Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Policies that affect people's ability to connect with others


The article in the New York Times, “Changing a Culture by Removing Walls” (Feb. 10, 2010, pg. B7), describes a working environment at advertising giant Grey Group, in New York. The 1200 employees who now occupy 6 floors instead of 26, have gone through a drastic transition. The business was nothing but offices and cubicles on all the floors, but today there lies nothing but open floor plans on the 6 occupied floors. All the walls from the offices and cubicles have been torn down for a new working environment. This has created a more open and collaborative working environment for the employees. This new haven of transparency has also created a faster environment and greater functionality. Of course without the privacy of the old walls, some liberties will cease, such as siestas and affairs.

3 comments:

catluvr said...

I think it's a great idea to remove some of those walls. these days people barely communicate with one another. there probably won't be as much privacy, but is it really needed at work? maybe in some cases it is, but i think it's great that people will be able to communicate more and maybe even make new friends at their jobs.

Lauren said...

This remindes me of the TV show "The Office" where there are no walls between desks. It enables people to better communicate with one another. All offices should be this way. Having a greater connection with coworkers is necessary to build bonds, create better relationships, and make work more enjoyable.

Mina Vareth said...

I love the idea of removing the walls.It definitely gives everyone a better opportunity to communicate with one another.There are a hand full of career paths that i would like to pursue and one of the main reasons I have changed my mind in the past is because I don't like the idea of being closed off and working alone in a cubicle.This is a great way of giving jobs a better environment top communicate in that aren't usually socially involved.