One of the Crazier Observations Made by a Government Agency

In its final disposition of my unlawful job termination complaint, instituted against my former employer, the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, the D.C. Department of Human Rights made what I consider to be a particularly inane observation.

The agency cited the fact that I preferred to work in isolation, as if that were an idiosyncratic and disturbed preference. "We agree that Complainant’s perception of the events and activity giving rise to what he felt was harassment was based, in part, on Complainant’s hypersensitivity to his environment and goings-on in the work place, as is further supported, in our opinion, by Complainant’s preference to work in isolation."

Studies show that a plurality of American workers prefer working in a private office. I mean, who wouldn't want to work in a private office as opposed to a group setting? For an employee to state a desire to work in a private office is not a reason to terminate him; that desire does not contribute to a justification to terminate someone.

Here's what one study found:

"Although it is not the norm, working in a private office continues to be the gold standard, with 46% of all workers saying they would prefer this space style. A private office is most preferred among college grads, higher income workers, professionals, managers and executives. In addition to a private office, more spaces for meetings and collaboration is next at 28%, and it, too, is favored by about a third of those with higher incomes, professionals, college grads, managers and executives.

Affording the least amount of privacy, and the most opportunity for interaction, open workspaces, at 40%, is one of the preferred space styles identified by sociable younger workers, the 18 to 29 year-olds, who are driving the trend toward more open, collaborative work environments. It is also important to note that not all young workers prefer an open environment –- 50% said their preferred space style is a private office, while workstations with panels were the least attractive for this group, coming in at 18%."

From: WORKPLACE PREFERENCES: THE EMPLOYEE PERSPECTIVE, Knoll Workplace Research, Global Business Division.