Whenever a business brings up implementing an open-floor office, some employees may assume that this decision is intended to appease younger workers. In a world where more employees are expected to approach retirement within the next 10 to 15 years, does the open floor plan really push the “Baby Boomers” out?
Based on interviews with workers over 50 years old, not so much. The Royal College of Art in London did a study on the impact of an open floor layout and found that older workers don’t mind the change. In fact, their qualms about this type of office design sound oddly similar to younger staff members — lack of noise control and privacy inhibited productivity.
“A well-conceived workplace can be a significant help in supporting this process,” the study reads.
Business owners who plan on remodeling the office, but fear backlash from older employees shouldn’t worry, Jeremy Myerson explained to the Guardian. Similar to Millennials, tenured staffers have endured changes within their respective markets, so they are well-aware of the reasoning behind these adjustments. Instead, employers should purchase quality office furniture that meets their work habits.
“Bigger desks to spread things out and bigger backdrops to pin things up will enhance collaborative modes of working for older people,” Myerson wrote.
Companies that take the time to leverage collaborative and independent work environments are in a position to boost productivity and morale among workers.
Getting these new cubicles, work desks, and office chairs doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. Quality Office Liquidations can help startups and established organizations create an office that suits their needs. Through the use of lightly used commercial furnishings, this goal can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
