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> That sounds like the worst of both worlds... a tiny cramped cube with no social interaction or impromptu collaboration.... But, that's why they have doors, w

> That sounds like the worst of both worlds... a tiny cramped cube with no social interaction or impromptu collaboration.... But, that's why they have doors, which can be opened or closed, or left slightly ajar, all of which can be used to indicate your willingness to receive visitors. And why must "private office" mean "tiny cramped cube?" Do you not imagine there being any common areas where people can sit and work? Sure, if your idea of "private offices" is "tiny, cramped cubes," I get it. I had an office in grad school I almost never visited, much less used, because it was the size of a walk-in closet and was assigned to me and two other students. But I'm thinking more like the professors' offices, where you can have a couch in there, and a desk, and a window, and some bookshelves, and go down the hall to get some coffee or sit in the commons room, etc.

solardev 3y ago
It's a totally different feeling to sit at a communal table vs visiting someone in their private office, even with the doors open. It's the difference between studying with your friends together at the library and visiting your professor during office hours. Not saying either is better or worse, just different. I'd prefer the open collaboration model and would never want a private office, no matter how spacious it is. It's just lonely. On the other hand, I also wouldn't force people to sit at the big table (or come into the office at all) if they work better alone. People are just different and their workspace needs should be respected as much as possible. Even when fully WFH, I paid for a coworking space membership without a private desk, specifically for the collaborative feel and social chit chat. Many others did the same. And others still paid for private offices with their doors closed. There's no one size fit all approach to this, and IMO there shouldn't be because people aren't the same. Companies that try to lump everyone together under one policy just ends up with a bunch of desks that sit empty most of the week, grumpy WFHers who reluctantly come in because they have to (getting nothing done that day), and sad extroverts like me who are surrounded by people who don't really want to be there. Why not just let people choose, as long as they can still do the work? The control freak mentality is the problem, not private offices vs open layouts.

solardev 3y ago

It's a totally different feeling to sit at a communal table vs visiting someone in their private office, even with the doors open. It's the difference between studying with your friends together at the library and visiting your professor during office hours. Not saying either is better or worse, just different. I'd prefer the open collaboration model and would never want a private office, no matter how spacious it is. It's just lonely. On the other hand, I also wouldn't force people to sit at the big table (or come into the office at all) if they work better alone. People are just different and their workspace needs should be respected as much as possible. Even when fully WFH, I paid for a coworking space membership without a private desk, specifically for the collaborative feel and social chit chat. Many others did the same. And others still paid for private offices with their doors closed. There's no one size fit all approach to this, and IMO there shouldn't be because people aren't the same. Companies that try to lump everyone together under one policy just ends up with a bunch of desks that sit empty most of the week, grumpy WFHers who reluctantly come in because they have to (getting nothing done that day), and sad extroverts like me who are surrounded by people who don't really want to be there. Why not just let people choose, as long as they can still do the work? The control freak mentality is the problem, not private offices vs open layouts.