Solitude is needed to provide intellectual space where ideas and situations can be reflected upon. It can be argued that this degree of solitude is only practicable away from the office, and that intermittent working from home accommodates this. However, since both schedules and home conditions may not allow this, it is here assumed that all these behaviors need to be accommodated in the office. The central challenge in today's collaborative open plan workplace is to provide the environment and setting for privacy while encouraging people to share ideas and mentor each other. When asked to score their productivity and work satisfaction, people tend to give lower ratings when they lack the resources or support they feel they need to do their job.
Privacy is seen as an important factor in the completion of certain tasks.
This was confirmed by a recent office survey. The survey information covers tasks where confidentiality is critical. Lawyers and accountants have always demanded it, but even this is changing in some cases. Whilst bank personnel may require privacy when dealing with customers, the degree of this will depend on whether the contact is face to face or by telephone. The partners at Robert Fleming Investment Bank in London all share a single large office.