De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is a fairly common problem with individuals doing repetitive hand work with an emphasis on the thumb. The following references can be used prior to seeing a medical doctor as an indication that there may be a problem. Specific range of motion exercises from Kaiser Permanente can help.
I ran across, This is not the office of the future from Office Insight. It crystallizes my misgivings about the alternative workplace design movement.
One: It ignores roughly 50% of the population who are introverts and would prefer a modicum of privacy to concentrate and get their work done. There needs to be a proper balance between privacy and collaboration. Give people personal space both visually and auditory to allow them to concentrate and get work done.
As noted by one commenter: It ignores 17% of the population who have some form of disability and need accommodation.
There are two forces driving alternative workplace design. The need to compress the amount of space allotted per person in the building to save capital cost in new construction. Eliminating two floors out of a 5 story building looks good. This also reduces operating costs and carbon foot print by cutting the amount of space that needs electricity, heating, cooling and custodial service.
It assumes that office work can be done almost anywhere. The new well compensated Yahoo CEO, . Marissa Mayer, has put the breaks on this vision.
Ted Talk - Open office plans reduce productivity 66% due to lack of aural privacy. - Julian Treasure
