Why open plan offices suck

[Mich the Tester]

I worked down a sewer for a year after leaving poly so most offices are OK for me. One exception; rooms without windows. I don't like that at all; might be a consequence of getting trapped under a manhole for what felt like days but was actually an hour when someone went off for lunch without telling me, for which he recieved summary dismissal from the boss; golden rule in sewage is to never leave a man on his own and never close up the manhole until everyone's been counted in and out. Bloody pillock.

On the whole though I agree that open plan is not such a good idea as it's cracked up to be.

[MyUserName]

Never really bothers me. I have not noticed any loud talkers or other issues people mention. One bank in London was a bit of hassle because there were so many of us crowded in that you had very little personal space. I could not stretch my arms out without hitting the people either side of me.

[vetran]

I hate open plan, can never concentrate and everyone walks up and asks stupid questions because I know the answer.

Did a stint in open plan for a year drove me crazy. It seems to be about control & communication,

I have had an office either singular or shared with one other (I have been lucky with my companions) the worst one was where the back stairs were used as a toilet by truck drivers parking outside overnight. My office was by the back stairs on the first floor

[Mich the Tester]

I hate open plan, can never concentrate and everyone walks up and asks stupid questions because I know the answer.

I have a magic phrase that can help you, but you might need to use it for a couple of weeks before it works. But it will work, and when it does it's a great relief.

[vetran]

I have a magic phrase that can help you, but you might need to use it for a couple of weeks before it works. But it will work, and when it does it's a great relief.

shut up & invoice?

[Mich the Tester]

shut up & invoice?

I don't know.

[woohoo]

I worked in an open plan office, opposite problem from you though. It was deathly quiet, no one spoke at all. I did get lots done but you do need to take a break from your work even if only to have a quick chat or joke with someone. I didn't renew the contract mainly because it was so boring and exhausting to work there.

[OwlHoot]

Always worked in open plan offices, so I guess I'm used to it.

Sucks when you have to sit near a loud talker. ...

Or worse still a loud cougher.

There's a guy sitting behind me (facing away mercifully) who coughs like a TB victim, and he doesn't even smoke, the sick twat!

A month ago it was practically non-stop all day, although it seems to be improving slightly now and he just has a coughing fit in the afternoon.

I wish he would either just hurry up and get better or else die with a good grace and give us some peace and quiet!

[VectraMan]

I worked in an open plan office, opposite problem from you though. It was deathly quiet, no one spoke at all. I did get lots done but you do need to take a break from your work even if only to have a quick chat or joke with someone. I didn't renew the contract mainly because it was so boring and exhausting to work there.

It's often like that where I am now. I'd also rather have a bit of background noise and chatter, within reason. It's 8 of us here, but I worked in an open plan office with about 40 people, some of whom were making phone calls all day, and that didn't bother me at all.

[CloudWalker]

were open plan and have the radio on + free Drinks / Fruit all day