About 5 years ago our company shifted from a more traditional private offices to a wide open “european/tech style” office environment to “to improve collaboration”.
I hated it. Too noisy. To much distraction and now the culture of the company seemed to encourage distraction and interruption. I managed to maneuver my way into one of the few private offices just so I could have a door to close. Even then I had to put up a sign that basically said “if the door is closed and the building isn’t on fire, don’t open it.”
In some regards for me the pandemic was a blessing. Fully remote now, company decided to shut down the office in our location and rely on rentable conference space if we need a day together. It’s just my wife, dog, and I in a shared office with each of us respectful of distractions. It’s bliss. It would be nearly impossible for me to return to an office again. I’ll opt to retire first.
I hated it. Too noisy. To much distraction and now the culture of the company seemed to encourage distraction and interruption. I managed to maneuver my way into one of the few private offices just so I could have a door to close. Even then I had to put up a sign that basically said “if the door is closed and the building isn’t on fire, don’t open it.”
In some regards for me the pandemic was a blessing. Fully remote now, company decided to shut down the office in our location and rely on rentable conference space if we need a day together. It’s just my wife, dog, and I in a shared office with each of us respectful of distractions. It’s bliss. It would be nearly impossible for me to return to an office again. I’ll opt to retire first.