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CEOs Want Their Offices Back

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Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#341

Post by [deleted] »

darioush wrote: post #297
khazhoux wrote: post #227

We have an open floor plan, and it works like this: * Desk area is for getting work done. Everyone agrees on this. * We have "phone rooms" for small discussions. But we limit those usually to 1:1s or discussing office politics. * Try to limit all discussions at the desk area to 5 people or less. * If someone sighs loudly as they put on their headphones when you're having a discussion right behind them, then that is t…

"Engineers tend to be extroverted" Where did you get your statistics on that one?

[deleted]

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#342

Post by ionwake »

khazhoux wrote: post #227

We have an open floor plan, and it works like this: * Desk area is for getting work done. Everyone agrees on this. * We have "phone rooms" for small discussions. But we limit those usually to 1:1s or discussing office politics. * Try to limit all discussions at the desk area to 5 people or less. * If someone sighs loudly as they put on their headphones when you're having a discussion right behind them, then that is t…

First time I've been softly trolled on HN. Well played.

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#343

Post by watwut »

petters wrote: post #331
darioush wrote: post #297

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Engineers tend to be extroverted" Where did you get your statistics on that one?

The parent comment is of course sarcasm, but I wonder… Are there any studies that significantly concludes that engineers are more extrovert of more introvert than the general population?

Probably none. There is also a thing about stuff like this changing overtime, between engineering branches and between places depending on local culture.

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#344

Post by rainbowmverse »

blablabla123 wrote: post #336
khazhoux wrote: post #227

We have an open floor plan, and it works like this: * Desk area is for getting work done. Everyone agrees on this. * We have "phone rooms" for small discussions. But we limit those usually to 1:1s or discussing office politics. * Try to limit all discussions at the desk area to 5 people or less. * If someone sighs loudly as they put on their headphones when you're having a discussion right behind them, then that is t…

If single offices were the optimum, why aren't we all working from home in single apartments anyway? I think the more open the place, the better. We are social animals. If people choose solitude, it's likely for wrong reasons. (Not saying that there aren't ever reasons for that, (almost) everybody needs some privacy every now and then.) But yeah, all people must also think of others, people who don't do that are like…

>> We are social animals.

Social is a big spectrum. Keep to your end of it and there won't be any problem.

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#346

Post by Swizec »

blablabla123 wrote: post #336
khazhoux wrote: post #227

We have an open floor plan, and it works like this: * Desk area is for getting work done. Everyone agrees on this. * We have "phone rooms" for small discussions. But we limit those usually to 1:1s or discussing office politics. * Try to limit all discussions at the desk area to 5 people or less. * If someone sighs loudly as they put on their headphones when you're having a discussion right behind them, then that is t…

If single offices were the optimum, why aren't we all working from home in single apartments anyway? I think the more open the place, the better. We are social animals. If people choose solitude, it's likely for wrong reasons. (Not saying that there aren't ever reasons for that, (almost) everybody needs some privacy every now and then.) But yeah, all people must also think of others, people who don't do that are like…

> If single offices were the optimum, why aren't we all working from home in single apartments anyway?

Can you imagine paying everyone in San Francisco enough salary so they can afford a 2nd bedroom? Don't be silly.

And yes, working from home without a home office with a door is not the same as having a private office. People have roommates and kids and spouses and all sorts of things that are even worse than coworkers when it comes to focus.

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#347

Post by dredmorbius »

mytec wrote: post #80
walshemj wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because they have allowed tail functions like HR and Building Services to set company policy with no thought to the wider effect on the company. Aka I got my bonus and I don't care if I have F%$Ked up the company

At a previous job, I was sent to a partner company who was building a web site we'd take over. This company had a wide open floor plan (except for the execs). I remember one day our HR VP visiting and exclaiming how wonderful this is. She said she wanted to implement it where we worked. She asked me what I thought with this beatific smile, and I said I found the never ending movement and ad-hoc meetings around me to…

"At a previous job ..."

Quite.

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#348

Post by clarkmoreno »

dmitrygr wrote: post #286
khazhoux wrote: post #227

We have an open floor plan, and it works like this: * Desk area is for getting work done. Everyone agrees on this. * We have "phone rooms" for small discussions. But we limit those usually to 1:1s or discussing office politics. * Try to limit all discussions at the desk area to 5 people or less. * If someone sighs loudly as they put on their headphones when you're having a discussion right behind them, then that is t…

> A person working WITH headphones on, signifies that it's ok to tap them on the shoulder to ask them a question. what? headphones = NOT NOW! if you need something, email The whole point of headphones is to not be disturbed. How does that indicate to you that i want you to suddenly disturb me by touching me unexpectedly.

got 'em!

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#349

Post by watwut »

ericd wrote: post #214
deepGem wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I worked at Sun Microsystems for a while and their private office layout was really nice. I can't ballpark the exact size but the office could hold 3 gigantic CRT monitors, 2 desk phones, and had space for 2 visitors. I feel that a 2 person private office is quite optimal, since we are talking about teams. It's easier to pair program or discuss and even maintain silence when required. Office designers will have to pa…

How would you feel about larger offices that fit ~8, and housed your entire immediate team, but no one else? Your manager would go to another room for their meetings with other parts of the organization, and you all would be free to collaborate as needed, or shut up as needed?

We are exactly 8 in office and it is pretty awesome. Meetings are in room directly, but they are not often (once in two weeks maybe) and sometimes it is even good to listen as I am learning that way. I can tune it with normal headphones only anyway.

There is a bit of social chat also, but whenever someone complains, it is immediately stopped - local culture is that way. I find it better then own office, because I would end up isolated there and it is not happening here.

Most of the day there is a silence.

Re: CEOs Want Their Offices Back

#350

Post by varelse »

mlindner wrote: post #326
bogomipz wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>"Just like the cargo cult Agile pandemic peaked a few years ago, I suspect we're reaching peak open floor plans right now." Wait, that peaked? That hasn't been my perception. I'm curious where you are seeing that.

Honestly, what's the alternative to Agile? Waterfall? Hell no.

An infinite ala carte menu of subsets of the parts you like about Agile, Waterfall, or any other methodology as long as you ship working code roughly on schedule.

When I hear the above argument, I'm reminded of the Protestants versus Catholics scene in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

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