I'll add my anecdotal data point (several, across my personal experience) that it's not that uncommon. There is also the phenomenon of in/at cube meetings. Se

I'll add my anecdotal data point (several, across my personal experience) that it's not that uncommon. There is also the phenomenon of in/at cube meetings. Seriously. In a development shop. Add to that, shared cubes or "cubettes" approaching a bullpen type arrangement. You're supposed to sit there and be productive while an hour long conversation takes place 3 feet away. Depending upon the personalities, over which you also have zero control, sometimes a quite animated discussion. Many people who complain about open space working environments do so for very good reasons. I'm to the point now of simply refusing to participate in them, and I suggest others consider this course, as well. Move on to something better, and trust/hope that when only those who "don't care" remain, the institution will fail under its own incompetence. And... investigate this topic during your hiring. If the person has actively participated in advocating/implementing an open-space plan, pass them by. Yes, this is a rather opinionated position, and many won't agree. Nonetheless, after too much misery in crap open-space arrangements and arrangements that have been forced into open-space, I'm done having anything to do with it and with those who inflict it upon unwilling participants.