Sensory Overload

The company recently transitioned to a completely open-plan office with hot-desking, high ceilings, and constant background music. Maya, who experiences sensory processing sensitivity, is wearing noise-canceling headphones at her unassigned desk to concentrate. Her supervisor walks up behind her, taps her heavily on the shoulder to get her attention, and says loudly, "Maya, take those off. We designed this space for collaboration and energy, not for people to wall themselves off. It looks anti-social." Maya starts nervously packing up her laptop, visibly shaken by the sudden disruption.