Open working spaces- a productive innovation?

Innovative open working spaces have been the talk of the town for quite some time now. Those days of monotonous cubicles scattered in the office are fading. A number of new working space providers have resorted to creating unconventional and informal ambience for people.

While experts say, it definitely has its advantages bringing an inclusiveness of all employees working skimming out the hierarchy feel among them, it also its own disadvantages.

Here we discuss some of the probable pros and con the next gen offices and employers might be facing with upcoming unique working places. Business stands on two important stones- staff and business. Hence, the focus of working spaces would be from their point of view.

An open-plan work environment is a place, where there are no distinct rooms or fully enclosed spaces. Instead, workstations are positioned together, sometimes separated by short screens or panels within one exposed floor plan. Now, the openness may improve communication and collaboration among the workers alright, but it also may reduce concentration and productivity.

On a positive side, removing walls or other physical barriers is removing a psychological barrier too. It makes it easier for employees to come up with ideas and interact with seniors and could create wonders. The constant intermingling generates a sense of camaraderie among everyone and also enhances the flow of information and teamwork.

Colleagues can look for each other in times of advice or assistance without having to knock on doors or schedule a formal meeting, which is a great barrier.

On the negative side, this increased collaboration would surely lead to noise and distractions making it difficult for employees to focus on their work. Whether its home or office, one always needs a certain level of privacy and open spaces eliminates that. Computer screens are easily visible by those walking by and telephone conversations are likely to be overheard. None can work potentially feeling uncomfortable.

Another very important issue to be taken into consideration would be a disease. Diseases like cold, conjunctivitis and more that are contagious will easily spread due to lack of walls.

From a business point of view too, open working spaces could be both constructive and destructive. An open-plan layout can be a real economic profit as it reduces costs concerning construction, utilities, and office equipment.

Fewer walls mean less time taken for construction and money spend. It also reduces electricity expenses to a lot extent, thanks to improved flow of air and light. Investment on equipment would also decrease due to shared use of resources, such as printers, copiers, and staplers.

Now, despite all theses really cool credits of an open working space, it could really be detrimental to the business as a whole. Business output often gets reduced by the higher rate of absenteeism associated with open-plan environments in which disease spreads more easily. Furthermore, the lack of privacy in open-plan designs would give rise to legal or ethical issues originating from compromised confidentiality in regard to clients or colleagues.

So, as good as innovation an open working space is, it might just as well be suitable to stick to the old blueprints of offices. Whatever it has, it surely got the job done.