Loud Environments Make Employees Mentally Tired

New research from Jabra analyzes the role audio plays on cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being in the workplace and finds return-to-office (RTO) initiatives can create unintended consequences if not managed well. The research was carried out among 2,000 knowledge workers in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The findings reveal that improving workspaces to correlate with employee preference can positively influence mental well-being and productivity, ultimately encouraging a positive office culture and providing organizations with a competitive advantage.  

After years of isolation following pandemic-forced remote work, the solution to prevent burnout and loneliness was RTO. Yet according to Jabra research, promising an ideal workplace culture through hybrid work isn’t enough—technology investments also have a role to play.  

While nine in 10 knowledge workers say getting work done, being able to focus on work, and maintaining good mental health are equally important, the changes needed for workspaces that will allow for RTO to be successful are being undersold. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of workers say working in a loud environment makes them mentally tired and look towards clear and high-quality sound to enhance their ability to focus. For company leaders encouraging RTO, investing in spaces and technology that improve employee productivity is a necessity.  

While organizations are continuing to push for employees to return to offices, nearly half (47%) of respondents say they are stressed by noise at the office not allowing them to focus. To successfully hire, retain, and encourage a positive office culture, Jabra research calls for a strategic approach to revamping spaces that align with employee working styles.  

Audio plays an important role in eliminating distractions: 37% of knowledge workers say it is difficult for them to be productive at work when coworkers are taking calls at their desks without headphones. While 39% report it’s equally difficult to lead or participate in their own calls when coworkers are taking meetings from their desks without headphones. To avoid noise and limit distractions, over half of workers (59%) say they are expected to take calls away from their desks in a separate room and use professional headphones (69%).  

The findings show the impact noise has on overall productivity and performance. With 74% saying clear and high-quality sound enhances their ability to focus on tasks and projects, it is critical that leaders do all they can to provide the right technology and a conducive environment for employees returning to the office to avoid the productivity buzzkill.   

Beyond disruption, poor audio quality also has negative consequences on work and mental health, with 54% of knowledge workers saying poor quality audio during conference calls negatively impacts their wellbeing.  

The impact loud environments have on mental health and wellbeing is clear: nearly three quarters (74%) say working in a loud environment makes them mentally tired. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of respondents agree that working in a loud environment makes them physically tired (63%) and it is difficult for them to feel passionate about their work when working in such an environment (63%). 

Investing in the right technology for employees, whether in-office, remote, or operating on a hybrid schedule is necessary for business success. Jabra’s research notes that knowledge workers believe higher-quality meeting audio can positively impact their interpersonal skills in the workplace through clearer communication (43%), improved collaboration (40%), and enhanced communication skills (37%).  

As disruptive noise was found to have a negative impact on overall mental health and productivity, knowledge workers believe employers have a responsibility to address audio issues in a variety of ways to improve office culture. This ranges from providing noise-cancelling headphones as part of standard office equipment (37%) and allowing employees to work from home more frequently (37%). Nearly a third (32%) say their employer could also designate specific areas for different types of activities such as quiet zones or collaborative zones to ensure employees have options available in the offices.  

With a positive impact on both business and employees, two in three knowledge workers agree that employers should invest more in creating an inclusive workplace.