Ask HN: Why are leaders given offices in an open office layout?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20945602

by _virtu • 7 years ago

7 13 7 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Serious question. If employees are expected to work in an open office and schedule rooms to have in depth discussions, why are leaders given their own offices?

Ancalagon• 7 years ago

Confidential discussions: hirings, firings, compensation talks, bonus talks, need-to-know and leadership-only conversations, etc.

ThrowawayR2• 7 years ago

They could use a conference room for such things.

wmf• 7 years ago

Then they perma-book the conference room and use it as a de facto office.

gus_massa• 7 years ago

Because they make the rules, and they like to have their own office. Life isn't fair.

neuroticfish• 7 years ago

Correct answer, but one corollary: If the only reason you have an office in an open office setting is because you make the rules, you're not a leader. You're a "boss".

hobabaObama• 7 years ago

They talk a lot. Honestly I am happy that they are given offices while I work in peace.

_virtu2• 7 years ago

The "peace" of the open office layout?

Nguyenhung• 7 years ago

Because of the open space. Observations are wider

2rsf• 7 years ago

I have worked in places where leaders shared the open space, to be honest the was strange since they (as do HR or Finance) have confidential material as part of their day to day work.

drstewart• 7 years ago

If employees are expected to work with Chromebooks why are developers given Macbooks/Thinkpads/more powerful laptops?

d--b• 7 years ago

They’ll usually have both. The office is supposed to be where you discuss things that shouldn’t be overheard. And to slack.

valand• 7 years ago

In some case where leaders are GIVEN their own offices, they are trusted to have one in exchange for their capability in making important decision which requires low level of noise, and holding confidential meeting which requires privacy.

Open office is notorious for the noise and distractions.

Ask HN: Why are leaders given offices in an open office layout?

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