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More businesses today are opting for an open office setting, but is that the right option? Even though it’s a popular choice, studies are showing that it isn’t the right one for every business. In fact, many businesses still benefit from having cubicles. Some of the points to consider before making a decision include the following.
The Cost of Setup
It is important to consider the cost of setting everything up when determining the right office setup. While an open office is typically less expensive, that isn’t always the case.
Plus, there are ways to save when shopping for desk cubicles that could create a comparable price for getting everything set up and ready to use. To compare prices, consider everything that is needed for each setup as well as the cost for the items.
Look for sales or discounted prices to save more money. Be sure to also consider the cost of an incorrect setup, as the wrong setup can end up decreasing productivity, costing the business more in the long run.
Privacy and Productivity
While open offices are known for being a great way to collaborate, they’re not very good at providing privacy. Some people may need to work without interruptions from others, so a cubicle is a better fit for them.
If there is no privacy in the office because of an open setup, productivity can actually decrease significantly. Talk to employees to see if they’d prefer to be able to talk to other employees easily or if they’ll need privacy when they’re working on an important project to stay on task.
Minimalizing Distractions
Open offices can lead to a lot of distractions that can inhibit a worker’s ability to get things done. They may find it hard to handle working around co-workers who are noisy, especially if there isn’t anything that can help block out the noise.
While it’s also easy to get distracted in a cubicle, this can help cut down on some of the distractions that can cause employees to be less productive at work. Consider the different distractions that may be in the office or the cubicle to determine which option might be better.
Collaboration With Others
In many offices, collaboration is crucial for getting projects done and ensuring everything is done properly. Open offices can make this easier to do, but it can also make it easier to just hang out with other workers instead of being productive.
While cubicles aren’t really thought of as being good for collaboration, there are many online methods for collaboration that can be used to virtually work together and still have the benefits a cubicle can provide.
Employers should work with employees to determine the level of collaboration needed and which setup would help foster a connection between workers to get everything done.
There is no one solution for how to set up an office to make it more productive and to help employees feel comfortable in their workspace. When it’s time to redesign the office, it’s important to consider both an open office and a cubicle setup to determine what might be the best option for the business.
Use the points here to think about what would be more beneficial for your office and to determine what will help your employees do their best at work.
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