The Open Office Myth: What It’s Really Costing Your Team

For years, we’ve been told that open office layouts fuel collaboration, spark creativity, and break down silos.

But what if the opposite is true?

What if open offices weren’t designed to foster teamwork—but to monitor it?

The Surveillance Origins of the Open Office

Open floor plans trace their roots back to the early 1900s and the rise of Taylorism—a management system that believed efficiency could be engineered through control and observation. Desks were arranged in long rows so every worker was visible, every movement trackable. Supervision wasn’t subtle—it was the design.

By the mid-20th century, companies embraced open layouts for a new reason: cost. Removing walls reduced construction expenses and increased headcount per square foot. It also gave the illusion of transparency—without changing who held power.

In the 1990s and 2000s, tech startups popularized the aesthetic: open spaces, whiteboards, beanbags. It looked collaborative—but often wasn’t.

A Harvard study found open offices reduce face-to-face collaboration by 70%, as employees withdraw to digital communication like Slack and email to avoid constant noise, interruptions, and lack of privacy.

And the consequences go beyond teamwork.

What the Data Actually Says

Despite their modern look, open offices often undermine the very things they claim to support. Research shows:

• A 70% drop in in-person collaboration after switching to open layouts (Harvard Business Review, 2018)

• A 62% increase in sick days and significantly lower perceived productivity, as employees struggle with noise, distraction, and the stress of always being watched

• Higher stress levels and lower job satisfaction in open environments

• Overstimulation and cognitive overload that impairs focus and deep work

• A decline in creativity and fewer moments of meaningful, independent thinking—especially for introverts

In short, the layout that was supposed to bring us together is actually pulling us apart—mentally, emotionally, and professionally.

Visibility Isn’t the Same as Productivity

When we confuse visibility with value, we design workplaces that reward looking busy instead of doing great work. We build spaces optimized for interruption—not innovation.

So instead of asking, “How can we see our employees more?”
We should be asking, “How can we support them better?”

It’s Time to Rethink the Modern Workspace

The future of work isn’t louder. It’s more intentional. More human. And it’s built around what actually drives performance: privacy, focus, flexibility, and trust.

Let’s design workspaces that prioritize people—not just presence.

At RESSET, we help organizations redesign how work happens—so teams are healthier, more focused, and built to thrive. Connect with us for more info!