Privacy is an ongoing topic in the world of commercial office design. Largely because the modern working world is doing a notoriously bad job of providing enough privacy for employees as open-plan spaces, collaboration and agile, activity-based work take the lead.
However, privacy is imperative for happy, healthy employees who can find focus, quiet, time alone and low-stimulus spaces whenever they need it.
But what exactly do we mean by privacy? The dictionary definition of the word is, ‘a state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people’, but how does that apply to office design?
It’s important to understand the answer to this question if you’re going to create functional and effective office design solutions that solve the problem of insufficient privacy.
What do we mean by privacy in the office?
Privacy, when talked about in a workplace setting, mostly means the need to find somewhere to work without the presence of other people.
This could be for a variety of reasons, including needing to concentrate without distraction or needing to conduct tasks without an audience for confidentiality reasons.
Or privacy could simply just mean needing to find some time and space to decompress and rejuvenate when not actively participating in something work-related.
What’s important to remember is that privacy doesn’t always mean being alone or in solo isolation. Groups or teams can also require privacy collectively.
Similarly, the solution to privacy doesn’t always mean complete seclusion or being totally out of sight or earshot. Privacy can also be a transitional or in-between solution in the office space through semi-shielded and part-enclosed spaces as well as fully secluded settings.
Three different types of workplace privacy
Let’s dive deeper into the topic by exploring three categories of privacy that should be supported in every workplace to ensure all employee’s needs are covered.
1. Physical privacy
This involves being physically private, i.e., physically removing yourself from a particular setting to find privacy either alone or as a smaller group. Anybody seeking this kind of privacy probably doesn’t want to be seen, whether this is through full enclosure or semi-shielding.
People seeking physical privacy might also need to escape a particular stimulus. This could be a harsh light, a radio that’s too loud or even a certain smell in a space that is causing them discomfort.
Private offices, meeting rooms, booths, dividing walls and enclaves are all effective ways to provide a private retreat.
We’d recommended keeping these kinds of spaces further away from high-traffic, high-activity settings, to ensure the different modes of work can be clearly defined.
2. Audio privacy
This type of privacy involves wanting to find a space away from audio distractions or excess background sounds that are hindering focus, productivity or the ability to hear.
This could be a complicated task that requires quiet concentration or a phone call, video meeting or online presentation that needs to be heard clearly. On the other hand, it might be the case that the person needs a private space to be the one that is creating excess noise that might distract others.
Acoustic solutions, partition storage, dividing walls, zonal soft furniture and soundproof pods are all great ways to provide audio privacy.
If you have a small office space and don’t have room for specific audio-private settings, you could consider using a room booking system to introduce dedicated ‘quiet hours’. This would allow you to turn your multi-functional meeting room, for example, into a quiet zone for the stipulated timeframe.
3. Content privacy
This is a more conventional interpretation of privacy and describes when somebody needs an enclosed space to have a confidential conversation, a 1:1 or to work with sensitive information. This could also include hosting client meetings about embargoed or non-disclosure projects.
Solutions for this type of office privacy include fully enclosed booths, pods or cubicles or other shielded settings configured so that screens can’t be seen. Soundproofing and acoustic solutions are also key here.
The benefits of providing privacy for all employees
In recent years, modern offices have become more open-plan than ever with the rise of agile working, hyper-collaboration and a preference for activity-based work.
With more collaboration spaces, hot desking and nomadic working environments, there needs to be more space for vital privacy. That’s why we’re seeing things like the traditional office cubicle making a comeback.
This just means that employers and commercial space owners need to be more proactive in carving out space for the different types of privacy when designing, configuring and fitting out interiors. This is what Steelcase refers to as adding ‘layers of privacy’ into the workplace.
Some of the benefits of making privacy more of a priority include:
- Increased focus, productivity, motivation and efficiency.
- Making the office a destination of choice as people don’t have to seek privacy at home or in remote working environments.
- Stronger data and information protection.
- Reducing stress and frustration for those who struggle with a lack of privacy.
- It helps foster a more inclusive workplace that supports neurodiverse employees and those who struggle with audio triggers or other stimuli.
- Better attraction and retention of talent.
- Giving employees more choice and control between when they want to interact and when they need individual or small group work.
Are you planning a workspace transformation project? Get in touch with our experts to learn more about how we can support you.
