This also creates a more professional environment for calls without background noise.įind out more about how sound masking boosts productivity and employee satisfaction here. Private pods or booths can be implemented to give employees more privacy to make confidential phone calls or meetings and time away to focus. In the same way that parasols block the light, screens block soundwaves. Walls and screens can also drastically reduce office noise by providing an acoustic shadow. Additionally, businesses can add functions to them such as turning one side into a whiteboard, a calendar or notepad. Plus, natural light and views outside can increase workplace performance by up to 25%, benefit health and reduce eyestrain.ĭesk dividers can also be used to create personal spaces within the silent zone to provide focus and privacy. Windows to the outside world or other office zones help employees feel connected to the rest of the office, without having to engage with it. Glass walls or windows can help businesses achieve privacy within the office. Businesses must strive to strike the balance between connectivity and privacy. Connectivity is key, especially in agile working environments. The most important aspect of the silent zone is to create a space that feels relaxing with minimum distractions. The typical workplace environment is busy and full of clattering keyboards or overhearing video calls. This ensures that any documents receive undivided attention. For example, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos told Fortune Magazine that his team of senior executives take the opening minutes of meetings in silence to absorb the written word. Processing in silence is key for engagement. While ideas may come to life in the collaboration zone, many employees still need time to process and work out the logistics in private and quiet. Occasionally working in silence also encourages more creativity and collaboration. Similarly, a study conducted by the University of California revealed that a typical office worker only gets around 11 minutes between each interruption, while it takes roughly 25 minutes to regain concentration. Achieving the right balance between working in privacy and working together is critical for any organization that wants to achieve innovation and advance” – Donna Flynn, director at Steelcase’s Workspace Futures research group. There is no single type of optimal work setting. “A key takeaway from our study is that the open plan isn’t to blame any more than reverting to all private offices can be a solution. Participants also commonly cited that they felt distracted or stressed due to colleagues on phone calls or having conversations with each other. It found that 85% of participants were dissatisfied with their working environment and couldn’t concentrate while 31% said they had to leave the office to get work completed. The study used 10,500 workers across Europe, North America and Asia and revealed that there is insufficient privacy in the workplace. Research by Ipsos and the Workspace Futures Team of Steelcase corroborates this concept. Many employees have reported being more productive working from home because of the lack of distractions and interruptions and the silent zone in the office should provide this environment in the workplace – a little like the quiet carriages you find on trains” – Jenny Hicks, Head of Technology at the Midwich Group PLC. “Before the pandemic it was not uncommon to spot colleagues wearing headphones, setting their ‘do not disturbs’ or working from home when they had a deadline to hit and needed to avoid distractions. In the silent zone, distractions such as printers, coffee machines, chatting colleagues and music are reduced to a minimum. Everyone needs a bit of quiet sometimes to meet deadlines or concentrate on their tasks, even those employees that enjoy loud buzzing working environments such as the social zone. The silent zone is exactly what it says on the tin - a space dedicated to quiet. Incorporating a silent zone in your office can improve employee wellbeing, increase productivity and reduce stress. The good news is that even small doses of silence throughout the day can have positive effects. Activity Based Working gives workers the option to switch between the hustle and bustle and a quieter space, which is key for a productive and happy workforce.Ĭonstant exposure to stimuli is expected in the modern era, but this can have a huge impact on productivity levels and even cause stress and poor health conditions. Activity Based Working: What Is A Silent Zone?ĭifferent workers require different spaces throughout the day to complete their tasks.
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