It can definitely be worth spending money when there’s a clear case for it improving employee productivity. I will note there are a range of both norms and physical layouts compatible with open-plan, ranging from “everyone screaming at each other and in line of sight” trading floor to “no talking library vibes, desks facing walls with blinders”. We’ve tried to make different open plan spaces zoned with different norms and this has been fairly successful, although I’m sure some people will still be disturbed by even library-style areas and be more productive in a private office.
I’d thought it was a law of nature that quiet norms for open plans don’t actually work; it sounds like you’ve found a way to have your cake and eat it too!
It can definitely be worth spending money when there’s a clear case for it improving employee productivity. I will note there are a range of both norms and physical layouts compatible with open-plan, ranging from “everyone screaming at each other and in line of sight” trading floor to “no talking library vibes, desks facing walls with blinders”. We’ve tried to make different open plan spaces zoned with different norms and this has been fairly successful, although I’m sure some people will still be disturbed by even library-style areas and be more productive in a private office.
I’d thought it was a law of nature that quiet norms for open plans don’t actually work; it sounds like you’ve found a way to have your cake and eat it too!