> 1. All open office layouts must include a stipend for high quality, noise cancelling headphones that won't hurt your ears long term and are comfortable enough

> 1. All open office layouts must include a stipend for high quality, noise cancelling headphones that won't hurt your ears long term and are comfortable enough to wear all day. Noise-cancelling headphones are designed to cancel predictable background noise, such as the white noise of an airplane's engines while flying. They are not designed to cancel the noise of conversations happening around you. Furthermore, noise-cancelling headphones cause dizziness and nausea after extended use in many people. This is well-documented and also fairly understood, given the relationship between the ears and the vestibular system. Finally, auditory noise isn't the only problem people have with open office layouts. Visual distractions and the "fishbowl effect" are also significant factors.