Open Office Pushes Employees to Remote Work

While some business leaders, like Ilkka Kaakinen mentioned in a recent HS article, focus on the presence of employees in the office, a more significant factor driving the popularity of remote work is being overlooked: the abysmal cognitive ergonomics of open-plan offices. The reality for many is that the constant noise and lack of privacy in these environments make focused work nearly impossible.

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If employees cannot find a place to sit in the office on Monday, they will work from home for the rest of the week.

Remote work offers a sanctuary for 'deep work.' The ability to close doors, mute notifications, or simply have a dedicated space where your notes and coffee cup remain undisturbed provides a level of concentration unattainable in most modern offices. This isn't about shirking responsibility; it's about creating an environment where productive, high-quality work can actually happen.

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Another equally significant reason for the popularity of remote work is the poor cognitive ergonomics of open-plan offices.

If companies truly want to entice employees back to the office, they need to reconsider the physical workspace. The current open-plan model is a deterrent. Offering more private, dedicated spaces – even small offices for two people – would likely see a much warmer reception than the current push for mandatory in-office days. It’s time to acknowledge that employee preference for remote work is often a rational response to suboptimal office conditions.

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In remote work, the door or group messenger can be closed if necessary for deep work, and you know that your writing tools and coffee cup will be where you left them the next day.