilitate mutual support .

4. Open offices are cheaper to build .

5. Open offices provide healthier working conditions for employees .

6. Chinese walls are thin and sound-transmitting .

7. You cannot combine open and closed office layouts .

(http://www.mwbex.com/smes/the-importance-of-office-layout/closed-vs-open-plan/)

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 845