CUBICLES: THE GREAT MISTAKE
Robert Oppenheimer agonized over building the A-bomb. Alfred Nobel got queasy about creating dynamite. Robert Propst invented nothing so destructive. Yet before he died in 2000, he lamented his unwitting contribution to what he called "monolithic insanity."
Ref. https://money.cnn.com/2006/03/09/magazines/...rtune/index.htm
I don't really LIKE working in a cubicle, but it is far, FAR better than working in a "bullpen". In my last position, where I was a manufacturing engineer working in a transmission plant, all of the desks were in one big room, with no dividers at all. It was impossible to have any privacy at all, which was especially difficult when trying to deal with phone calls.
What bothers me most about working in a cubicle is that I never get to see outside. But then, when I worked in the "bullpen" I didn't either, although there I could at least see people working at the machines on the floor.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 854 85.4%
I work in a cubicle now, but the walls are very low, so we can see around, even when seated. I am fortunate that my office is located at the end of the building so there are lots of windows around. I prefer these cubicles to my previous office which basically was a room big enough for 2 offices, with a door. I was facing a wall all day and there were no windows. That could be depressing after a while.
International Level: Envoy / Political Participation: 241 24.1%
Our business is small enough we don't really have "cubicles" per se, but a few strategically placed dividers. I like not having to actually be in full view of other people, or having to look across my desk and see someone else. There could potentially be two to three people in my work area alone, and I enjoy that space very much. I also enjoy the wall space I get to use for family photos, calendars, project lists, etc.
There is a window just above my desk, but it's too high to see out of. (It looks out over the athletic field at a middle school, and for some odd reason the window is often hit by birds.) It's nice to get some natural light in the office periodically.
But I don't really mind the cubicle life.
International Level: Ambassador / Political Participation: 595 59.5%
Recently I have come across all glass cubicles and I have to wonder what would be the point of that if everyone can see you anyway? Is the barrier just to give physical space but not mental? Wouldn't it make everyone feel as though you are being watched constantly? Maybe that is the point eh?
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
I would think that a security camera is a lot cheaper than a glass cubicle if you are into spying. I think the best thing to have if employers are looking for drill workers is the common warehouse theme where everyone has a desk set in a spot with the same features and outline as everyone else. This will beat cubicles big time and may even save space. See attached photo.
Cubicles (Hover)
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
That's an *old* picture, JB - look at the hairstyles!
In my opinion, the switch from open offices like this to cubicles of glass or anything else is that people talk too much when they are in close proximity like this photo. Our office has a front area that is very open, and the two girls up front are yakking all day long.
International Level: Ambassador / Political Participation: 595 59.5%