I Have A Love-Hate Relationship With Open Offices

Always distracted, always accessible

Base Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Open offices are the darling of the startup world.

After all, they look good on paper.

Instead of being separated by sky-high imposing cubicles, you get to (literally) rub shoulders with your colleagues (and bosses).

Perhaps its also more affordable to gather everyone around several tables instead of building enclosed cubicles for each team member.

Right?

Open offices mean ‘open communication, less boundaries between your colleagues and more ‘collaboration’ opportunities, right?

For people whose jobs are to create on a regular basis, this sounds like hell to me.

In an open office, you are always seen and expected to be accessible.

Open offices practice an ‘always-seen, always-accessible policy. There are no closed doors, so god forbid you could even be sitting right next to your boss.

I’m not sure how this became a thing in today’s startup culture, but sitting next to my boss, no matter how nice they are to you — terrifies me.