Office Open Space Hell

September 9th

Those two men — Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle — until last week I had no idea those people existed and that I hate them with passion. Apparently, they are the business consultants who in the 1950s created/invented the “open space” office layout. I know that many companies are (slowly) going back from that idea but for the last 70 years, countless millions of office workers were subjected to work in those inhumane and terrible conditions created by those two German brothers. I guess they are dead by now but if they weren’t I would have some strong words with them. Maybe I would even shake my fist at them, I am that angry at what they created/ This is so against any reason and human nature. I understand that the idea was to increase collaboration and interaction (not to mention lower costs to build and maintain those offices) but what about all negative issues? With all the noise and constant movement, there is a significant decrease in my ability to focus and concentrate. I cannot count how many times a day I am distracted by a loud conversation or noisy phone call or just by people walking by talking or arguing. That only leads to stress (actually more stress than is there just working in a corporate environment), anger, and errors (and very possibly to long-term physical and psychological problems). Don’t employers know it? I mean — they have to know that “open space” is not conducive to a good work environment. Do they do it just to put rank and file employees in their place i.e. down just because they can? That is another reason for me to quit the office/corporate career path. I cannot stand the constant barrage of voices from every direction and constant stimuli from movement and lights coming from every direction. I think I will go for a walk in the woods today after work (only 3 more hours to go, yay!) just to calm myself down and to enjoy the silence and peace of mind.