Ah, the joys of the Open Plan. Here's how I see the thing: First, Open Plan offices pack more people in a smaller space. It's measurably cheaper than proper i

Ah, the joys of the Open Plan. Here's how I see the thing: First, Open Plan offices pack more people in a smaller space. It's measurably cheaper than proper individual offices, or even 3-4 people offices. And what can be measured tends to be optimised. Second, whatever they tell you about the supposed benefits is but a sales pitch to get you to accept that we should all work in boiler rooms. Third, many actually believe their own lies. One big reason is that despite having their desk at the Open Plan like everyone else, they're not subjected to half of the inconveniences: they spend most of their time in meetings, because that's what managers and executives do (coordinate and decide). They often have their desk closer to the corners of the Open Plan, where it's quieter, and they don't have everyone passing by taking a glance at their screen behind their back. Fourth, good luck criticising your work environment without being perceived as the outlier that cannot adapt. I once did, an the HR lead "checked" by asking people face to face what they thought about the noise. Of course nobody told to her face that there was too much noise, most were still on probation, and they didn't want to appear as though they didn't fit in. There is one solution: unions. You're not the only one who can't stand noise, you're just the only one crazy enough to actually talk about it.