Activity-based flexible offices: effects on work-related outcomes in a longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Organizational Psychology
• Workplace Design
• Human Resources Management

Background:

• Activity-based flexible offices (A-FOs) are a growing trend, often based on assumptions from open-plan office research.
• Previous studies on open-plan offices highlight issues like reduced privacy, concentration, and increased distractions.
• The specific impact of A-FOs on these factors remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in employee distraction after transitioning to an A-FO.
• To investigate how distraction affects work engagement, job satisfaction, and fatigue.
• To identify moderating factors influencing the relationship between distraction and work outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal within-subjects design was employed.
• Data were collected at three distinct time points.
• The study focused on employees moving into an A-FO environment.

Main Results:

• Moving to an A-FO resulted in increased distraction, decreased work engagement and job satisfaction, and heightened fatigue.
• The negative impact of distraction was amplified under conditions of high time pressure and unpredictability.
• A significant interaction between work stressors negatively affected employee motivation and well-being.

Conclusions:

• A-FO implementation can lead to detrimental effects on employee well-being and performance.
• Addressing work stressors is crucial, in addition to providing dedicated quiet zones.
• Strategies should focus on mitigating the combined impact of stressors to prevent motivation loss and fatigue.