There are still a number of employees who prefer to have an open space in the office. This encourages connection with colleagues and creates space to work efficiently.
Cubicles also have their undeniable advantages. Some professions – IT workers and developers – require a bit of “privacy” in order to be able to concentrate fully on their work.
But which solution is right for your firm? What is a cubicle?
This type of office workstation arrangement has been with us since the 1960s. It represents separate cells with limited space that are designed for only one employee and is one of the most common office layouts.
The aim of separate workplaces is to create at least a minimum of privacy where employees can concentrate on their work. Since cubicle has been part of the office layout for almost 70 years, it brings its advantages even in today’s times.
In the past, the walls were built of wood or other solid material. Eventually, due to greater corporate interactivity and the illumination of spaces, the switch was made to glass or similar translucent alternatives, which also fit in with design trends.
Cubicles are cost-effective, provide privacy and relative peace of mind. Continuous air circulation is also an advantage. At the time of the COVID19 pandemic, such cubicles provided partial mechanical protection against the spread of the virus.
Advantages of open office
Open office space is a type where employees are not assigned to offices, but work in an open space with other employees. This type of office layout is said to encourage collaboration and creativity.
On the other hand, busier surroundings can reduce overall employee productivity, as a Harvard Business School study confirmed.
The benefits include, for example, creativity and collaboration. More employees can fit into this office layout, saving you the cost of renting/buying space.
Strengthening the workplace culture is also a nice benefit . Many solutions come during discussions between employees in different departments.
Conclusion
Open space offices are recommended for companies with a young team and for various creative jobs (advertising agencies, sales companies, customer support centers…).
For programmers, accountants, data analysts, it is advisable to set up separate cubicles because they do not need to interact with other departments or colleagues to do their work. In particular, consider what kind of work your employees do and choose the layout of the office space accordingly.
Of course, it is also possible to combine both methods, bringing the benefits of both arrangements to your business.
