Does Office Seating Matter at Your Company?

Setting up your office matters when it comes to where you want your employees to sit.

Ranging from tall private cubicles to a more open seating arrangement, you need to decide what works best for your small business.

When I worked in an office setting, our seating arrangements were changed on a quarterly basis.

Management didn't like us getting too comfortable with our coworkers and becoming too chatty. While having coworkers provides a wonderful form of a friendship and something to look forward to when going to work, they can also be a distraction.

As a small business owner, it's in your best interest to seat employees in a way where the most work will be accomplished.

Tall private cubicles

This type of setting is good for industries that require focused work, number-crunching such as accounting or where employees need to be on the phone frequently.

Tall cubicles don't allow for small talk, which increases employee productivity. The one downside is it may leave your employees feeling very isolated throughout the day, which can decrease productivity.

Encourage regular breaks and team meetings to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Open seating

If you own a creative-based small business, such as an architecture firm or advertising agency, open seating may work best for you.

This style allows employees to bounce ideas off one another and work together to accomplish certain tasks. While it's often viewed as a more "fun" environment, it can be very beneficial for certain personality types.

I, personally, thrive on human interaction. Seeing others work hard inspires me to work hard, which is exactly why an open seating arrangement can be great.

Tips on avoiding gossip and distractions

Whichever method of seating you decide on, gossip and chit chat can sometimes get out of hand.

To help eliminate distractions:

• Change seating regularly - My former employer is a perfect example of this. They changed our seats just as we started to get comfortable. Though I disliked changing seats at the time, I did notice that I was more productive when I wasn't spending time throughout the day chatting to those around me.
• Ask your employees what they like - If your employees prefer open seating, consider giving it to them with the understanding that if things get out of hand or work productivity decreases, you'll have to switch to a different style of seating.
• Did you know? - Nearly 70 percent of offices have adapted to open plan seating, according to a study by the International Facility Management Association. Unfortunately, though, this style of seating causes more employees to become sick throughout the year.
• Encourage breaks - Breaks should be encouraged no matter what your office seating plan is. Most companies allow a 15-minute break every two hours. Employees can take a brisk walk outside, grab a coffee in the break room or chat quietly amongst themselves in an open area. Numerous studies have shown that taking regular breaks actually make employees more productive.

• Promote teambuilding activities - Happy employees equal productive employees. While talking excessively during work hours is never a good thing, building a team of individuals who enjoy spending time together is absolutely a good thing. Host a barbecue at your home, go on team lunches once a month or participate in a bowling tournament each quarter.

To decide which style of office seating is best for you, talk to your employees and figure out what works best for them and your type of industry.

Also, be willing to try a few different styles until you find one that works.