The world of workplace has become an incredibly popular topic since the start of the pandemic.
But while the growing interest in the office has led to more considered design choices and a greater attention to workplace culture, the buzz has also created several unfounded ‘Workplace Myths’.
Does open plan kill productivity?
The main issues with an open plan office arise when people aren’t given enough alternatives for when they need to escape the distraction of shared space.
A workplace that motivates people to leave their homes is one designed around what drives behaviour, promotes human interaction and optimises effectiveness. Elements such as break out areas, phone booths and collaboration zones will offer a range of options for those needing to connect with those working remotely.
A winning open plan design will consider white noise speakers, sound absorbing furniture choices and video conferencing technology, forming a blended space that creates a seamless experience across physical and digital.
Is sitting down actually fatal?
A popular headline pre-COVID said that sitting is the new smoking. While trying to raise awareness around a real issue such as the cost of sitting down for too long, it also overgeneralized the complexity of the matter. A healthier, more effective message is to build an office space focused on wellbeing, with a range of seating options, different spaces to encourage walking meetings, or even an outdoor meeting space.
In a recent ‘Healthy Hybrid' report by Vitality, 85% of homeworkers believe that taking employee health and wellbeing seriously will be important when considering their career prospects.
From including health and wellbeing in company risk registers and prioritising these at board level to mandatory breaks and ‘right to disconnect’ policies, the report includes several useful recommendations to help businesses deliver both inclusive productivity gains and a healthier, happier workforce.
To find out more, please visit: Does Open Plan Kill Productivity? | Area