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Open plan

JT

Today I'm interviewing for a new job, and applying for another. Keen on both positions for different reasons, I am awake at 3am, filled with anxiety. After some reflection it's not entirely directed at the interview process. In both cases I suspect I will again be placed in an open-plan office and expected to concentrate and not become overwhelmed.

Without a formal diagnosis (a personal decision I may come to regret) how can I navigate not working open-plan if that's how their office works?? I've done it before and my body just remained in a state of shock and I developed IBD which only settles when I'm alone for days at a time nd

  • in reply to JT

    some managers never get it when they are the issue --- i have come across this several times 

  • Thanks for the input guys. Work have been ok generally, but my manager specifically hasn't really. So about a month ago I asked his boss (who I am pretty friendly with) if I could switch to a new manager - for entirely professional reasons. Nothing to do with him personally, and I was very clear about that.

    Instead of discussing it with me, he went straight to my manager and told him. I was distraught. My manager then had a 121 with me and asked me about it saying it found it entirely strange that I didn't speak to him first (but why would I? He was the issue I was trying to move away from).

    So since then I've stayed under his management, and we are fine. But there is now an elephant in the room feeling of weirdness between us.

    Why can't we choose our work relationships like we do our private ones UnamusedSo frustrating. The stress has caused me to apply for other jobs, and my IBD to flare up

  • Working in an open plan office was hell for me. It completely destroyed my mental health and left me with burnout for months that led into a deep depression and complete shut down.

    I'm not sure what you can do without a diagnosis, but perhaps your employer would be understanding. I know they tend to take mental health more seriously nowadays.

  • Thanks I will have a look, that's really useful cheers

  • in reply to JT

    even Neurotypicals find open plan offices uncomfortable.

    If the company has any sense they will allow you a partition wall at least. The person next you will secretly be thanking you.  I created a wall using an old notice board then asked permission for it to stay. The Guy beside was all for it :)  My wall was allowed. 

    But if a small room makes u more productive ask for that

    then next a surround partition.

    I will be asking to continue my Working From Home (WFH) once COVID 19 is "Over". It has made my life so much less stressful ( my own music, coffee, heat levels, no office noise, and my view is off my garden full of birds and wildlife. ) 

    so consider asking to WFH.

  • That's an interesting idea, thanks. I am about to jump ship on the company if one of these two other companies will have me. So I will try to navigate this after 3/6 months with the new firm I guess. Gotta get your foot.in the door first I guess.

    Shame they don't give people the option when arriving to a new premises, just assume everyone thinks open plan is a great idea

  • in reply to JT

    Could you check out the company policies around well being?  Mine accept self-diagnosis so there are people who have adjustments for them based on their disclosure.

  • in reply to JT

    I have ulcerative colitis - I can't take any stress - I much prefer to be on my own.

  • Think this is where my skills and following career choice comes back to bite me. Thanks for that advice, and I agree. Apart from being a conceptual designer (I see things, and companies seem to wanna pay me for it), so most of the work I do requires me to brainstorm and share my thinking with a creative team. It's frustrating.

    It's also why by the end the week or day, depending on how it goes, I have a migraine, shakes, and often my IBD flares up. But sadly it's the only thing I'm any good at. But the open plan situation has been an ongoing issue for the past 10 years. I often endure until I've been there long enough then I start to find desks of spaces to hide in. It's not easy though.

    Without a diagnosis to lean on I think I might continue to struggle. Maybe I should just say 'i work much better in a quiet space, can you give me that?' ...see what happens. Stress!

  • I'd tell them you prefer peace and quiet to get on with your work - ask them if it's possible to be in a side office or in the quiet corner - and you can always sit there listening to the radio or forest sounds to drown out the background noise.

  • in reply to JT

    With me it's just noise so i can wear earphones and listen to music, I guess the other stuff is a bit more difficult.  When we were working in the office we had a hot desk system so the earlier you got in the more choice you had where to sit, I used to get in early and sit in a relatively quiet corner.

  • Noise, distraction, zero privacy, but mostly the over stimulation. By the end the week I'm usually ill

  • Is it the noise in the office that would bother you or something else?