Arbitrator Valérie Korozs ordered the Quebec Ministry of Transport to provide partitioned workstations for its engineers [1, 2].
The ruling addresses the effectiveness of open-plan office designs in technical environments. By requiring physical barriers, the decision prioritizes the cognitive needs of engineers over the prevailing trend of open-concept workspaces.
Korozs said that open-plan offices impeded the specific tasks required of the engineers [1, 2]. The lack of partitions was found to hinder the ability of staff to maintain concentration, and perform complex technical work [1, 2].
Confidentiality was also a primary factor in the decision [1, 2]. The arbitrator said that the open environment failed to provide the necessary privacy required for certain professional duties within the ministry [1, 2].
The Quebec Ministry of Transport cannot impose open-office layouts on its engineering staff if those layouts obstruct their professional obligations [3]. The order requires the installation of screens, or partitions, to create a more suitable working environment [1, 2].
This decision follows a dispute over whether the ministry's office configuration met the operational requirements of its technical workforce [1, 3]. The arbitrator's focus remained on the intersection of workplace design and professional productivity [1, 2].
“Open-plan offices were found to impede engineers' tasks, concentration, and confidentiality.”
This ruling establishes a precedent for the 'right to concentrate' in public sector technical roles. It suggests that while open-concept offices are intended to foster collaboration, they may be legally viewed as counterproductive for roles requiring high levels of deep work and confidentiality, potentially prompting other government agencies to reassess their office layouts.
