Open Office Spaces Will Never Make a Comeback
There was a time when office spaces were a huge deal. Companies of all sizes saw them as an excellent idea. Productivity increased as a result of this layout. Office spaces encouraged collaboration and creativity. They also make employees feel the need to keep working instead of wasting time.
While the idea was great for productivity, not everyone felt good about it. Employees need space and privacy. With that layout, it wasn’t easy. Many people demanded businesses to move away from that layout. Those who pushed for it said that it’s only an excuse made by lazy employees.
With the current pandemic, the issue died down since everyone worked from home. When things get better, the debate might start again. However, with what’s happening now, it’s a settled issue. Open spaces will never come back.
Social distancing will be the norm
We hope that things will get better soon. With the vaccination rollout, we won’t have to wear masks anymore. We can also feel more confident going out and not get infected. Even tourism will get back to life. However, it seems like social distancing as a safety feature will stay. People will feel more confident not being too close to others outside of the household. It’s an extra layer of caution to fight potential transmission. It means that when employees get back to work, they will maintain distance. Others will even demand for it. Business leaders also have an incentive to ensure social distancing. If there will be another outbreak, operations will stop. It goes against the idea of encouraging productivity in the first place.
Mental health will be a priority
This pandemic also placed mental health on the line. Many people couldn’t cope up with the negativity. They also feel terrible about not being able to leave their homes. Employers found a way to help their employees get through a tough time. When everyone goes back to work, it will still be a priority. Not having privacy at work can affect mental health. Having to watch their backs all the time can be exhausting. Hence, the idea of open office spaces will never be a reality again.
There are other ways to be productive
Dealing with office layout isn’t the only way to encourage creativity and productivity. There are other ways for employees to remain productive. Employers have to be more creative and encouraging people to work harder. Besides, this pandemic taught us that it’s not only about being productive. We also have to focus on our well-being. While it helps for employees to do more for the business, they should also do something for themselves. When they don’t feel well, they couldn’t work well too. It’s in every business’ interest to guarantee that everyone is healthy.
You can be more creative in determining the office layout. You can also ask your employees to provide suggestions. As long as they feel comfortable with it, it’s worth a try.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/10/15/nyregion/00nytech/00nytech-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg
2nd image from https://www.nbcnews.com/better/business/open-office-plan-hindering-your-productivity-here-s-how-make-ncna893586
