How Business Owners Can Give Employees More Privacy at the Workplace

Needless to say, the shift towards remote working has given employees a taste of peace and privacy that’s hard to forget. At home, there’s no office buzz, no constant interruptions, and far fewer distractions. It’s no wonder so many people now prefer working remotely—it’s quieter, more comfortable, and they’ve got a bit more control over their surroundings.

However, as businesses bring employees back to the office, one big issue comes into play: privacy. Generally speaking, you need to make sure your employees are happy in the workplace, and sometimes that can be a bit hard to achieve, right?

Open-plan offices have taken over, and while they might be great for collaboration, they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to personal space. So, how can businesses strike a balance and give employees more privacy in these communal spaces? Well, there are a few things that business owners can do, so here’s exactly what you need to know.

There’s the Open Plan Office Dilemma

All right, so the rise of the open-plan office was meant to foster communication and teamwork. But in reality, many people find themselves trying to focus on what feels like a busy café rather than a workspace. Now, in the past, cubicles offered a degree of privacy—maybe not the most stylish, but they at least gave employees their own corner to focus in.

Now, with desks crammed together and everyone sharing the same long tables, privacy is practically non-existent. It was meant to foster company culture, but is it really doing that?

As a business owner, you really have to keep in mind that it’s not just about finding a quiet space to work; employees are often forced to take personal calls in earshot of everyone else, making it uncomfortable for both the caller and everyone around them. So really, it’s no surprise, then, that many workers are longing for a bit more personal space at the office—especially after getting used to the solitude of working from home. Do you see the problem here?

It’s About Designating Quiet Spaces for Focus

One simple way to give employees more privacy is by introducing dedicated quiet spaces in the office. Yes, it really should be that simple. Now, these don’t have to be old-school cubicles, but instead you could look into something a little more modern, thoughtfully designed rooms or areas can offer the same benefits without feeling like a return to the 90s office aesthetic.

But generally speaking, just having a few rooms or corners set aside for solo work can make a huge difference. Actually, you should think of them as retreats where employees can escape the noise of the open-plan space when they need to focus. These rooms don’t need to be overly formal either; comfortable seating, soft lighting, and maybe even a plant or two can make these areas feel welcoming and conducive to productivity.

Consider Buying an Acoustic Pod

So, those quiet spaces mentioned above can come in a variety of forms. This can be just a standard office room (like a conference room or a telephone booth), but you could even look into acoustic pods too. But generally speaking, there is some flexibility, and there are some options you can try.

These pods offer employees a private, soundproofed space where they can make phone calls, work on important tasks, or just take a breather. However, generally speaking, acoustic pods are small, enclosed units that can be placed right in the middle of an open-plan office, providing privacy without completely cutting people off from the rest of the team.

Flexible Working Options for More Control

Another way to increase employee privacy is by offering flexible working arrangements. Honestly, during the pandemic, it has been proven that many people are just as productive, if not more so when working from home. So, just by allowing employees to split their time between the office and their home, businesses can give them the best of both worlds—collaboration when needed, and privacy when they crave it.

Rethinking Office Layouts for Balance

If your business is really serious about improving the privacy of employees, it may be time to rethink the office layout altogether. While open-plan offices have their benefits, they don’t always meet the needs of every employee, especially those who need quiet time to concentrate. Ideally, a good compromise is to create zones within the office—one area for collaboration and group work, and another for quiet, focused tasks.

This doesn’t mean getting rid of open spaces entirely but rather incorporating more flexibility. Just think of it this way: you could look into movable dividers or partitions that can be introduced, allowing the office to be reconfigured based on what’s needed. So, just by giving employees the choice to either collaborate or work independently, the office becomes a more versatile and accommodating environment.