Still think open offices are a terrible idea after 3 years in one downtown

I started a job in Austin back in 2021 where they bragged about the open floor plan. The first week I couldn't focus because someone was eating chips right behind me every single afternoon. After 3 months I noticed our team's actual quiet work hours dropped to maybe 2 a day. I asked my manager last month if we could try a hybrid desk setup and she said no because "collaboration is key." Has anyone else seen productivity tank when they moved to open seating?

3 comments

3 Comments

rubyk268d ago

Lol yeah, nothing says "collaboration" like hearing your coworker crunch carrots from three desks away.

danielnelson8d ago

Yeah, the carrot crunching got me too until I brought in my own sound machine to drown it out.

tessa_murray6d ago

Got a pair of Sony noise cancelling headphones for $50 on FB marketplace. Total game changer. Now I can hear myself think and dont have to hear Brenda's daily apple ritual. Plus side is you can pop one ear out if your boss walks by.