Office Noise Proven To Increase Business Costs
Anyone who’s ever worked in a busy office knows how much office noise and conversational distractions waste company time, decrease productivity, increase the number of avoidable errors, and increase stress levels too. Recent studies prove that the common experiences of office workers are seen all over and provide employers a lot of rationales for investing in those systems which are made to decrease office noise.
In a recent study by Cornell University researchers that was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, it was found that even comparatively low levels of office noise caused an increase in levels of stress, as well as a decrease in productivity and motivation. Researchers have theorized that increased stress levels, as shown by the increased levels of adrenaline in blood, over a period of time might actually cause the onset of serious health issues, like heart disease. As well as the cost of lost productivity, workers might have to bear the brunt of such associated medical care expenses too.
There is also a study conducted by the American Society of Interior Designers that shows that productivity levels drop commensurate with increasing levels of ambient noise. This study also found that excessive noise is very prevalent in modern day office environments of open cubicles rather than enclosed office space, and an array of electronic devices only adds to the noise level.
Mixed office environments pose special challenges for a modern office employee. For instance, a salesperson making calls from a cubicle nearby may prevent a technical writer, who needs a lot of focus and concentration, from generating his/her best work in the time allotted for it.
There are ways to correcting the serious problem of loud office noise. Employees who become preoccupied end up using things such as ear muffs, ear plugs or sometimes use desktop white noise machines. But, by using these things to lessen the sounds, this has caused workers to slow down in work. There are headphones which do not cause important sounds to be blocked, however, it does have active noise canceling.
The wise business decision to help with loud offices noise begins with the correct office design, proper sound insulation, or a well working installment of a sound masking system. The cost for systems have dropped quite a bit over the past years. With the information and the cost being low, a smart employer has no reason to ignore the problem of loud workplace noise.
If you’ve ever worked in a busy office you know how distracting office noise can be. Even low levels of noise slow down productivity, increase stress, and cause employee mistakes. Even conversational distractions at work, such as the person talking in the next cubicle, are a negative factor. Employees might use white noise machines, but since they stifle all sound they also tend to reduce staff efficiency. The smart solution for reducing noise begins with the design and sound insulation of the office. Employers can really not afford to let their office be noisy and distracting.
- Frank Barnett
:: Nov.18.2008 :: Business :: No Comments »
