September 23, 2016.
According to a study conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Auckland, Australia, open-plan work would not be profitable for either the employee or the employer.
Poorer relations between colleagues
Open-space work has grown enormously in recent years. An office layout that saves space and, it was said, increases exchanges between employees, which could be beneficial for the company. But according to a study published on the Quartz news site, this mode of operation could harm productivity, but also the social life of employees.
To arrive at these results, the researchers surveyed more than 1,000 Australian employees, aged 18 and over and representative of all working people in the country. And against all odds, those interviewed highlighted the fact that therelations between colleagues were of poorer quality in the open space. Employees have to put up with bad jokes, noise and other annoying habits from their colleagues.
Lack of privacy, risk of isolation
Furthermore, the lack of privacy and personal space increases the isolation of people, especially with the use of headphones. ” If we don’t have physical privacy, maybe we are trying to create our own distance ”, Note the authors of the study. But that’s not all, relations with the hierarchy would be better when ” you don’t see your boss every day “.
According to Rachel Morrisson, a researcher at the University of Auckland who led the study, for open-plan work to go well, managers must set rules that allow everyone to keep some privacy and stay productive. In particular, it would be necessary “ limit spontaneous interactions between people “Which could take precedence over” the potential collaborative benefits “.
Read also: 10 tips to feel better at work
