Distractions in the workplace abound, especially in open-plan offices.
From noisy colleagues conducting raucous team meetings to neighbouring desks talking loudly on a call, it’s easy to let extraneous noises disrupt your flow.
In fact, distractions are one of the biggest bugbears of workers in open-plan spaces.
Keeping noise and visual distractions to a minimum is therefore a must if you want to let workers get on with work that requires deep focus and concentration.
The best approach is not to try to eliminate all interruptions – as that’s unrealistic – but to cultivate a work environment that supports deep, productive work while still allowing collaboration.
Below, you will find some practical strategies that we know work well.
Quiet Zones
Probably the best way you can remove distractions at work – both visual and aural – is by establishing dedicated quiet zones in the office.
You might think that a quiet zone requires separation of workers and brick-and-mortar walls to confine workers, but that’s not the case.
You can, in fact, use things like moveable partitions and modular furniture to afford a space some separateness and establish a quiet zone without definitively hiving off workers from one another.
Key Features
- Quiet zones work best when they are away from high-footfall spots like entrances, kitchens, corridors and printing areas.
- Use moveable partitions, office screens, and modular furniture arrangements to both visually and physically separate the quiet zone from the wider office space.
- Make the quiet zone large enough for multiple employees but not so big that it attracts casual conversation.
Behaviour Rules
Establishing rules of workplace etiquette, especially in or around the quiet areas, is key to reducing workplace distractions.
A simple routine might involve:
- No phone calls or meetings in the quiet zone.
- Conversations must be minimal and whispered if necessary.
- Headphones should always be used for music and phone calls.
- Managers should lead by example to reinforce the rules.
Visual Cues
A lot of behaviour around noise and distractions can be imparted simply by introducing simple but effective visual cues to a space so that workers know to be quiet.
A physical partition or dividers is the most obvious way to provide a cue that quiet is needed, but more subtle approaches can be taken if you want to encourage quiet, but it’s not obligatory.
- Physical partitions or dividers – these are the most obvious indicators that a space is for focus. Even low or semi-transparent dividers give a clear signal.
- Desk signs and ‘focus’ indicators – small flags, lights, or sign cards that show when someone is working and shouldn’t be interrupted.
- Subtle spatial and lighting cues – different flooring, coloured rugs or carpet, or lighting can subtly indicate that a space is meant for quiet work without being restrictive.
- Desk screens and biophilic elements – even small visual separations like plants and greenery can help reduce the likelihood of casual interruptions.
Sound Control
Sound travels, so even if you have the best quiet zones and visual cues established, it can still bleed into focus areas from noisier parts of the office.
Acoustic ceiling baffles are useful here, as they can be fitted to the ceiling office-wide and will act to trap and baffle sounds before they ricochet across the office.
Baffles are also discreet, and because they are attached to a ceiling, they don’t occupy needed floor space.
Conclusion
Reducing workplace distractions in a bid to help workers focus can be tricky – especially if you have adopted an open-plan approach to your office.
But the good news is that there are some simple but highly effective ways of allowing workers to concentrate.
A clever mix of physical separation, behavioural cues and acoustic baffling technology can make even the most open-plan space a haven of peace.
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