Although it might seem unimportant, noise around the office has been shown to add to office stress and increase blood pressure in situations where noise is persistent. As the office is where most people will spend one-third of their lives, being in an environment that induces stress and distraction will lead to overall discomfort and unhappiness. But what do we mean by office noise and what can be done to help it?
Definition
Office noise can originate from a variety of places, such as the loud sounds of office machinery (photocopiers and printers), the buzz of heating and air conditioning units, and external disturbances such as construction and traffic. However, small consistent noises throughout the office have also been shown to irradiate and worry employees. The clicking of keyboards, conversations between employees, phone rings and notifications, and even colleagues eating can all subtly build up to create a more stressful environment than originally believed.
A 2019 survey conducted by The Remark Group found that around 65% of office employees reported that office noise impacted their ability to complete work in a timely fashion, with 40% stating the noise increased their overall stress levels throughout the day. Data from a study conducted by Oscar Acoustics found that the highest stress-inducing office sound came from other colleagues speaking, whether on the phone or to other employees.
With this information in mind, what can be done to ensure the stress of office noise can be significantly reduced in your office environment?
1. Virtual office spaces: Although it may seem drastic, investing in a hybrid workspace through virtual office spaces can give employees needed breaks from the daily office noise, limiting their stress and allowing them to work at their preferred noise level.
2. Place noisy areas away from workspaces: While it might be tempting to set up a coffee station close to desks, noisy areas have been shown to increase stress and unproductivity in employees. Try to move highly collaborative spaces away from desks to reduce noise exposure. The separated rooms at our Gateshead serviced offices can be utilized as a space dedicated to noise and conversation.
3. Designated quiet areas: Create a space in your office that is a silent area (no noise from electronics, no talking, no eating). While complete silence in the workplace is unachievable, creating a small space in the office dedicated to slight relief from office noise can give employees a chance to reset and refocus on their work.
4. Allow headphones: As long as headphones are being used correctly, allow the use of noise-cancelling headphones in serviced office spaces to give employees the option of blocking out all sounds that might stress or distract them.
Getting distracted and stressed from office noises is something that all employees experience in their careers. Through the implementation of quiet areas throughout the workspace, as well as headphone allowance and hybrid office spaces, you can help eliminate the stress of office noise for your employees, which will lead to a happier, healthier, and more productive environment.
