Should you have an open door Policy?

Many organizations promote open door policy as a way to create more productive work environment, open and free communications between management and employees is a vital component of management-employees relationship.

But should you always maintain an open door policy? There are times when the manager needs to isolate himself to his office to focus on important issues. In my work place, I have always followed open door policy in order to resolve issues on the spot and give the employees the support they needed. But lately, I really had to close my door in order for me to focus on more pressing issues facing me, I had to restrict the time I spent with employees.

Restricting my time with employees led them to feel un-supported and they started to get frustrated with issues they wanted to discuss with me.

New policy: keep open door policy in place, but have few hours a day where my door must be closed and employees must understand that management needs time to focus on some other issues that they may not be aware of.