Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!att!pacbell!ames!xanth!ginosko!uunet!pdn!dinsdale!reggie From: reggie@dinsdale.nm.paradyne.com (George W. Leach) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Re: Office Survey Results.................. Message-ID: <6474@pdn.paradyne.com> Date: 7 Aug 89 11:13:59 GMT References: <10440004@hp-lsd.HP.COM> Sender: news@pdn.paradyne.com Reply-To: reggie@dinsdale.paradyne.com (George W. Leach) Organization: AT&T Suncoast Division, Largo FL Lines: 80 In article <10440004@hp-lsd.HP.COM> ritchie@hp-lsd.HP.COM (Dave Ritchie) writes: >To all, > here is the summary of responses I received regarding my post >requesting information concerning office space. The names have been >removed. >========================================================================== Most people seem to share the same opinions on this subject. However, there was one entry that took a different view: >========================================================================== >At Bellcore, we have, almost for all technical staff, two-person closed >offices -- most without windows. Right, I worked at Bellcore, so I know what this person is talking about :-) >The privacy is nice on occasion, but the isolation from one another is, in my >opinion, a psychological factor that may not be well studied. I have read the >reports about private offices, phone pick-up, noise reduction, etc. I know >they advocate all three as productivity enhancers. I have to disagree here. The privacy is not nice on occasion. It is essential when performing tasks that require thinking and concentration. *I* never had to close the door at Bellcore. At other places I have worked there is *NO* escape from the noise. I also arrive at work very early in the morning so that I can get something done before the noise starts around 8AM. >I agree with the noise and the phone pick-up. I am not so sure that the of- >fice privacy comes without its down side. I have been to various HP loca- >tions (as well as those of many other companies). I do not feel that the >open style at HP was noisy or invaded my sense of "privacy" in any meaning- >ful way. I find this rather hard to believe. How long did this person work in any such environment. >I like it better as it is brighter and there is a sense in which everyone has >a "window." One of our buildings in Piscataway is done with movable (takes >some effort but no demolition) metal (not at all ugly though) walls which have >glass at the tops. Thus, natural light does get in to almost all the offices >to some degree. Not much light gets to someone sitting in a cube. I would never know if it is day or night, raining or sunny, except for the moise on the roof :-) >This is what I think is important. I think there have been studies (apart from >those done in the computer field) about natural light simulation and its impor- >tance to many people. People ought to consider that along with privacy since >the light might be more of a spirit enhancer which may be far more important >in boosting productivity, attitude, etc. Windows are nice. I have had offices on the interior of the floor and those with windows. However, there are other problems like glare affecting the surface of your workstation. >On the other hand, I adapt fairly well wherever I work and have never worked >where the physical conditions were poor. However, I KNOW I work better when >I have natural light available. In fact, I prefer to work on a sunny day and >am not motivated much at all when it is dreary out. Well then you must not be all that productive working in New Jersey :-) Seriously, there are some people who are not affected as much as others when it comes to noise. I don't know if this is conditioning or what. All I know is that I have worked in a variety of situations and having a room with walls is essential. At least *YOU* may choose when you want isolation. With cubicals, as many pointed out in the article you are at the mercy of those around you. As far as the social factor goes, how hard is it for someone to get up and walk into someone else's room to talk? If people being is different offices is preventing talking, you have far greater problems. Using cubes won't solve them. George W. Leach AT&T Paradyne (uunet|att)!pdn!reggie Mail stop LG-133 Phone: 1-813-530-2376 P.O. Box 2826 FAX: 1-813-530-8224 Largo, FL USA 34649-2826