Why Open Offices Aren’t Working — and How to Fix Them

Ethan Bernstein, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, dives into the pitfalls of open office designs. His research reveals that these environments often lead to decreased face-to-face interactions as employees create personal barriers. He discusses innovative solutions, including experimenting with office layouts and involving employees in design decisions, to enhance collaboration. Bernstein also critiques the relationship between digital communication and in-person interactions, challenging old notions of workspace productivity.