Study: Open offices may be bad for health
Summary
We undertook a review of recent research into the effects of workplace design, comparing individual with shared workspaces, on the health of employees. Our review found that, compared with individual offices, shared or open-plan office space is not beneficial to employees’ health, with consistent findings of deleterious effects on staff health, wellbeing and productivity. The findings of our review are consistent with those of earlier reviews. These findings have public health implications for the New Zealand workforce. Decisions about workplace design should include weighing the short-term financial benefits of open-plan or shared workspaces against the significant harms, including increased sickness absence, lower job satisfaction and productivity, and possible threats to recruitment and retention of staff.Abstract
Aim
To carry out a systematic review of recent research into the effects of workplace design, comparing individual with shared workspaces, on the health of employees.Method
The research question was “Does workplace design (specifically individual offices compared with shared workspaces) affect the health of workers?” A literature search limited to articles published between 2000 and 2017 was undertaken. A systematic review was carried out, and the findings of the reviewed studies grouped into themes according to the primary outcomes measured in the studies.Results
The literature search identified 15 relevant studies addressing health effects of shared or open-plan offices compared with individual offices. Our systematic review found that, compared with individual offices, shared or open-plan office space is not beneficial to employees’ health, with consistent findings of deleterious effects on staff health, wellbeing and productivity. Our findings are also consistent with those of earlier reviews.Conclusion
These findings have public health implications for the New Zealand workforce. Decisions about workplace design should include weighing the short-term financial benefits of open-plan or shared workspaces against the significant harms, including increased sickness absence, lower job satisfaction and productivity, and possible threats to recruitment and retention of staff.
Link | http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2017/vol-130-no-1467-15-december-2017/7443
Wellington: A new research conducted by the University of Canterbury in New Zealand claims that open office spaces may be adversely affecting workers and may not be as good as previously thought, reported the Newshub.
Open offices are characterised as large, open spaces for the staff in offices, as opposed to small, enclosed and private rooms for employees which are the characteristics of closed offices. They gained prominence in the 70s and now everyone works in them as, theoretically, workers are supposed to be more happy and productive and collaborating better in such a setup. In addition, businesses get to reduce costs.
Ann Richardson from the University of Canterbury said that new research goes against the traditional wisdom around open offices. “They can be cheaper to build and you can fit more staff into a set area, but it may be that those initial savings are offset by negative effects.”�
The new research compares open office spaces and individual ones, and the results are worrying. It shows workers in open spaces have poorer health, take more sick days, are less productive and less focused.
“When people are asked to move into an open plan, usually they’re told that this is going to be a positive thing, and it will improve collaboration and communication, but we found with our review of the literature that it wasn’t the case,” Richardson said.
“I think, because we’re all sharing the same air, you do get quite a lot sicker,” said one employee who was questioned as part of the research.�
One architect said there is no need to completely revamp your office just yet. He opined that open-plan spaces can work better by creating zones for specific tasks, such as brainstorming, making calls and having enclosed quiet areas.
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior Manager @
Knowledge Repository
Khaitan &
Co
Twitter Handle | @Pralhad161978
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