Working in an office with an open floor plan.

Anyone have any insight into working in an office that has an open floor plan? Meaning, no cubes... connecting desks... everyone being able to see what everyone else is doing....

I'm just curious about anyone's experiences... likes, dislike....

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

I had my office for over 7 years, then I got a new job where its an open floor plan....we sit at basically what are traders desks....and there is NO privacy....I hate it but what can I do..its a job...

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

I just moved from a setting like this.

It $ucks.

There's no privacy.

I also was often a lot more stressed because everyone had access to me so they were always coming to me to A.) vent or B.) ask for help on things that were really not my responsibility.

I also work with a person who refuses to get their ears checked, so has issues with hearing.

Everyone can hear them yelling into the phone "WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT" from all sides of the room at all times of the day.

I now share an office with only one person and it's SO NICE.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

I worked in an office like that for about 3 years and hated it. Like the other posters said, there is absolutely NO privacy. Very difficult to make a personal call or pop online for a minute because everybody can see and hear what you are doing. On top of that, the area I worked in was in the very front of the office so there were constantly people walking in and out, and through our section because it bordered the conference rooms.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

I was at an office setting like that for about a year & HATED it.
Everyone watched you eat lunch, watched you blow your nose, heard you on the phone .. hated it.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

That is how my office is right now. Me and my coworker have desks that face each other. Hate it and I told my boss that we need a divider or something.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

my office is pretty open. desks are big rounds with dividers that go halfway up so there are three desks per round. I would love a little more privacy. Half the time I can't hear when i'm on the phone, everybody knows everyone's business and the biggest distraction of all is the annoying VP...I'd LOVE to know how he got that title!!! I swear the man works a total of 10 minutes over the course of the day - he's either outside his office trying to get attention or playing on facebook.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

I used to work in this setting and absolutely hated it. There's no privacy whatsoever and so much distraction! It's supposed to be more productive 'cus you can't surf or do personal stuff at your desk but people need a break sometimes!

Any employer that subjects a employee to such conditions has no concern for his/her welfare and is not worth working for...

I would NEVER ever work in such a setting again no matter what the pay.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

Posted by Lisa

I had my office for over 7 years, then I got a new job where its an open floor plan....we sit at basically what are traders desks....and there is NO privacy....I hate it but what can I do..its a job...

Re: Working in an office with an open floor plan.

I am in an office like that & I am not a fan. We used to be in "rooms" by department, and I had a regular desk in a room with 1 other person.

For the last 5 years everyone who doesn't rank an office sits in a long room & all the desk are attached side by side. We have little dividers, but they are low, and glass.

The desk shake anytime anyone put something heavy on one. I am at the end, and I can hear everyone typing, talking, even stirring their tea.


We also have 1 switch to control the lights for the whole area, and apparently I am the only one who needs light to see, so there is always a battle over that. And, I miss my radio. I am much more productive with music in the background.