Open plan offices are often praised by many in management, but the workers disagree. They can be problematic and not work for everyone. They can work if you have the right design.

Harvard University found that staff who work in offices with an open floor plan have 70% less contact with their co-workers. It would seem that this is the opposite of what was intended. The teams are less cooperative, preferring to communicate via email instead of face-to-face.

What is the origin of the concept?

Architects and designers wanted to encourage greater collaboration by removing walls from the workspace. The idea was to encourage interaction and conversation, and to eliminate the hierarchy and delineation that exist in many workplaces as managers were seen as unapproachable and would close themselves off.

As the concept developed, open-plan designs evolved into a cost saving exercise and a means to save space. Open plan spaces are not for everyone, but with some clever design, they can be a great option.

It is important to create a space that can be adapted to a variety of uses. Here are some suggestions:

Separate space for tasks

Separate areas can be set up for tasks that require collaboration and group work. This will help to minimise background noise and distractions. This gives those who must concentrate in their office the chance to do so without distractions. Those who wish to talk and exchange ideas in a designated space, such as a meeting room or pause room, can do so. If you need Meeting Rooms Birmingham City Centre, visit Nettl

Use empty meeting rooms

If an employee needs a few hours of silence to complete a project, or to accomplish a task, it should be available to them. The use of empty rooms is something that should be acceptable in the office culture. It shows that each person has a different style of working and that there are spaces available to suit everyone.