The truth about collaboration in open plan offices

In the modern world of business, more and more companies are straying from the traditional office of walled-off cubicles and opting for open plan spaces instead. But is this layout all that is seems? In this blog, we take a look at the truth about collaboration in open plan offices and how you can create harmony in your own work environment. Improved communication It’s no secret that in an open plan office, the lack of walls and partitions makes it much easier for colleagues to communicate. The design of the space means that employees can engage with each other without much effort at all. In fact, the majority of colleagues may find that they do not have to pick up the phone or even move from their chair in order to speak to those around them. In a study carried out by software company Humanyze, it was found that proximinity can increase the likelihood of interaction between employees. The research project analysed communication data collected from hundreds of thousands of employees from multiple different companies. The study itself proved that if two people sit next to each other, it’s likely that they’ll communicate more frequently than with people who are sitting a few metres away. An open plan office means that there are very few barriers to refrain employees from engaging in conversation. A lack of interaction between teammates Upon examining its data further, Humanyze discovered that an open plan office can actually force teams to grow apart, finding that team members interact with each other 45% less. The software company went on to justify this by pointing out that in a closed working environment, employees would be more likely to run into colleagues who share the same part of the office, the majority of which will be other members of their team. However, in an open plan style office, interactions between workers is likely to be more widespread with different people from different teams engaging in conversation. As a result, employees may not interact with their own teammates as much in this type of room layout which could lead to further problems with productivity. Increased distraction and less privacy However, it’s the lack of these barriers that quite literally opens up a whole host of other problems, with the main one being distraction. With employees sat together in one open space, individuals are able to chat freely, meaning that noise levels can become a problem. This can cause issues for those who prefer to work in quieter conditions, and it could mean that productivity levels dip. There is also a lack of privacy that comes with having an open plan office. Employees are unable to work in complete confidentiality as their computer screens are on full view, and they may struggle to take phone calls in privacy. Is an open plan office right for your business? There’s no doubt that open plan style office have their advantages and disadvantages, and as a result, it can be tricky figuring out if this type of layout is right for your business. While an open plan office can increase communication, collaboration and interaction between employees, as well as improve resource sharing, the idea of having a noisy, distracting office could put you off completely. Whether you’re setting up your office from scratch or you’re thinking of undergoing a workspace renovation, it’s important that you think about if this type of layout is going to work for you. The best of both worlds It’s difficult to say whether an open plan or closed-space office is best, and it could be that you like elements of both. If this is the case, why not incorporate both styles for the best of both worlds? It’s possible to create a spacious, open plan workspace with elements of privacy, allowing you and your employees to communicate and collaborate with ease, as well as enjoy quietness when it’s needed. Tips for creating the perfect office environment Every business will have a different idea of what the ‘perfect’ office space looks and feels like, so it’s all about finding something that works for you. To help you get started, you might find it useful to keep the following points in mind - especially if you’re going for an open plan design. Set up office screens In an open plan style office, it can be difficult to control noise and privacy. So, if you’re keen to stick to this layout but you want your employees to be able to work and chat in quiet if needs be, why not invest in some office screens? These partitions can be transported and erected quickly and easily, allowing you to create a designated quiet area. From meetings to making phone calls, your employees can use this space if they need to get away from the hubbub and chitter chatter of the office. Invest in cleverly designed furniture In an open plan office, it can be hard for your workers to gather together in a way that doesn’t cause distraction to others. So, instead of having them crowd round a workstation or just generally cause disruption, you could invest in some cleverly designed furniture. There are a range of furniture pieces available for you to choose from that can help create privacy and a barrier from the rest of the office. For example, you could invest in seating with high backs and sides to create a relaxed, breakout area where your staff can go to for informal meetings without distracting or being overheard by others. Allow your employees to use headphones While it may not have anything to do with the actual layout of your office, allowing your employees to use headphones could help create harmony in an open place office. Wearing headphones enables your workers to cancel out unwanted noise around them, and you might find that their productivity levels increase too. For more tips on how to create an open plan work environment in your office, don’t hesitate to speak to our experts at Furniture At Work.