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This issue has caused heated discussion amongst many a group of co-workers.
Should employees be given private workspaces, i.e. a private office with a window and a door, or should everyone work in cubicle farms or even worse the dreaded “bullpen”?
Personally, having worked in a few different types of environments I strongly support the private (or as private as possible) workspace environment.
Not all offices are equiped with enough private space for everyone. However, even cubicles can provide a decent amount of privacy depending on how they are structured.
It has been widely reported that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has his entire staff working side by side in one large room. Do you find that odd? I would assume the office of the Mayor would be dealing with highly confidential and sensitive materials on a frequent basis, isn’t privacy necessary in that sort of environment? Is it necessary in all working environments?
There is no doubt that privacy and comfort are personal issues, and that views vary by industry. It seems to be the modern trend to cram as many people as possible into whatever space is available. Perhaps it is an issue of productivity, and/or cost?
Perhaps this would be a great topic for a teetotaled reader poll?
(I have included an article from MSN.com on how to decorate your cubicle so you don’t feel like you are trapped in a carpeted shoebox-prison. Happy cubing!)