open plan office

going to move in a new office which is going to be an open plan office.
Instead of individual desk/space like we have at the moment, the layout is going to be 4 desks together, no partition between the desks
I am not happy with the situation because I don't mind facing 1 people but another 3. Is there somewhere in the health and safety that will oblige employer to put partition wall ?
Thanks

How do you figure that your health or safety would be affected by this issue?

I have worked in open plan for most of my career and it has never been an issue (i.e. my health or safety have never been affected).

Maybe health and safety was not the one to choice but with the increase level of noise it will occur, I thaught it was the one.

I don't mind open plan either if there is at least acoustic partition between desk or if the amount of desk put together is 2 and not 4. We are on the phone nearly all day long and some of my colleagues shout rather than talk

Samantha said:

some of my colleagues shout rather than talk

Click to expand...

Surely that's a problem with the colleagues rather than the office layout per se? If necessary somebody (e.g. their managers) should talk to them and ask them to be a bit more considerate to others in their use of phones.

I was in a similar situation a few years back and myself and my colleagues had to insist on having partitions on the grounds that:
1. No one wants to look at the back of 3 pcs all day or 3 other people
2. Potential for stuff getting mixed up as there would be no "barrier" between desks
3. Privacy - everyone needs to make a private call from time to time, be it personal or work related.
4. The partitions are handy for posting things like phone numbers and messages

Thats all I recall...........I don't think requiring a partition is unreasonable. Suss out how your colleagues feel and speak to your boss

I worked in an open plan office a few years back also, but the workstations had low level dividers (about 1350- 1500mm high) on 3 sides which seemed to be a good compromise. Some people were a little loud on the phone etc. but generally the office worked well and everyone was happy. I suppose it depends on the amount of phone use etc.

Beware of full-height partitions, which create the dreaded cube-farm prairie dog effect - half-height partitions are much more human IMHO.

Not sure why some people think full height partitions are objectionable to be honest.

Maybe because they inhibit interaction with colleagues? - I suppose it depends on the nature of your job. We have half-height which give a bit of privacy but you can still keep an eye on whats going on around you