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Why do some people feel uncomfortable in an open-plan office?
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Psychological backgrounds, studies & practical solutions
Open-plan offices are considered modern, efficient and collaborative. They promote exchange, save space and enable open communication. Nevertheless, many employees report discomfort, concentration problems and increased stress levels in precisely such work environments. Why is that so?
The answer is deeply rooted in human psychology. Various studies clearly show that the layout of our workplace has a direct influence on our performance, satisfaction and health.
Why are open-plan offices stressful?
A basic problem of open work environments is the constant overload of stimuli. Voices, phone calls, movement in space or spontaneous interruptions cause our brain to constantly switch back and forth between different stimuli. This phenomenon is also known as “cognitive load.”
Highly sensitive people perceive a particularly large number of environmental stimuli; they often react more strongly in such environments. Every acoustic, visual or social stimulus is processed consciously or unconsciously — this often leads to excessive demands, exhaustion and stress for these people.
Recent Studies: How Open-Plan Offices Influence Concentration, Stress Levels and Productivity
- Noise as a stress factor:
A study by Stockholm University Shows that a consistently high level of noise reduces the release of stress hormones by up to 25% increased. In the long term, this leads to Prostration, irritability and reduced productivity. - Lack of privacy:
According to an investigation by Harvard Business School report 76% of employees in open-plan officesThat they are frequently distracted and their concentration suffers greatly as a result. - Negative effects of interruptions:
A study by University of California Proves that, on average, it 10 to 15 minutes Takes until employees are back exactly where they were in the work process after an interruption. In an open office, where spontaneous questions, phone calls and conversations occur frequently, this loss of productivity adds up significantly. - Social monitoring & pressure:
Psychological studies show that people feel uncomfortable when they feel like they're being watched all the time. Open offices quickly give the impression of being under permanent social control — colleagues can see who is taking breaks and how often or what is currently being worked on. For many, this creates the subliminal pressure Not wanting to do anything wrongTo be “visible” and available all the time. This not only affects well-being, but also creativity and error culture. - Personality factors:
Die University of Texas Found out that introverts Often find open work environments overwhelming. Extroverts are more likely to benefit from social dynamics, while introverts tire more quickly due to continuous stimulus levels.
The psychology behind stress and distraction in open-plan offices
Loss of control in everyday work: People are demonstrably more comfortable when they have autonomy over their work environment. This includes being able to decide for themselves when and how they work, where they take breaks or how they design their workplace. In open-plan offices, this control is often lost. Conversations take place unplanned, distractions can hardly be avoided, and places of retreat are missing. This increases the feeling of being at the mercy of external stimuli and can lead to permanent mental stress.
Social Norms and Subliminal Pressure: Open office structures increase visibility, which creates transparency on the one hand, but also creates social pressure on the other. Anyone who shuts themselves off with headphones or consciously withdraws runs the risk of being perceived as aloof or not very team-oriented. Many employees therefore avoid necessary breaks or do not dare to clearly differentiate themselves. This constant feeling of being watched has a negative effect on psychological well-being and also inhibits creativity and an open error culture.
Practical Approaches: How can working in an open-plan office be improved?
The central challenge of an open-plan office is to combine the advantages of an open concept (communication, collaboration) with the needs for peace, privacy and individual control.
Targeted breaks & retreats: Companies should consciously relax areas or bookable rooms Integrate where concentrated work is possible. Employees can temporarily withdraw from open space and reduce their cognitive load.
Multi-space concepts as a solution: In modern multi-space work environments, various office types are combined in one concept. For example, open areas are used for teamwork, retreat spaces for individual work, creative zones and relaxation areas. Employees can flexibly choose the appropriate room depending on their work task. This increases motivation and satisfaction as well as productivity. Should you implement such different spaces in your company, it is important to make the various rooms bookable with user-friendly tools, such as goconut.
Establish communication rules: Transparent agreements within the team — for example over fixed time windows for concentrated work without interruptions — reduce unwanted disruptions and give every employee the opportunity to work efficiently.
Train to consciously switch off: Short mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques or microbreaks promote mental recovery. Companies can provide appropriate offers, such as short meditation sessions or relaxation areas, to counteract constant availability.
Conclusion: Is one workplace for everyone right for your company?
The most important finding is that not everyone functions the same way. While some people flourish in open-plan offices, others need more retreat and structure. Successful workplace design must take psychological diversity into account in order to develop the full potential of employees.
The future lies in flexibility. Companies that take this into account benefit not only from satisfied employees in the long term, but also from higher productivity and reduced downtime.
If you would like to learn more about the topic or need help designing your new office, feel free to contact our experts on the subject. You can reach us via this Contact form.
