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> Companies these days bend over backwards to make the office experience as optimal as possible. Sorry, but most companies nowadays use open offices, which are

> Companies these days bend over backwards to make the office experience as optimal as possible. Sorry, but most companies nowadays use open offices, which are absolutely anathema to me. Here's the thing: I absolutely want to work in a cube farm. I want to work in a traditional office environment with individual cubicles in a suburban office park. Unfortunately, there are very few companies like that anymore. I like my current company. I like it a lot. We're a B2B telecom in the northern suburbs of Dallas with cubicles as far as the eye can see. I'm happy here. But if I ever end up leaving (which isn't going to happen anytime soon, because I'm happy here), then my next job is probably going to be remote, because I seriously doubt I'll find another non-remote job that matches my criteria. Sadly, the kind of company I prefer working at is a dying breed, and I'd rather work remote than work in a trendy open office environment that caters to millennials (hell, I'm technically a millennial, but everything to do with millennial culture makes me cringe).

Raidion 7y ago
I don't think "most companies" use open offices. I think it varies. I do agree with you, when I graduated from college, I explicitly didn't want to be in a cube farm. Graduating me was an idiot, and I very much do want to be in a cube farm. Also, I don't think lumping "millennial" as the cause of open offices is the correct reason. I feel like it's initially attractive for a lot of college grads, but it's generally opposed by people with experience. If you're at a place that doesn't have the working conditions you like, it's because they don't (or can't) value you enough to provide those conditions. I'm a millennial as well, but have only worked in an open office once, and that was when I was younger and had less experience.
repolfx 7y ago
What is it you like about cube farms so much? Individual offices I understand completely. Cubes? Seems like a very cheapskate version of a real office. I've never worked in one though, so I guess I can't quite understand it.
- isostatic 7y ago
  Better than open offices and hotdesking?
- geekbird 7y ago
  There is a hierarchy, IMO, best to worst: 1) Private office - I've had this, it was great 2) Shared office - had this too, it's ok if you have a good officemate 3) Team room - had this, larger office/conference room for one team, you have to be able to close the door 4) private cubicle, high walls - had this, pairing was easy 5) private cubicle, low walls - had this, a few more egregious interruptions 6) shared cubicle - haven't had this, still beats open office 7) open plan, big desks - at this now, it still lacks privacy and noise control 8) open plan, benching - had this, 36" of bench space, had to carry my laptop, mouse and office supplies with me 9) open plan, hot desking - IMO, this is just cause for a resignation letter on ergonomic and dehumanization grounds. TL; DR: Cubicles are better for concentration and privacy than open plan, not as good as offices. Open plan makes me nostalgic for cubicles.

Raidion 7y ago

I don't think "most companies" use open offices. I think it varies. I do agree with you, when I graduated from college, I explicitly didn't want to be in a cube farm. Graduating me was an idiot, and I very much do want to be in a cube farm. Also, I don't think lumping "millennial" as the cause of open offices is the correct reason. I feel like it's initially attractive for a lot of college grads, but it's generally opposed by people with experience. If you're at a place that doesn't have the working conditions you like, it's because they don't (or can't) value you enough to provide those conditions. I'm a millennial as well, but have only worked in an open office once, and that was when I was younger and had less experience.

repolfx 7y ago

What is it you like about cube farms so much? Individual offices I understand completely. Cubes? Seems like a very cheapskate version of a real office. I've never worked in one though, so I guess I can't quite understand it.

isostatic 7y ago
Better than open offices and hotdesking?
geekbird 7y ago
There is a hierarchy, IMO, best to worst: 1) Private office - I've had this, it was great 2) Shared office - had this too, it's ok if you have a good officemate 3) Team room - had this, larger office/conference room for one team, you have to be able to close the door 4) private cubicle, high walls - had this, pairing was easy 5) private cubicle, low walls - had this, a few more egregious interruptions 6) shared cubicle - haven't had this, still beats open office 7) open plan, big desks - at this now, it still lacks privacy and noise control 8) open plan, benching - had this, 36" of bench space, had to carry my laptop, mouse and office supplies with me 9) open plan, hot desking - IMO, this is just cause for a resignation letter on ergonomic and dehumanization grounds. TL; DR: Cubicles are better for concentration and privacy than open plan, not as good as offices. Open plan makes me nostalgic for cubicles.