Sound Masking: Helping Organizations Maintain High Productivity By Reducing Office Noise

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Recent research suggests that an employee’s performance is dependent on the organizational climate as much as it is dependent on the employee’s skills and competencies. A noisy office can do more harm than most people currently think. In fact, noise inside the office can offset the employee’s skills and competencies, negatively impacting his performance.

So, that explains why keeping office noise to a minimum will improve employee performance. Because it involves noisy coworkers and their sensitivities, the task of minimizing or removing noise in the office can prove challenging.

Depending on the architectural style of your building, getting rid of office noise might be particularly tough. Older buildings don’t have much in the way of sound insulation. And the modern stone atrium style that is popular today echoes like crazy. However, if you suffer from a noisy workplace atmosphere there are still things you can do.

First and foremost, rules should be established that help to limit employee chatter within their cubicles so that co-workers are no disturbed. The next step is to prohibit employees from accepting personal telephone calls while in their cubicles or hallways. Should it become necessary for an employee to take an urgent personal call, he or she should leave the office area and conduct the telephone call in the lobby.

In the interests of greater worker output and a more pleasant work environ, the problem of noisy coworkers need to be addressed. Some workers play music on their computers to try to screen out other workers’ chatter but this sometimes adds to the problem. What may help is providing headsets that reduce outside noise for those working on the computer. Headsets can help screen out distractions and help workers concentrate.

Additionally, you will find a great many technological solutions for individuals and enterprises alike. Many companies have had excellent success with speech privacy systems incorporated throughout their offices. These systems mask the sound of speech so that noisy coworkers are less of a distraction. Sound dampening walls, furniture, and panels can also contribute to the aesthetics of an office. Speech privacy systems may require a significant investment. But the investment often pays higher dividends in the form of increased productivity.

There are also many individual solutions, in the event your employer is not interested in such a facilities improvement, often known as white noise machines. Such systems generally take up little desk space and can help you concentrate on your work instead of “Bob-noxious” down the row.

Workplace distractions caused by noise negatively impact employee performance and business productivity. There are many great individual and enterprise-wide technological solutions. Forward-thinking companies have had great results installing Speech Privacy Systems throughout their open offices. Such Sound Masking systems cover speech, making noisy coworkers much less distracting. If your boss does not want to invest in such an upgrade, you can take matters into your own hands by purchasing a white noise machine. This type of device is small enough to fit on a corner of your desk. It will block out noise from co-workers, allowing you to complete your work.

- Frank Barnett

Entry Filed under: General