Making an Open Office Plan Work

Making an Open Office Plan Work

Whether it’s your home or office, many people today are opting for an open floor plan. The problem is that not all businesses find the open space to be as productive. While they often look modern and typically increase collaboration and creativity, they can sometimes cause distraction and hinder workflow. For those working with a limited budget, finding the exact office space isn’t exactly in the cards, no matter your style, and you need to learn to make the best of what you have.

Below are a few simple tips to help increase productivity in an open office space:

Control Noise Levels

Noise can create a problematic environment when not properly controlled. There is nothing wrong with forming a few standard guidelines to ensure all employees are comfortable. This includes making sure all cell phone ringers and notifications are put on silent, taking personal phone calls outside or in the hall, and avoiding conversions beyond your immediate neighbor when at your desk. Meetings, whether with clients or internal, should be held in a designated conference room or in a location far enough from the other employees as not to distract them.

Keep it Clean

In an open office floor plan, you need to remember that everyone can see how you keep your space and personal messes can often overflow into the common area. Keeping your desk clean is not only helpful for the individual employee, but for the entire team. It also looks good when clients and new employees enter the room. It may be a smart move to buy desk organizers or shelves for all employees to help set a standard of tidiness.

The kitchen area of an office can easily cause issues. Make sure to throw out any uneaten food before it goes bad and clean up any messes left behind. Also keep in mind that some foods can bring with them a strong odor that others may not appreciate. Common courtesy and respect for fellow employees goes a long way in an open office.

Develop Some Boundaries

Creating some sort of office boundaries may seem unnecessary at first, but it helps keep a level playing field for all employees and gives them a platform if any concerns should arise. You may have HR create the guidelines, or push for employee input. This offers insight into how your employees view daily life in the office and what you can do to improve it.

It is also important to create specific areas meant for socializing, separate from the usual workspace. Providing your employees with these areas helps prevent burnout from silently sitting at a desk all day and encourages collaborative thinking. Whether it be a place to eat lunch or brainstorm project ideas, just make sure these areas are being utilized properly.

If you recently moved into an open office space and aren’t quite sure how to manage the functionality of the space, contact Office Flip today. They specialize in space planning and can help create a positive workflow for you and your employees.