Comments on: For Introverts, the Open Office Concept Is Hell on Earth

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 21:01:00 +0000

I hate open plan. One of my previous places of work had open plan with a central area of tiny private workstations that anyone could book. And we had working from home options. I had 3 days at home each week. Current job can’t offer that due to the nature of the work so its all open plan and yes, it really affects my respiratory health. I would say that a team lunch would be hell for me. I need that hour on my own entirely.

By: David Martin

David Martin — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 16:29:00 +0000

The challenge is when you are a social introvert – meaning you want to be part of the collaborative work, and even the social interactions- but not ALL DAY LONG! I work at place with enough office space for everyone, but we are getting ready to knock down walls to make an open/shared office space. I have shared with the decision makers how this will negatively effect me and my other introverted co-workers. It seems that extroverts see introversion as something to challenge and overcome. I’ve been told that the introverts are exactly we we’re doing this because “we need it.”

By: Danish_Anwer

Danish_Anwer — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 13:27:00 +0000

You certainly are an outlier when it comes to introversion.

By: scotty Ø

scotty Ø — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:28:00 +0000

i work in an open office. it’s a nightmare. All the people in management get private offices with doors while everyone else sits in a massive 300k sq ft space with no walls. We have a few small rooms that are are intended as spaces people can use for things like making private phone calls or having private meetings with one or two other people. but there are only half a dozen of them for a building of 1500 ppl. I spend the entire trying not to be distracted or interrupted, and I have a constant feeling that someone is looking at me or looking over my shoulder.

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:55:00 +0000

OMG, this is soooo true. I can hardly focus in my current seating situation, and am extraordinarily irritated by the constant flow of traffic near/past where I sit. I loathe having my screens right in everyone’s faces. My ADD combined with INTJ means I don’t work like most people, and I get really annoyed at having my world on blast – not that anyone has said anything, I get my work done and then some, but it bugs the $(Y$ out of me – which is distracting in itself!

By: Phranqlin

Phranqlin — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:12:00 +0000

In reply to bknaus. One of my son's high school English teachers held some of his class discussions as online chats using forum software. He said that several students who would have barely participated in an open class discussion were far more comfortable with discussing literature online, so he ended up holding these discussions fairly frequently to give everyone a chance to weigh in. The school had issued Windows laptops to students for use in the classroom and also made a moderated forum available as part of an educational software package.

By: bknaus

bknaus — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:07:00 +0000

In reply to Jesse. I like the divider parts. My only concern is supervision and being able to see all the students at all times. Not that I need to interacting with them but being able to monitor for safety.

By: bknaus

bknaus — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:06:00 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth West.

My classroom, but not my school, is 1:1 w/ Chromebooks. We use Google Classroom and Google Drive for most of our work. I record short direction videos and then let the students work. This allows me to work with small groups in a corner or individually with stuck students. This worked well for me last year. I need to reflect and think of ways that I can improve what we did.

The other thing is the physical layout of the room. I don’t really need desks. I’d love to set up a few desk areas, a couple group tables, and a couple of “living room” type set-ups.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 18:03:00 +0000

Definitely struggled through the same problem in my previous company. I disliked the open office concept but I found that I was able to zone in by putting headphones on. Like most things, the longer I endured it, the easier it became to tolerate. Now I sort of prefer being around people but not needing to interact. Sort of the same concept as co-working spaces or coffee shops.

By: Elizabeth West

Elizabeth West — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 16:38:00 +0000

In reply to bknaus. A lot depends on what technology you have available. If you have computers or I-pads, there are a number of online programs where students can post discussion responses online, you can take class polls, etc. You can still allow students to comment verbally if they prefer, and let those less comfortable with speaking out do the posting online. I think a blend of group and independent activities gives a good balance and when doing group work, have some more quiet roles that can be played such as "recorder" while others do more of the talking.