Open Offices Are Bad for Productivity, Study Finds

"For their study, researchers surveyed over 1200 senior executives and non-executive employees about their workplace arrangements. While 53 percent of employees reported feeling less satisfied and less productive when they had to work through ambient noise, only 35 percent of executives felt the same way. The disconnect between the perceptions of management and the people they employ was evident in other areas as well."

"Just 41 percent of employees said they have the necessary tools to filter out distractions, while 63 percent of executives felt that their employees had everything they needed. Fifty-two percent of employees described work/life balance as being very important to them. When employers were asked the same question about their team, only 34 percent of executives said that balance was a priority for their employees."

"The study reveals that a majority of executives are equipped with tools that make it easy to do their jobs outside the office, while less than half of employees can say the same. The most drastic difference between the two groups is their physical workspace. Sixty-two percent of top-level workers have a private office-a privilege granted to just 14 percent of employees."

Open office layouts and ambient noise lower employee output and morale. Surveys of more than 1,200 senior executives and non-executive employees show 53% of employees feel less satisfied and less productive due to ambient noise, compared with 35% of executives. Only 41% of employees report having tools to filter distractions, while 63% of executives believe employees have necessary tools. Fifty-two percent of employees rate work/life balance as very important, while 34% of executives say balance is a priority for their teams. Sixty-two percent of top-level workers have private offices versus 14% of employees, affecting office-design priorities and remote-work outcomes.

Read at Mental Floss