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Re:The Open-Office Trap by pm90 on Wednesday December 03, 2014 @05:16PM (#8696666)
I work for a company whose entire office is on an open plan. Yes, even the CEO sits in a cubicle, as do all the senior management and stuff. And this is not a startup, mind you, its a mid size company.

Although it was kinda scary at first, I've adapted to it, and can see the practical benefits. Not having special offices, there is a sense of egalitarianism amongst the workers and none of the usual rat-race for better offices. As pointed out in another comment, most employees tend to use headphones when they need privacy. Since all the cubicles are the same, maintenance is a breeze.

I guess it depends on your temperament. If you really just like to be left alone when working, it won't help. For me, having so many people around kinda prevents me from going drowsy, which used to happen a lot at my previous job.

Re:The Open-Office Trap by bengarvey on Wednesday December 03, 2014 @05:18PM (#8696678)
If you have cubicles, I don't think that's an open office.
Re:The Open-Office Trap by pm90 on Wednesday December 03, 2014 @05:20PM (#8696693)
Ah, you're right. I might have misunderstood the meaning of the term open-office. Apologies.

If its just a bunch of people sitting on tables without any sort of division ... I can see why that would be annoying.

Re:The Open-Office Trap by Sophistifunk on Wednesday December 03, 2014 @05:38PM (#8696808)
What about those half-height cubicles? That's what I've dealt with in almost every enterprise/gov position I've been in over the years in .au
Re:The Open-Office Trap by bengarvey on Wednesday December 03, 2014 @05:42PM (#8696822)
If you can see people while you are sitting, I'd consider that an open office.