The Downside Of Open Offices, Glass Walls

The benefits are undeniable. “Better communication and collaboration, lower real-estate and energy costs, more natural light and expansive outdoor views for all,” says Shellenbarger. One ad agency that moved its employees into an open floor plan last year say work gets done in a fraction of the time. Open offices are so popular that 68% of workplaces have “open plan” or “open seating” design, with desks separated by either low or no walls, according to a 2010 survey by a facilities management association.

But