02 May Handling Office Noise
Handling Office Noise
Modern day office spaces are changing for the better by converting their working environment into ‘Activity Based Working’ spaces. To achieve this, more open office concepts need to be adopted. Although it is a clever strategy to increase productivity, there are many factors to consider to not create distractions for the employees.
If you are working in a similar environment to this, you may notice yourself becoming distracted by the surrounding environments noise. Hubb Consultants understand that the noise levels in the workplace can produce stress, decrease job satisfaction and the overall employee attitude.
Noise can produce stress, decrease job satisfaction and affect overall employee attitude
The Right Flooring
Do you notice yourself trying to tiptoe to avoid echoing footsteps?
Hard flooring surfaces such as ceramic, natural wood and concrete are suggested to be avoided due to their noisy nature. The use of carpet within the office is suggested as a solution for noise reduction, yet vinyl is also a functional alternative as it is easy to maintain and has superior sound absorption qualities.
Silent Furniture
The acoustics of your office space is highly affected by the sounds of couches, lounges, filing cabinets and wall partitions. Leather and similar couches of similar materials should be avoided to reduce the sound of sitting and movement. Couches with high backrests are encouraged to create a sense of separation, just as utilising enclosed booths; this diminishes the extent the sounds travel.
Sound Absorbing Walls
Acoustic wall panels are especially efficient in fighting high noise levels. Although there is the stigma of wall panels not being aesthetically pleasing, the modern renditions are designed to create an artistic edge to your space whilst reducing sound.
No More Echoes
Open office concepts are often victim to the harsh echoes of movement and talking. To reduce this, the number of ‘reflective surfaces’ must be minimised. Glass windows can be covered by sheer curtains or blinds and any unavoidable hard and shiny flooring can be shielded with rugs.
A Quiet Space
To assume that every employee working in an open office concept can work quietly every day is not functional. Meetings need to be held and discussions need to take place for projects. Incorporating a dedicated ‘library space’ to either work silently by yourself or hold meetings with others without distracting other workers prevents excessive outside noise and disturbances.
Hubb Consultants investigates the ways in which your organisation can thrive. Noise and distractions within the workplace are major factors in decreasing productivity and increasing stress and need to be mitigated through strategic decisions.
Contact Hubb Consultants now to discuss how we can make your company thrive through the effective delivery of workplace strategy.