Office Noise Is Distracting And Disturbing

Working in an office is supposed to mean that you can count on your colleagues to assist you in brainstorming and solving difficult problems. However, reality is not so sweet in all offices. 80% of dedicated workers report their inability to concentrate on their jobs because of the noise created by their co-workers. Well, in such situations, it is natural that you begin to wonder whether having co-workers is of any use at all!

Nevertheless, posing that particular question is not going to help you since you cannot fire an individual from your corporation for making too much noise in the workplace if you are not the firm's owner. For that reason, you need to find viable ways to eliminate the distracting sounds rather than those who are creating them.

Start looking for a workable remedy by letting your manager know the nature of the problem your workers cause. Then he will realize that you find it difficult to concentrate in a noisy environment and that the current situation may lead to less than optimal work outcomes.

Once you have spoken with your manager, you must now speak with the noisy co-worker also. Try to be gentle, but also direct. No one likes to feel like they are being attacked or embarrassed, but the majority of you co-workers are likely to be reasonable and they also deal with the same annoyances at work that you do.

If your co-worker causing office noise doesn't see the problem, then you may be well advised to speak directly to the coworker's direct supervisor. A direct supervisor acts as a solutions enabler and a learning architect for employees reporting to him or her. As such, it is his or her responsibility to counsel the coworker creating the nuisance. In most cases, the noisy coworkers change their ways after getting reprimanded by their managers.

Lastly, consider purchasing a speech privacy system. This is sometimes called a "white noise" system. When you use one, some or all of the irritating noise generated by thoughtless coworkers is deflected. You will not be bothered quite so much and may be better able to concentrate on your work.

Millions of people spend every day of their working lives in a busy office environment. One element of the working environment that can cause problems, however, is office noise. Many individuals have highly complex jobs based in an open-plan office and find it difficult to achieve their daily tasks due to noisy co-workers. One solution to the problem is to raise the issue with your boss and then talk it through with the co-worker in question. Another alternative is to request a speech privacy system which gives 'white noise' as a solution to a noisy and distracting work environment enabling you to get on with your work.

- Frank Barnett