Sound Masking Guidebook For Offices

According to recent studies, the performance of employees can be affected by factors within the organization as well as by his or her abilities. Most people are not aware of just how detrimental a noisy office environment can be. The truth of the matter is that office noise can have an enormous negative impact on the performance of employees, no matter how skilled or competent they may be.

Minimal office noise is, therefore, often a requirement for better employee performance. This can be a difficult thing to achieve. The feelings of noisy coworkers need to be considered. A solution which pleases all is the most effective one.

Removing office noise can be especially difficult in certain architectural schemes. Older buildings lack much sound insulation, while newer, more aesthetically-pleasing atrium-style offices with lots of exposed brick or stone surfaces are no help, either. However, there are ways to mitigate the negative impacts of a noisy office.

First, the human resources department should mandate an employee policy that encourages employees to avoid prattling in their cubicles so as not to disturb their co-workers. In addition, employees should be advised to stop taking personal telephone calls in hallways and cubicles. Instead they should be directed outside to the lobby when they have an urgent personal call.

Memo to ALL workers; neither your desktop nor laptop speakers may be used to play music. For those employees who feel this is a crude way to deal with noise in the work place; we offer ear plugs or headsets. Headsets are an excellent tool for helping to maintain your focus and cancels out unwanted sounds from noisy coworkers.

There are also 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. Sound absorbent wall and furniture panels can add to the benefit of sound masking systems, as well as contribute to the overall office decor. This method of noise reduction may require a larger investment; however, improved speech privacy in an office typically pays for itself in terms of increased worker productivity and decreased distractions.

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