What can be done about a large non-Federal employer who has a large group of employees seated in an open area in cubicles with separators only 3 to 4 feet tall, and some of the employees seated in this area perform tasks requiring intense concentration, such as writing scientific publications and devising and programming complex algorithms for analyzing scientific data, while other employees seated in this area have secretarial functions involving numerous, loud phone conversations all day long that are work-related, not frivolous?

The scientific personnel are in an inappropriate work environment which inhibits their productivity. The employer does not seem to have any interest in changing this situation despite the productivity loss and despite having offices on several different floors such that the space could be reallocated in a more logical manner, though satisfying everybody's request for the types of office they desire would be impossible. The situation is frustrating for the scientific personnel, causing reduced morale, and may adversely affect their future earnings by reducing their present productivity. What can the employer be required to do to correct this inappropriate space arrangement and what steps can the scientific personnel take to improve their situation if the employer is unwilling to change the space arrangement?

Thanks!

There are no Federal laws and no laws in any state dictating to the employer what kind of workspace they must provide to specific employees. If you are looking for a law that will require the employer to provide private workspace to any employee, there isn't one.

Sure, no laws about specific types of office environments, but is it permissible to place and keep an employee in conditions adverse to successful performance of their job duties when that arrangement is not required out of business necessity?

Thanks!

The employer doesn't have to set up the office space arrangement based on the employees' preference. (even if it would be to the employees' & employer's advantage to do so)

It is permissable for the employer to set up the work space any way he wants to. If that is not the optimal setting for the best work performance, that's basically too bad so sad.

There is NOTHING you can do to force the employer to change the work space arrangement against his will.

I do not know if this is an option at this employer, but I have had similar work environments and often just listened to music using a cheap boom box and expensive head phones. Shuts out the entire world and I was very productive when I was allowed to do this.