These days, many businesses choose an open office plan instead of individual rooms. Open offices foster communication between coworkers and are cost-effective, but the trade-off is a lack of privacy. To keep information and conversations confidential, here are four inexpensive ways to create privacy at the office.
1. Create Solid Boundaries
While many open offices are bright and airy, solid boundaries are necessary to keep sensitive information from being compromised. If your office is large, save money by investing in desk dividers or pre owned cubicles. Shelving units or filing cabinets also make excellent barriers between workstations.
2. Change the Office Layout
Because privacy matters, you need to get creative with your office layout. If you purchased cubicles, arrange desks so that computer screens cannot be seen by passersby. Desks situated near busy entryways can be camouflaged by plants or books. Also, always require employees to log off computers and store documents out of view when they’re away.
3. Invest in Privacy Gadgets
Fortunately, there are many inexpensive gadgets you can buy to increase employee privacy. For example, shaded computer screens are a great way to hide information on a monitor, especially if you’re seated close to someone. For confidential phone conversations, use a headset with Bluetooth that allows you to leave your station if necessary.
4. Designate a Meeting Room
If you have regular visitors at the office, the best solution for keeping information safe is to designate a separate meeting room. Meeting rooms are completely private and block out noise from the rest of the office. A meeting room is perfect for both one-on-one and group meetings, but be sure you create a schedule so it doesn’t get double-booked.
Workplace privacy is crucial, especially when dealing with clients. Installing cubicles, changing your layout and creating a meeting room are all inexpensive and effective ways of respecting everyone’s space.