In an open office environment, is using the speaker phone feature on a desk phone appropriate?

Using the speaker phone feature in an open office environment is generally deemed inappropriate because it can contribute to increased noise levels and distractions for coworkers. The nature of open offices often prioritizes collaboration and communication, but using speaker phones can interrupt the work of others and decrease overall productivity.

When someone makes a call on speakerphone, it not only allows for the caller's voice to be heard at a higher volume but also amplifies any background noise from the environment or the other party on the line. This can be disruptive in a shared workspace where multiple conversations and tasks are happening simultaneously.

While there may be situations where urgent calls or department-specific practices could modify this guideline, the default expectation in most cases would lean towards maintaining a quiet workspace conducive to everyone’s productivity. Hence, using the speaker phone feature in such contexts is typically avoided to respect the shared environment and the focus of fellow employees.