Open space office: pros and cons open space

The concept of an open office is one of the most popular trends that has firmly strengthened its position. Let’s look at the pros and cons of the Open Space office, which you can use as a guide before accepting or rejecting this trend.

1. Communication
The open environment of Open space certainly promotes communication and creative exchange of ideas. Everyone feels involved, included and helpful.
Open offices facilitate communication between different departments, allowing cross-functional teams to be easily organized based on layout and removing many established communication barriers.

2. Team spirit
Especially in a sales environment where there is always an element of competition, open-plan offices have a positive effect on reinforcing a common goal. Collision of employees or teams against each other or joining forces to achieve goals can lead to real team achievements of the company.

3. Increased flexibility
Having a flexible office space means you can transform your environment in minutes. Organize a few more jobs, create a space for group meetings or redistribute jobs, all you need is a few minutes and some muscle strength and your space has been transformed to suit your needs.

Pros and Cons: Control
Open Space is a great opportunity to see everyone and everything, and, accordingly, to control the activities of each employee. However, in practice, such a principle of “total” control strains and annoys employees. Constant self-control and a sense of views from the management leave their mark on the general psychological state of employees.

1. Background noise Open space
The larger the office, the louder the background noise from rattling keyboards, phone calls, laughter, people talking… and the resulting decrease in productivity.

Solution: acoustics, workplace felt screens, large upholstered furniture, curtains, perforated false ceilings, etc.

2. Privacy
It is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to keep certain materials confidential. It is not always possible to process financial or personnel information in the Open Space environment without “leaking”.

Solution: a sufficient number of negotiation areas and meeting rooms

3. Personal space
For many employees, a quiet space is a prerequisite for concentration and good work. Not all top specialists are ready to work in open space conditions and often run away to competitors, who sometimes have much lower wages.

Solution: recreation and leisure areas, lounge area and more.

Open office space has both advantages and disadvantages for individual employees and the organization as a whole. Of course, it is impossible to completely eliminate all the disadvantages of open space, but they can be significantly minimized.