We know that you want to create buzz around your job but too much noise can be counterproductive. When someone is complaining about the noise at the workplace it may even seem trivial, but the truth is that things go deeper than that. Did you know that noise pollution is pretty common in all workplaces today? And even more important – did you know that noise is among the most common workplace hazards? Cities are overcrowded, our office windows are near the traffic and you probably noticed something is off, but you probably think it was caused by stress. The noise levels are rising and our workplaces are just going with the flow. You are probably right but everything is intertwined – levels of noise and stress levels are connected in several ways. If you noticed that you experience frequent mood changes, panic attacks or even depressive episodes – we have bad news for you. Today we will discuss the impact of noise pollution at your workplace.
Impact of noise pollution
Although you probably never think of any real consequences of noise pollution, you may feel its effects. And you probably haven’t had a clue that it was because of the excessive noise in your workplace. Millennials are basically flocking into the big cities and workplaces are oversaturated. We are working from our cubicles, in shared offices or in co-working spaces due to the evolution of the workspace. It makes people feel more connected, that is true, but what to do when things get much louder. Noise is pretty subjective for all of us, attacking the part of our brain that is responsible for the emotions. Acceptable noise levels that are recommended are 30 to 35 DB yet everyone is exposed to 85 db and higher on their workplaces. That is double and noise above 109 db can cause a severe hearing loss. Take a minute and listen – do you remember the sweet sound of silence? No? We thought so.
Productivity fails due to noise pollution exposure
The lower concentration in the workspace can lead to the fall of productivity. Conversations are the worst part of every workplace. We all love to have a friendly chit chat with our coworkers. But did you know that when the employee is exposed to the nearby conversation, its productivity fails for about 66%? This makes multitasking extremely hard even for the highly skilled multitaskers. Imagine when you are in full work mode, sliding from one task to another and you really got everything covered. And then your colleagues decide to talk louder. It is the normal part of the everyday routine but the change in your environment can kick you off your track. If you thought of plugging your headphones, that is not such a great idea. Music is welcome when you are doing repetitive tasks.
Health risks
Of course, productivity is an important part of your business. But the wellbeing of your workers is even more important. Effects of noise pollution could vary but we collected the most notorious consequences of the long term noise pollution exposure: – Headache – pulsating pain, not too sharp, yet very annoying and disruptive. – High blood pressure – working under pressure in the most literal way. – Moodiness and irritation to everything – your reactions might be pretty harsh even if you don’t mean it. – Bad posture – believe it or not, noise pollution can lead to changes in your posture. Your body is struggling with something you don’t see, but your body is trying to protect itself. – Hearing loss – this is simply the worst consequence of noise pollution. It can lead to severe hearing loss
What can you do to keep your productivity flow optimal and keep your workspace stress-free?
The first thing you need to do is to accept that you have a problem. When it comes down to numbers in the end – the workplaces are suffering very much due to the noise pollution. For example, in Europe, it costs businesses $36 billion of dollars annually because of low productivity, lost working days and healthcare expenses. It is your invisible enemy. The first step you need to take is thinking about the workspace design. What are the most annoying stressors – machines that keep humming, phones that are constantly ringing, sounds of the conversations from other offices because walls are paper-thin? Every workspace design is different, you are probably limited with your space but some solutions include installing acoustic panels. This won’t change the appearance of your workspace but will do miracles for the peace and tranquility, Relocating the noisy equipment can also be useful. Find isolated areas and put it in good use, your employees will soon start noticing the change. Wearing the noise protecting equipment such as earplugs or earmuffs can help with keeping you more focused. Keep in mind that once your hearing is lost – it can’t be restored.
So don’t take things for granted. Just know that noise pollution is a very common workplace hazard and it is pretty much real, even if you don’t see it. It is time to take your employees more seriously. To learn to listen. Don’t dismiss their concerns about your workplace safety issues. Noise might be a subjective thing but in the end – it is about keeping your employees motivated and productive and everyone matters.
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