Why horse blinkers for office workers?
THIS bizarre new invention, described as horse blinkers for humans, demonstrates just how awful open-plan offices can be.
Technology company Panasonic unveiled its Wear Space prototype, designed to make life easier for fed-up and stressed workers stuck in bullpen-style workplaces.
The wraparound visor significantly limits the sense of sight and sound, meaning the wearer can more effectively focus directly on what’s in front of them.
It’s fitted with noise-cancelling headphones that have wireless and bluetooth connectivity.
Open-plan office designs were popularised in the later part of the 20th century, seen by companies as a way of maximising floorspace and cutting down on property costs.
By removing private offices and walls, workers were meant to be happier and more collaborative, but research shows open-plan spaces have the exact opposite effect.
Studies have found people are less productive, more frustrated, use email or instant messenger rather than actually talking to colleagues, and retreat from interaction by wearing headphones.
A review of 15 different research projects by the University of Canterbury last year found people also get sick more often because germs spread faster in open spaces.
The annual 50 Best Places to Work list, which ranks the top companies in Australia on a range of measures, has found open-plan offices are on the way out.
And we can’t wait.