During this summer, I found myself revisiting "Peopleware," authored by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister. One chapter is devoted exclusively to the productivity o

During this summer, I found myself revisiting "Peopleware," authored by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister. One chapter is devoted exclusively to the productivity of creative professionals, including engineers and designers, in workspaces accommodating over three people – a norm in contemporary offices. It baffles me how some employers, in their attempts to economize on office rental costs, place more than 20 employees in a single space. This results in constant distractions that disrupt focus and hinder flow, consequently lowering the productivity of these employees. For employees that have a dedicated home-office, returning to office means constant distractions, coming in early or staying late to be able to actually get some work done etc. And then, the commute. Wasting my time because my employer is stubborn and wants me in the office.