So please tell us where these better employers are -- that is the point of this thread after all.
I've been in software for 30 years, and I only remember interviewing at one company in the Boston area that had private offices for most engineers -- Stratus, back in 92.
I agree. But if you consider having a personal office a smart thing, this isn't going to easy or even possible.
I consider having an office a smart thing. Shared offices are better than no offices. I don't think shared offices are too much to ask if your employer is a software company.
This is of course location sensitive. In London, UK, I have not heard of personal or shared offices anywhere but very small companies.