Business & Finance Open plan office

[Caesar]

It depends on the industry. These days offices tend to be allocated on a needs-basis rather than as a personal prestige factor, and if your job doesn't involve frequent confidential meetings you usually don't need one.

Even relatively junior lawyers, accountants etc. often have their own offices because their job frequently involves face-to-face meetings on-premises regarding sensitive matters, so privacy and firm prestige is important. Conversely very highly-paid engineers, software programmers, marketing and advertising executives, etc. often work in open plan environments because it's better for morale and creativity, or they may spend a lot of time offsite and an office is a waste of space.

Anyway, a lot of the time when you're a manager you'd rather be in the bullpen with your team than off in an office by yourself. You're better plugged in to what's going on.

 

[geejay76]

Worked in one for about 9 years after 2 years in an office, took a lot of getting used to, that's for sure. It's pretty much the norm in professional service firms these days - it is meant to foster and encourage greater teamwork.

Like Caesar I would go away from my desk when on larger conference calls (which I used to have a lot of) or for personal calls. I was lucky to have a wireless headset which allowed me to walk out onto the balcony at my office if I wanted some privacy, which was handy. I wisely always made sure I had a desk with a wall behind me so I had a little privacy.

Adapting to other people in the office is always tough though - some people just have zero awareness of what they are doing and how loud they speak - it's worse when they involve others while you are trying to concentrate. iPods and noise cancelling headphones proved very handy!

 

[Dawson]

Get off your pedestal you sanctimonious tosser. The vast majority of workplaces these days are open plan.

The last two organisations I have worked for have been fairly prominent and the only people that had their own office were the CEO and Company Secretary.

General Managers, and professionals with 15+ years experience and on considerable salaries were out in the "bullpen" with everyone else.

Then perhaps you need to work in an industry where real professionals work instead of working in one of those 'pretend' professions

 

[Caesar]

What's your definition of a profession?

 

[Dawson]

What's your definition of a profession?

Gutter Sweeper

 

[Caesar]

Well now you're just trolling.

 

[nicky]

Then perhaps you need to work in an industry where real professionals work instead of working in one of those 'pretend' professions

Dawson, one week you're bragging about being an ex jailbird (as in been locked up for being a criminal) and threatening people over the internet (ie. big footy and facebook) and the next week you're claiming to be a "real professional".

So what do you do that is so remarkable that you hold yourself on a higher pedastal than 80% of professionals who work in an open plan office.

ps. you are so full of it.

 

[Dawson]

Dawson, one week you're bragging about being an ex jailbird (as in been locked up for being a criminal) and threatening people over the internet (ie. big footy and facebook) and the next week you're claiming to be a "real professional".

So what do you do that is so remarkable that you hold yourself on a higher pedastal than 80% of professionals who work in an open plan office.

ps. you are so full of it.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, but nice story bro

 

[Dawson]

Well now you're just trolling.

But that is what I do.

I know perception to some people becomes reality, but I do sweep gutters. What you in your presumption do, is to assume I do it with a broom on the side of a road.

If you think a little bit broader it should become a little clearer.

 

[Caesar]

I asked for your definition of what constitutes a profession, not an example. I don't give a shit what you do, nor how you choose to metaphorically describe it.

 

[Dawson]

Oh, ok then

 

[nicky]

Oh, ok then

My god you're a knob end and that is how i know you're murray. No-one else pretends to be all obi one kenobi like with the intellect of doug hawkins.

 

[Dawson]

Good bloke is Dougie

 

[emuboy]

The worst thing about an open plan office is having to work with slackers.

I once worked towards the front of an open plan office, and both and I and the lady I worked with had to answer the reception phone and serve customers because the receptionist (a blonde bimbo seemingly employed for her looks rather than her work skills or ethic), would vanish off to the toilet for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Our work and phone calls piled up covering for the receptionist, and needless to say it was very frustrating.

 

[The Passenger]

Good point. Why do the office gays take their birthday so seriously?

probably too distract people from the pointlessness of their day

 

[Caesar]

Good point. Why do the office gays take their birthday so seriously?

Not ever having worked with anyone who I knew was gay I'm not even sure how accurate this generalisation is.

But theorising, it may be because they don't have families to celebrate with. Very few gay couples have kids, and statistically they tend to be single more and in relationships less than hetrosexuals.

 

[saj_21]

lol i know, it just shows his complete ignorance and lends me to believe he's on benefits.

I work on a floor with GMs, Program Directors who are on $300k +. Not that money is everything but it highlights the fact that there isn't a stigma to working in an open plan office.

The company i work for, there new head office is completely open plan no one has a office, that is from the CEO down. We in turn have a large number of meeting and quiet rooms to allow for private conversations.

All of the people i sit near are really good and are not annoying, sometimes people can assign themselves annoying ringtones though. You get the occasional loud talker but that is no big deal.

 

[Black Flag]

Generally frowned upon
[youtube]TNhoTnIhZ_Y[/youtube]

haha, funny but fake.

 

[Total_Juddshanks]

My first job was open plan, but currently the proud opener of four walls and a door, and would happily drink the blood of my firstborn to keep it that way.