Sadly, office cubicles don’t always have the best reputation. There are even movies about hassled, unhappy cubicle workers. Surely. however, this is not the fate of all those cubicle dwellers in the world!

Here are some of the reasons the cubicle manages to stay relevant, even with all the negative press – they aren’t just a cheap way for office owners to keep things running, they are actually beneficial for the right kind of workforce. You might be surprised how many workers prefer  the privacy of a cubicle compared to the chaos of an open office layout or the closed off feeling individual glass walls can cause.

Cubicles Actually Benefit Collaboration!

When you are in a glass office, it’s hard to bounce ideas off of coworkers. Low walls between those who work together often can make it easy to converse throughout the day, while cubicle height extenders can help those on another aisle ignore the conversation.

Cubicles Lead to Less Distractions

In an open office layout with no walls, it’s easy for employees to become distracted.  It’s not just the movement of people walking right past; its the music, the crackling of food packages, the phone calls and so on. Cubicles provide a much needed  level of privacy without undue isolation.

Cubicles Lead to Greater Productivity

Office cubicles offer a certain level of accountability, since managers can easily see who is working and who is goofing off. It’s an easy way to stay on top of deadlines, with less chance of people slacking off since they are in close proximity.

Cubicles Make Employees Feel Like They Have Privacy

Even relatively low walls can provide a sense of personal space for employees, and [panel extenders can increase that for those who need an even quieter workplace or who work on sensitive issues.

Cubicles Actually Foster Social Interaction

Employees are much more likely to get to know their co-workers in a cubicle setting, and can also control what interaction happens which contributes to a happier, healthier workplace environment.  People were meant to live and work and play together, and cubicles prevent complete isolation.

If your open office or glass walled office layout isn’t working well, you might consider using cubicles and panel extenders to create a more fluid workplace, where everyone has the space they need and no-one feels overwhelmed OR cramped!