A Danish study by Pejtersen JH, Feveile H, Christensen KB, Burr H claims that sickness absence increases when sharing offices and in open-plan spaces.
The analysis was based on a national survey of Danish inhabitants between 18–59 years of age (response rate 62%), and the study population consisted of the 2403 employees that reported working in offices. The different types of offices were characterized according to self-reported number of occupants in the space.
The report does not connect the different room types to the acoustical environment, but knowing the acoustical challenges the open-plan poses, one cannot help but wonder how big the role of acoustics are in this type of studies. Especially since one of the reasons suggested as explanation is the influence on psychological well-being.
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