Recent studies highlight a surprising downside to open-plan offices: they may be hotspots for germs, leading to more illness among workers. Research suggests many employees would benefit from remote or private workspaces.
A study of 1,800 Swedish workers found that those spending three-quarters of their day in open offices were 62% more likely to take sick leave compared to colleagues in private offices.
Similar findings emerged from a Canadian survey: open-plan workers averaged 3.1 sick days per year, versus 1.8 days for remote workers. Additional research links open offices to elevated stress, more frequent headaches, and respiratory issues due to compromised immunity.
"It's common sense," says microbiologist John Noti in an interview with Motherboard. "People cough and exhale toward you and touch your space. Barriers or separation reduce contamination risks." Microbial transmission is indeed far easier in shared open environments.
Office air quality adds to the problem. A 2000 Bloomberg Businessweek article, "Is Your Office Killing You?", revealed indoor workspace air can be 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.
Maintain distance from ill colleagues, wash hands frequently to curb germ spread, and stay home if you're sick—science supports it.
> Read also: 10 ways to be happy in an open space
