Noise is a massive distractor, and one of the quickest ways to improve productivity in the office is to find a way to make it quieter. If you ever decided to run an experiment and had some measurable metrics, you would be surprised at just how strongly the reduction in decibels and increase in performance would relate.
At the same time, an average office worker spends more of their working hours in the office than at home. This means that a noisy environment might have a far higher impact on their mental state than you would assume.
A quiet space is much more difficult to achieve when you’re in an open office environment.
Here are some noise-control strategies you should apply to get closer to both goals (higher productivity and better mental health).
1. Give Each Workstation a Bit Mor e Space
Noise depends on the proximity to the noise source, which means that if you put workstations a bit further away, it will be quieter.
Moreover, this will allow you to prevent some forms of noise completely. For instance, when someone tries to move past their coworker’s desk, they no longer have to squeeze through, causing more noise and even distracting them by having to brush against their desk.
In other words, this minimizes both audio and tactile distractions.
Now, the biggest downside lies in the fact that you’ll have to use more room. At the same time, the fact that you have no walls and cubicles means that you have more space to begin with.
Not only that, but in 2024, you have an option to introduce a hybrid workspace, which means that not everyone will be at the office at the same time. Some could work from home offices.
Trying to cram more people in the office than can fit is always a bad idea. Remember, you’re running a 21st-century office, not a sweatshop — you need to think strategically and ensure that everyone has the optimal conditions for work.
2. Acoustic Treatment for the Office Space
The next thing you want to do is try working a bit on the office, as well. This is something that can greatly help you, seeing as how it creates a passively quieter office where everything you say or do will just end up being quieter.
First of all, you want to consider treating major surfaces in your office.
When it comes to walls, the most obvious choice is panels on the walls. Acoustical panels can drastically improve the sound structure of your office with minimal investment.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t end with walls. Your ceiling needs treatment, and you could go for acoustical tiles for your ceiling, acoustic cloud, or any other available solution.
Lastly, the choice of your flooring plays a huge difference. Even when your team is quiet, they still move their chairs, walk around to stretch their legs, get to the other side of the office, etc.
The bottom line is that fixing just one issue makes a difference but in order to really control the noise in your open office, you need to address every single point.
Finally, if there’s a persistent source of noise that you just can’t eliminate, you could always try to mask it with a white noise machine.
3. Get the Right Peripherals
The next thing you need to keep in mind is the importance of providing your staff with the right peripherals. We know it’s an additional expense that you might not need, but it’s a cost of running an open office, and you want to make sure that your office is not just well-designed but also as functional as necessary.
First, you want to invest in noise-canceling headphones. This way, you’ll give each of your employees a chance to tune out. This is the best possible solution because it’s non-invasive and requires no restrictions from the rest of your staff. They can just put their headphones on when they want some peace and quiet and take them off later.
The next thing you want to invest in are silent mice and keyboards. Some people just love mechanical keyboards; however, imagine everyone using them in a crowded office. You would feel like everyone’s on a typewriter. The reason why this is important is because it makes an office quieter even if you’re not wearing your headphones.
Lastly, squeaky furniture can cause so much noise. So, instead of just picking ergonomic furniture and forgetting about it, check them from time to time and ensure that they’re well-lubricated, as well.
4. Better Office Policies
It’s not all about equipment and the layout. Sometimes, you have to ask your staff to help you out. There’s no equipment, no wall panel that can quiet down people who don’t care about the noise they’re making.
People are not even doing this on purpose. They start whispering to each other, but whispers can sometimes be even more distracting since they naturally draw attention and curiosity. Loud whispers are, in a way, more distracting than normal speech volume, even when it’s objectively louder.
The first thing you need to do is provide them with the means to communicate that don’t require verbal input. Have a business IM like Slack that will allow them to communicate across the room without the need for them to walk across the room and talk directly to the other party. The encouragement of messaging over speaking is the simplest and the most elegant way to handle this.
Also, you need to designate quiet- and free-speeking zones. You can’t expect them to just sit quietly throughout their shift. They need an outlet. They need a break zone, and the best way to do this is to take them there.
Most importantly, you and every other member of the management need to lead by example. They cannot feel like the rules apply just to entry-level employees.
The last thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that while an open office has its advantages (more inclusivity, more space, etc.), keeping it quieter is always a challenge. Still, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right strategy, you can make this happen. It’s a challenge, but the reward is more than worth it.
Photo by Cottonbro.
