Officelopnik

"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei) 02/13/2015 at 19:51 • Filed to: None

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So we got an email today that we are moving to an open office layout when we move to a new floor in two weeks. I already have enough trouble concentrating on my work when I'm answering questions from everyone else every five or so minutes, and this is likely going to make things worse.

To top it off, we may not have external screens, keyboards, and mice with docking stations because "We're a mobile company!" and "Laptops are just fine"

Except even with my laptop, I want a good keyboard, and almost all laptop keyboards are crap. Same thing with mice. (Hence why I use a 7 year old Microsoft mouse, and a no-name keyboard that I am fond of the key action).

I also am not a fan of the unassigned seating, and because I come in later than most (because I'll be damned if I'm leaving at 6AM to show up at an office just to get a desk, and sit in ridiculous traffic along the way), and we have fewer desks in our new area than we have people in our department.

This is starting to cause me anxiety, because the only thing that keeps me sane at my office is the fact that I have MY space, and it is MY space, and everyone is well aware that you do not use MY space (unless you never want to hear the end of it from me)

I've said to my boss that I will *try* the new layout, but that if it doesn't work, then we will have to make changes. What I haven't told him is that I may go to a psychologist and get a note that recommends an accommodation of an assigned location under the ADA (Diagnosed at various points in my childhood with ADD, high functioning autism, Aspergers, and a few others that slip my mind).

This is really driving me up a wall! I need calm or something.

EDIT: I did ask him that if we are truly a mobile company, then what exactly is wrong with working remotely? Well, our policy doesn't allow that. Then why are we doing this, since the goal appears to save on the company's rent cost, if you really want everyone in the office? If you want everyone in the office, you have to pay for the space to house them. "But they are travelling!" So why not have both assigned seating for those who are normally in the office (like me), and hotelling spaces for those who are normally not in the office? Why not both?

ranwhenparked > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 02/13/2015 at 22:19

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Open offices are supposed to be the "progressive" thing and so are an easy way for a company to make itself seem modern and "with it".

We're also told that Millennials prefer that format and work better that way, though as a 29 year old that has had office jobs, I would absolutely hate it. Cubicles get a bad rap, but I honestly prefer having my own private space, however small, to being out in the open in full view of everyone all the time. Private offices are the ideal, but it isn't logistically possible to give one to every employee in every firm, so a cubicle is an acceptable compromise.

Breakrooms, breakout rooms, conference rooms, and lounge areas are for collaboration and discussion, personal workspaces are for individual work. Let's not mix them up.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > ranwhenparked 02/14/2015 at 08:21

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I'm 27, and think it's the dumbest thing I've heard so far this year. Mainly due to the fact that although they have added conference rooms, the problem is that they tend to get monopolized for a single project and no one else can use them.

And work is more than collaboration. At some point, you need other people in the office to shut up and go away so you can get things done. But that doesn't happen with open plan offices with unassigned seating.

Plus I'm considering taking a non prime spot and just leaving my stuff there. And buying a few Kensington locks to keep it there.