‘What is the proper etiquette for an open-plan office?’

Easy, make people want to give you space.

Don’t shower except on Friday evenings, and take up running to the office, changing immediately into your work clothes without so much as a baby wipe on the pits. For good measure leave your running kit on your desk to air out.

Next, go to your local fishmonger and stock up on their reduced to clear cod filets, and bring one in a think curry sauce to work as lunch. Microwave that glorious concoction and eat at your desk, as is your right, and don’t be afraid to let out any blenches that ensue.

Finally, shoes are overrated, and so are socks. The Japanese are on to something with this whole “no shoes inside rule” and you will find success with the same. On calls, or when contemplating complex legal questions, feel free to let lose and let your toes enjoy the freedom your hands boast of, get those feet on the desk and proud.

Before long, you will have the peace and quiet you crave. Good luck!

It’s just one of the additional challenges of working in modern law firms. Not only do you have matter related hours targets, business development objectives, the whole “we don’t value face time” but “oh it was another late one last night”, now we are expected to work in an open plan environment because just like our matter related utilisation needs to be high and rising, so does office space utilisation. Sadly it is just what it is. I used to love having an office. Now, you’re lucky if the desk has all the IT kit let alone the luxury of thinking time.

Practical tips are if you have a choice about wfh and in office days, try to work in the office on a Monday / Friday and wfh mid week; look in diaries and see when people are likely to be in and try to do the tasks that require less concentration during those times; consider using quiet rooms or meeting rooms – not all day but, say, for an hour to get started on drafting.

You have my sympathy as open plan is rubbish.

Until you make your way as Partner where you can demand your own office, I’m afraid your choices are to grin and bear it or to quit and go somewhere that doesn’t have open plan.

If it’s just working environment preference, I’m afraid that’s a call for the firm to make. You might find your line manager can make some allowances, eg use the meeting room from time to time but you’ll have to weigh up what matters more to you: having two screens or having the peace and quiet.

You might be able to get everyday colleagues to understand your preferences – eg when I really need to concentrate, I’ll have my headphones on which is ‘please shut up around me’ and a DND, Otherwise, you are free to approach me. Do keep in mind the firm has chosen an open plan model because it sees the benefits of open communication etc, so constantly keeping headphones on (unless you have a med condition) sends not a great signal to the firm and your colleagues.

Hope it works out.