We love them, we hate them, above all we have them more and more. And once decided by the management that it’s the way to work, they can hardly be avoided:
The open space offices.

Already in 2010, a study by HSLU in collaboration with SECO showed that Switzerland doesn’t like open-plan offices much; more than 50% of the participants stated that they felt disturbed or very disturbed by noise and a quarter of the open space workers even stated that they felt stressed (1).

In order for the dissatisfaction with the job to not immediately result in the search for a new employer, here are a few tips on what you can do for a more relaxed day-to-day work:

  • If you don’t have a permanent workplace, look for a strategically good place in the morning. Ideally at the window, because daylight keeps you awake, but be careful: direct sunlight disturbs!
  • Plan breaks, leave the desk every 2 hours, or even better, the room.
  • If you have a standing desk, you alternate between standing and sitting. Otherwise: Get up at least once an hour – whether to the printer, the water dispenser or the so-called ‘quiet place’ (restoom). It’s not without reason that sitting is called new smoking!
  • Signal to your team if you don’t want to be disturbed – put on headphones or even put a “do not disturb” sign next to you. If all else fails, reserve a meeting room or leave your concentration work for your home office day, if allowed.
  • Drink! Drinking water not only keeps you hydrated, it also keeps you more able to concentrate, when bad indoor air makes you feel tired.

 

Last but not least, don’t forget to enjoy the advantages of working in open space.

 

 

Are you looking for a coach that supports you in working more focused in open office or home office? Passionate about efficiency and productivity, we are here to support you! Together we can elaborate your personalized plan that helps you become more efficient and effective.

Reach out now for a non-committal 15 minute get to know conversation. 

 

The original version of this article was published in German in the magazine “Die Wirtschaftsfrau”.

 

 

 

(1): https://www.hslu.ch/de-ch/hochschule-luzern/forschung/projekte/detail/?pid=999