Our Guide To Increasing Privacy Within The Office

Lack of privacy in open office spaces is a significant problem for the employees. Insufficient sound and visual privacy, like lack of window film, are common workplace complaints. Moreover, confidentiality also becomes a significant issue. If employees are not satisfied and comfortable in their workplace, it will lead to a lack of productivity. Hence some of these guidelines must be taken care of while creating or renovating an office space.

Sound Absorbing Interiors

Open office spaces are noisy and chaotic, making it extremely difficult for employees to concentrate on their specific jobs. Investing in soft furnishing so that the sound is absorbed is an excellent choice for the décor. Additionally, the office space can be divided into different zones, so that the desk space can be separated from the social zones. Carpeted flooring for the entire workstation would also be beneficial in minimizing noise levels.

Spatial Privacy

According to research results, there has been a significant reduction in office space per worker over some time. It is probably due to increased real estate prices. However, this becomes a significant challenge in terms of privacy, as shared workstations have become the norm nowadays. Even if it is challenging to provide each worker their workspace, offices should undoubtedly try for it. Offices should create small cubicles or allow employees to make use of boardroom spaces when the undivided focus is required for a task.

Visual Privacy

A shared workspace is never too comfortable for employees as they continuously feel they are being scrutinized. Having a feeling of being monitored all the time does not create a healthy work environment. It reduces the interest and productivity of the employees. Creating separate cubicles with temporary desk dividers is one way in which visual segregation can be created.

Adding a window tint to office windows might provide greater privacy for the employees. The tint increases the opaqueness of windows, making it difficult (almost impossible) to see through from the outside. In this way, privacy window film prevents outsiders from catching a glimpse of your office interiors.

Personal Space

Employers must understand the personal needs of every worker. They have their own lives outside the office space, which they need to attend to at times during working hours. Therefore, areas like a common room, meeting room, etc. should be constructed within an open office where employees can go and have their phone conversations, email checking, etc. if they need to.

There might be plenty of creative ways to ensure privacy inside the office, depending on construction and reorganization. These are, however, the fundamental ones that should be kept in mind.