New research has found that almost half of knowledge workers get stressed by offices being too loud and can't focus on being productive.
A study from Jabra assessed the role audio plays on workers' cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being in office environments. The vendor purported that Return to Office (RTO) mandates can produce unintended consequences if not managed sensitively. Perhaps the most eye-catching figure was that 47 percent of workers found office environments too noisy to allow them to focus on being properly productive.
Additionally, roughly three-quarters of employees report that noisy workplaces contribute to mental exhaustion and diminish focus (74 percent). As such, Jabra suggests executives advocating for a return to the office must consider the importance of creating environments and providing technologies that bolster the productivity of their workforce.
"The way of work is constantly evolving, and with offices pushing for a hybrid working model, knowledge workers today are struggling with the ability to focus in the workplace," said Josh Blalock, Chief Video Evangelist at Jabra.
The office is filled with distractions, and unwanted and disruptive noise can have a significant impact on employees’ mental wellbeing and productivity. Leaders requesting a return to office need to invest in creating an office space that caters to all working styles, in addition to investing in high-quality technology to ensure knowledge workers can bring their best selves to work.”
Jabra hired TEAM LEWIS Research to survey 2,000 knowledge workers aged 18 to 65 in four countries for the study: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Other Compelling Findings
The post-pandemic shift back to office settings has been pitched as a remedy for employee burnout and isolation. However, Jabra says its research highlights the promise of an ideal workplace culture through hybrid work structures is insufficient. Investments in technology are also critical.
Although 90 percent of knowledge workers believe that completing tasks, maintaining focus, and preserving mental well-being is equally important, the necessary enhancements to workspaces for a successful office return are not being adequately emphasised.
Audio's role in reducing workplace distractions is significant. 37 percent of knowledge workers say productivity is hampered when colleagues take calls at their desks without headphones. Similarly, 39 percent find it challenging to lead or participate in calls when their coworkers are in meetings at their desks without headphones. To minimise noise and distractions, more than half (59 percent) report the expectation to take calls in a separate room, and 69 percent use professional headphones.
