[ruffyen]

I am pretty sure this article is missing the point. Companies like Google and Facebook do in fact employ open work spaces. But they also deploy areas where employees can work with a lot more space. Areas like the sleep pods etc that Google is known for.

You can't just take the bits you like from a plan and throw out the stuff you don't want to pay for. There is a yin and yang to office spaces. This is a classic case of taking what you want and throwing out the rest because who needs that hippy bullshit.

[justizin]

Totally agree.

Also, if you have a flexible enough schedule, your desk is only a satellite office. If you want to be alone and in the quiet all day, home is often great for that.

I think some people miss out on the possibility that their employer pays more for their office than they pay for rent!

The final note about feeling self conscious leaving right at 5, I get it, but if you're effective, and the company is run with appropriate principles, that shouldn't be a thing. Leave at 3, catch up mail at home, who cares?

It's not reasonable to keep a bunch of opaque walls separating all employees so they can have flexible schedules while pretending not to. That is not progress.

[restlessdesign]

Exactly. I think there’s also a distinction to be made between engineering and writing/editorial environments. Then again, the opinion of one is not a fair reflection of the majority. Sounds like her office lacks ample break-out rooms, though who really cares if it’s a “fishbowl” office or not?