Employee Privacy

There have been a glut of articles recently espousing the benefits of open office space.  Some proponents argue that companies can increase communication and creativity by having workers near enough to one another that casual conversations occur more often (or perhaps that conversations can be overheard and acted on).  Others claim cost-savings by eliminating the “personal space” of cubicles – or by allowing desk sharing and spontaneous collaboration.

As a strong introvert and preferer of quiet spaces, these articles are disheartening, and I am concerned these companies are rushing forward with a new idea without thinking through the long-term effects.

In your organization, do you have places where employees can have some quiet time – whether for thinking on their own or for having a conversation without having to yell over the din of background noise (or worrying about disturbing nearby colleagues)?  Do you have spaces for collaboration or “inspiration”, where your workers can gather for more informal conversations or brainstorming (without the need for booking a conference room in advance)?

Are you providing a mix of spaces and environments to allow for the full spectrum of activities and interactions that help your business move forward?