A closed door is tantamount to a closed wall. Such a physical division can be detrimental to the health of a team. Keeping an office door closed also means others must interrupt the person in that workspace, and that inhibits workflow.

According to a 2013 article in The New York Times, the average employee works 11 minutes without interruption and it takes 25 minutes after that interruption to return to the original task.

If you are over 40, it’s likely you equate a closed-door, corner office tantamount to professional success. However, the collaborative mindset of millennials tends to prefer open work spaces replete with smaller, more intimate areas for discussions and informal brainstorms.

In a recent article in Money, the modern work environment as a potential recruitment tool for talented employees was touted.

The piece quoted John Michael, vice president and general manager of Business Interiors at Staples. According to Michael, “The right physical space brings together people, projects and technology.”

Business owners would be wise to encourage their staff to collaborate and innovate, two behaviors requiring interaction. The Money article encourages bosses to provide desks and workspaces that allow employees and visitors to plug in and get to work. Other suggestions include:
• Set up a quiet area for facilitating web conferences
• Ensure an area with natural light and charging stations is readily accessible
• Provide mobile storage lockers or rolling, locking file cabinets
• Purchase desks and chairs that support proper posture

By investing in the modernization of a company’s workspace, employers can differentiate themselves from those who rely on outdated and uncomfortable offices and furniture. How can a boss expect an outcome seizing on the technologies available in 2015 in a work place that dates back a few decades?

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Tami Kamin Meyer is an Ohio attorney and writer. She may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or @girlwithapen.