Think about a stressful workday, when you need to submit a vital sales report and tally important survey data. You might come in to work a few hours early, in order to put in more time on these tasks. Now, picture yourself trying to compile that data next to a coworker, who can’t stop talking about a strange blind date that she just had. It’s difficult for you to concentrate in an environment like that, right?
No matter where it originates, office noise is detrimental. For one thing, it interferes with employee productivity. In addition, office noise may trigger stress in employees, possibly even snowballing into more debilitating illnesses, including depression.
Even in light of that, the majority of us will have to cope with some level of workplace noise at one time or another. It is crucial that we be ready to handle such problems. If your co-workers have nothing better to do than chatting and gossiping all day, you’re going to have to find a way to get around that. Clearly and politely explain that their talking disrupts your train of thought and makes it difficult for you to do your work. They will probably extend their apologies and quiet down somewhat to avoid driving you crazy.
You can politely ask your IT staff to investigate sources of noise if a printer or fax machine near your workspace seems to be malfunctioning. One can assume that the unwanted noise is due to a malfunction, because companies spend millions making these electronics “noise-free”. If qualified professionals service the machines, this can help reduce the noise.
Lots of offices are plagued with noises that come from the coffee machine. While the machine is there to provide convenient drinks, it can also provide high levels of background noise, which can distract a person from performing assigned tasks. If this is the case in your office, consider bringing the issue up with a supervisor or a colleague.
A noisy office does no good, regardless of the source of the noise. As such, there are many low-cost noise control methods for most offices. Sound absorbent panels and higher cubicle walls can help cut down on how far office noise – whether from human or mechanical sources – spreads. The huddle rooms and cafeteria are located at corners, away from the place where workers sit. And one of the most effective solutions is to cover the noise with comfortable, low-level noise, often referred to as “white noise” or “sound masking.” This is best done in the initial design phase, but newer systems are easily able to be retrofitted into most office spaces. The key, of course, is to do something to control the noise in your workspace.
No matter where it originates, office noise is detrimental. It interferes with productivity and may trigger stress in employees, possibly even snowballing into more debilitating illnesses, including depression. It is difficult to work in a noisy office, no matter how the noise originates. Yet there are numerous inexpensive noise reduction systems available which fall under the heading of “sound masking.” The most appropriate time to think about the use of this technique is during the office design, but modern systems can be retrofitted into most work areas with relative ease. The bottom line, though, is to take at least some kind of action to reduce noise in the office.
- Frank Barnett