Solutions for an Open Office Environment
by Kim Schroeder
Within the past couple of years, we have seen an increase in open workspaces. The intention was that employees could collaborate, share knowledge, and be more productive overall. Corporate America thought this was an ideal solution for encouraging teamwork. We now know that this is not always the case. There are current studies that show that an open work environment can be more disruptive. The lack of privacy, along with the added noise, can do the opposite of what was intended and inhibit an employee’s ability to concentrate, therefore decreasing productivity.
How can businesses now combat the open-office environment without completely remodeling their space? Some solutions are to change all the low cubicle panels to a higher panel by adding panel stackers. Here we show a framed glass stacker. These can also be fabric for acoustic purposes.
Another option would be to add acoustical felt panels on and around worksurfaces. Even panel dividers hanging from the ceiling offer some privacy as well as soundproofing. Below is a great example - this is the same office with and without the acoustic panels and dividers.
Another solution can be to offer a wellness room where employees can go in to sit for a quiet moment or to make a personal phone call.
If your office does not have an extra room to spare for a wellness room, a work booth or acoustical pod can be an excellent solution. These pods are designed with sound privacy in mind. They are moveable and some come in different sizes.
If a pod is too large, there are also phone booths. This is definitely not your typical outdoor phone booth, but an indoor telephone booth that offers privacy for employees and does not take up much space! Let’s face it, employees will find someplace to make a private phone call, even if they must step outside. Why not have a place in the office that offers them that level of privacy?
Contact your sales manager or our interior design team at 877-795-2600 for information about any of these solutions!