So, just try and imagine that you want to try and take an important phone call, but the person next to you is having a loud conversation about their weekend. Or maybe you’re in the middle of a video meeting, and the constant hum of chatter makes it impossible to concentrate. Well, the modern office can sometimes feel like a chaotic symphony of noise, especially in open-plan layouts where sound travels more freely. Believe it or not, but ‘noise pollution’ is one of the biggest productivity killers in the workplace, and this noise (which also comes with overstimulation) can honestly make it harder for people to feel happier in the workplace. So, how can office noise be managed without silencing the team spirit? Your best approach would be to look into introducing some noise etiquette, it seriously could be the perfect solution. But what all is there to know about this though?
Image: Gian Paolo Aliatis
By Team Savant
Why is This a Big Deal?
Open-plan offices look great on paper—everyone collaborating, sharing ideas, and working together. But when reality hits, they often come with a major downside: noise. If you think about it, without walls to block or absorb sound, everything from phone calls to casual conversations can bounce around the room, creating a distracting environment. This is actually one of the main reasons people would rather work from home.
It’s About Setting Clear Guidelines for Noise Control
The first step in managing office noise is to set up some basic ground rules, but they don’t need to feel restrictive. It’s all about balance. People still need to chat and collaborate, but they also need spaces where they can focus without distraction.
Just generally speaking, having some clear, simple guidelines help. For instance, encouraging quieter conversations in shared workspaces or setting up specific areas for casual chats can help keep noise under control. Having a dedicated spot for phone calls or private discussions ensures those conversations don’t spill over into the rest of the office. It’s all about creating an understanding among staff that different areas of the office serve different purposes.
Consider Setting Up Offices
In an open-plan office, finding a quiet space for a phone call or private conversation can be a real challenge. For starters, cubicles are expensive, and they don’t 100% solve the issue. On top of that, even setting up multiple offices can be really expensive. But you could always set up at least one or two offices for meetings and even let staff rent them out. That would immensely help. Of course, there are other options that are a bit cheaper.
For example, you could look into acoustic pods since they’re soundproof pods that offer employees a private area to take calls or have discussions without disturbing—or being disturbed by— anyone else. But if people need to take a phone call, like a personal phone call when you could look into using a small phone booth for the staff. But overall, these are just a few ways to help control the noise level.
Encourage Mindfulness Around Noise
Ideally, you’ll need to look into encouraging everyone to be more mindful of how their actions affect others. Generally speaking, some simple reminders, like stepping away from desks for personal calls or keeping group chats to designated areas, can go a long way in maintaining a quieter workspace.