Productivity in the workplace

Impact of noise in open-plan offices underestimated

Ambient noise is one of the biggest annoyances in open plan offices and open plan offices. It bothers the majority (59%) of employees. Chatter from colleagues, loud ringtones and noisy phone calls are the biggest annoyances in this regard.

Less productivity

A similar number of workers report being more productive in a room with less noise; 56 percent report making fewer mistakes then. In addition to being distracting, continuous ambient noise can cause long-term physical complaints.
Yet good acoustics in the workplace is on the agenda of very few employers. So says research by Specsavers.

Lots of noise pollution

The majority of people with office jobs (55%) work in an office garden, with an average of 18 colleagues in an open space.
Not everyone is happy about this. Noise pollution is a major reason for this. 67 percent say they are disturbed by ambient noise several times a day.

Complaints

Workers experience a variety of complaints due to noise pollution. Concentration problems (51%), frustration (36%), feeling restless (34%), fatigue (27%), and headaches (17%) are indicated as the five main effects of noise pollution. In addition to short-term impacts such as difficulty concentrating and stress, continuous ambient noise can have long-term negative effects. Previous research shows that people who are exposed to office noise for more than three hours daily have increased adrenaline levels.

Not an issue for employers

What is further noticeable is that very little attention is paid by employers to good acoustics in the workplace.
Only 10 percent say they pay attention to acoustics when setting up the office. This is despite the fact that more than half of employees (55%) have raised noise issues.
In 45 percent of cases, no action was subsequently taken. Reducing office noise levels as much as possible can greatly improve concentration and create a finer workplace.
Smart use of upholstery and adequately screened calling areas can already make a huge difference.

About the research on noise in office gardens

The survey was conducted among 1,000 Dutch people aged 18 and older and working in an office. The research took place in August 2018 and was conducted by internet panel PanelWizard on behalf of Specsavers.

Source: facto.co.uk