Workplace Distractions: How Open Office Plans May Be Hurting Productivity and Well-Being
Open office layouts were once hailed as the solution for better collaboration and teamwork. But in recent years, growing concerns about workplace distractions, stress, and reduced productivity have raised questions about whether open offices are actually helping — or hurting — employees.
In this article, we explore the surprising science behind open office plans, and how noise, lack of privacy, and disrupted communication may be undermining both well-being and performance at work.
The Open Office Idea: Designed for Collaboration
The open office concept has been around since the 1960s, originating from the German design trend Burolandschaft (meaning “office landscape”). It aimed to break down barriers between employees by replacing enclosed offices with shared spaces, plants instead of partitions, and open flows between teams.
Modern open offices now range from minimalist designs to tech-laden creative spaces. But whatever the layout, the goal is the same: increase collaboration, reduce costs, and create a more dynamic workplace.
Yet despite these intentions, science is telling a different story.
Do Open Offices Really Boost Interaction? The Data Says No
While open offices are meant to encourage communication, studies suggest they may do the opposite.
A landmark study published in Philosophical Transactions B (2018) found that face-to-face interactions decreased by 70% after employees transitioned from private offices to open spaces. Instead, electronic communication — emails and instant messages — increased.
Before the switch, employees interacted directly for nearly 6 hours per day. After the transition, that dropped to just 1.5–2 hours.
The researchers concluded that open offices may actually lead people to socially withdraw, avoiding noise and distractions by relying more on digital communication.
Top Workplace Distractions in Open Office Layouts
If open offices don’t foster collaboration, what gets in the way? Two consistent sources of distraction and dissatisfaction have been identified:
1. Noise in the Workplace
Phone calls, coughing, keyboard clatter, and ongoing conversations create a constant background of sound. This acoustic contamination makes it difficult to concentrate and contributes to fatigue and frustration — key factors in reduced productivity.
2. Lack of Privacy
Humans need moments of solitude — even at work. In open offices, it’s harder to step away from constant stimulation. Many employees use headphones not just to enjoy music, but to create a psychological barrier from their surroundings. This attempt to regain a sense of control is a direct response to workplace stress.
Does the Open Office Cause More Stress?
Anecdotally, many workers report feeling more stressed in open office environments. And science has started to investigate the link.
One Danish study (2011) found that employees in open offices had 62% more sick days than those in private or semi-private workspaces. Another study tied open office layouts to lower job satisfaction and higher mental fatigue.
However, not all research points in the same direction. A U.S. study using wearable sensors found that workers in open offices were more physically active and reported lower perceived stress — but the researchers noted limitations. It’s possible that increased movement was driven by the need to find quiet or privacy, and the stress-reducing benefits of movement may have masked the stress-inducing environment.
So while the direct link between open office layouts and chronic stress needs more research, most evidence suggests that these layouts increase workplace distractions — and that can indirectly impact well-being.
Open Office Productivity: Gains or Losses?
The very thing open offices were meant to enhance — productivity — may actually decline in these environments.
Reduced focus, fragmented conversations, and digital overload all contribute to a less efficient workflow. And when people don’t feel they have control over their environment or time, stress rises.
In fact, some companies that initially adopted open floor plans have since moved back to more enclosed or hybrid layouts after recognizing drops in output and employee satisfaction.
The Bottom Line: Rethinking the Open Office
Despite decades of popularity, the open office trend deserves a second look. While it may work for certain teams or industries, the evidence suggests that noise, lack of privacy, and workplace distractions often outweigh the intended benefits.
If your team struggles with focus, stress, or communication in an open layout, it may be time to:
- Offer quiet rooms or phone booths for private calls and deep work
- Encourage flexible work arrangements to reduce crowding
- Provide noise-canceling options or support designated quiet zones
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