Open Office Spaces vs. Cubicles

Chances are there that ‘cubicles’ might be an uncommon term for you. The cubicle arrangement in offices has been vanishing in the last fifteen years. Offices with open work spaces are considered better nowadays. However, many arguments are in favour and against both of the options.

Open Work Spaces

Advantages

1 . Maximum utilisation of floor space and less furniture makes it a cost effective affair.

2 . A single utilisation of floor space and less furniture makes it a cost effective affair.

3 . Open spaces develop a sense of community among the employees and establishes coordination and pace between the different departments.

4 . Hierarchical barriers between managers and their subordinates blur with open offices, the higher officials seem more accessible.

Disadvantages

1 . Shared office space leads to a lack of privacy, which becomes difficult to work with sensitive information.

2 . Personal data almost becomes visible to all with open spaces.

3 . Distraction is the biggest drawback of open spaces with frequent complaints of noise.

4 . Open spaces do not recognise the fact that each individual works differently from another.

Cubicles

Advantages

1 . Cubicles allow privacy while working.

2 . The divisions recognise the difference in nature of work of all and improve concentration.

Disadvantages

1 . Cubicles are mainly unpopular for being small thus providing a limited and enclosed space to an individual.

2 . More cubicles mean less accessibility between two employees.

The trend is shifting from cubicles to open offices. Both the options involve pros and cons. A lot depends on the nature of work. Open spaces is a good option for many lines of business but not for all. For example, advertising, media and information technology people prefer working in open work spaces. However, open spaces is not the end solution to achieve creativity and innovation. Know a different take on open space offices concept.