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Open-plan offices may be doing more harm than good

New research has found that our brains have to work harder in open-plan spaces than in private offices — New research has found that our brains have to work harder in open-plan spaces than in private offices (Getty)

New research indicates that brains work harder in open-plan offices compared to private workspaces, requiring more mental effort to maintain performance.
A Spanish university study, using EEG headsets, found increased brain activity linked to complex processing and mental fatigue in open-plan environments.
This finding is supported by prior research, including a 2021 study that found open-plan office noise increased physiological stress and negative mood.
Experts highlight that the importance of uninterrupted work is often overlooked in workplace design, leading to cognitive strain for employees.
To mitigate these issues, organisations are advised to create diverse work zones, utilise acoustic treatments, and install partitions to reduce distractions and enhance productivity.

New study settles the debate between open-plan vs private offices — In full