How your office is designed may play a role in affecting one’s health. Researchers from the Queensland University found out that the current trend of having an open-plan workplace results to lower productivity and higher levels of stress for employees.

During the study, 90 % of the evidences point out to working in an office with an open-plan lay out is negative to your health. The situation causes high stress levels, increased blood pressure, worker conflicts, and high employee attrition.

The modern design of offices leads to low productivity due to lack of concentration triggered by high noise levels. A feeling of insecurity is also often developed due to an open environment where everyone can see what everyone is doing on their computer or on their station.

Conflict among employees is also considerably higher because of the smaller spaces. One can easily over hear what one is saying or can get irritated easily by what other persons are doing.

Health experts also cite the possibilities of increased high blood pressure due to stress and higher chances of getting workplace illnesses since virus and other health risks can be passed on easily from one person to another.

The proponents recommend a traditional work set up which uses closed offices that are kept small and private.

A lot of offices are following the open plan lay out because it saves the employers a significant 20% of their budget.

It may make one think, are cost savings worth it if the workforce is sick or has lower productivity? May be not.