Cubicles Vs. Open Office Space
Whether cubicles or open office space is better for employee productivity is an ever-changing debate. A glimpse at the pros and cons of both options should help you determine what is best for your particular business.
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History
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Robert Propst invented the cubicle in 1968 and, before his death in 2000, regretted this contribution to office life, calling it "monolithic insanity." However, as of the year 2006, cubicle furniture sales still topped $3 billion dollars annually, indicating that this supposed insanity of a work space isn't likely to go anywhere.
Features
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An open office space typically resembles a room, with a door and at least one window, and can house one or a few people, depending on the dimensions and arrangement of office furniture. Cubicles are manufactured walls that divide a very large room into multiple working spaces that typically form a grid.
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Considerations
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"Bull pens" used to be the nickname for open office spaces because papers often stack up in inboxes and become overwhelming and open space means that conversation is always buzzing and everyone knows what you're working on. Cubicles tend to provide too much solitude for many employees, as they eventually produce the feeling of being trapped in a box.
Benefits
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Cubicles provide privacy and limit conversation better than an open office space. On the other hand, open office spaces eliminate the feeling of being trapped and provide a more welcoming work environment.
Function
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Whichever you choose, the purpose of both cubicles and open office spaces is to foster a more productive and efficient working environment for employees. What will work best for your company depends upon your staff and company goals.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of marya
