U.S. workers hate ‘open’ office spaces

“Report: U.S. workers hate ‘open’ office spaces” by Robby Brumberg, May 22, 2018 – https://www.prdaily.com/report-u-s-workers-hate-open-office-spaces/

There’s been this trend for many years, now, to create a more open work space, so that employees can collaborate, be productive and have more fun. But, this article references a report that employees don’t really like this kind of work space.

Now, granted, the report was created from responses of only 1,000 people, 76% of whom “hate open offices”. But, it still prompts companies to think about it.

For me, all these reasons apply:

• Lack of privacy (43 percent)
• Overhearing too many personal conversations (34 percent)
• Cannot concentrate (29 percent)
• Worries that sensitive information can be leaked (23 percent)
• Can’t do their best thinking (21 percent)

When asked what employees wanted instead:

• 84% said working from home would be ideal
• Nearly 60% cited “not having to commute” as a top reason for wanting to work remotely
• 41% indicated that they’d be more productive working from home
• 35% said that remote work would enable them to produce more “thoughtful” output
• 18% would pursue a new job to have a workspace they like better
• 9% would petition to work part-time in an environment they do like

It’s great for teams that work together be close enough to collaborate, but I think that there’s a lot of office politics, personal issues, different personalities and other dynamics that creates a LESS productive environment than companies think.