There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it—the last couple of years have been crazy, and it’s finally time to get back to working in an office setting, no matter if that’s full time or in a hybrid capacity.
However, as much of a transition as it was for many leaders and workers alike to get used to working remotely, it is just as much of an evolution to once again get used to working in an office, in person, with our colleagues.
In this blog post, the team at Connectivity will outline some important tips that should be considered as your team moves back into an open office environment in an effort to ensure productivity remains high.
Open Offices Spur Collaboration—And Can Offer Distraction, Too
Working in an open office environment can offer great flexibility and encourage camaraderie and connection amongst team members, there is no denying that. And in our current business environment, where we are all craving human connection after spending two years alone and isolated, an open office can be a welcome change from what has become business as usual.
But open offices, for as much as they offer a collaborative environment, can also prove challenging as distractions have considerable potential to be present.
Here are a few considerations to assess in order to confirm employees are able to stay focused in an open office environment:
1. “Hot Desking” Can Lead to Stress: There has been a trend that has arisen with open office planning called “hot desking.” This essentially means that seating or desk space is not assigned and every day workers have the ability to simply arise and figure out where they are going to work that day on a first come first served basis. Incredibly popular in places where real estate is expensive, while this concept seems like a flexible approach to working in an office, it can actually exacerbate stress amongst employees as they rush to the office to get a good place to sit. At the end of the day, structure in an open office environment is appreciated. Remember, since the time we have all been in grade school, we have been assigned where to sit. That sort of order is appreciated amongst worker groups.
2. Implement a “Dress for Your Day” Policy: If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that none of us have to be buttoned up day in and day out. Clothing comfort matters, and while we aren’t necessarily saying yoga pants are acceptable office attire, let’s face it, very few of us are missing suits and uncomfortable corporate clothing. Therefore, encourage a “dress for your day” dress code in a visible open office environment, which gives employees the ability to decide what to wear based on what they have scheduled. Have an important client appointment? Then it’s time to ditch the jeans and the t-shirt for something a bit more formal. Have an open day where you’re handling administrative or non-client facing work? Cool, then dress for comfort. When employees have the ability to call the shots in what they wear to work based on appropriate judgment calls, productivity is boosted.
3. Offer Multiple Choices in Workplaces: Yes, an open office has the ability to flatten an organization and promote equity, but keep in mind that different workers have different work styles. To accommodate a wide variety of working styles and shifting working and collaboration needs, offer different types of workspaces, including huddle rooms, telephone booths, open gathering spaces, and flexible closed spaces when privacy is needed. Giving employees choice is critical to productivity
4. Get a Handle on Noise—and Prevent Interruptions: Finally, know that noisy distractions and loud conversations can be a productivity killer. Achieving acceptable speech privacy and minimizing sound from traveling in an open office environment is key. Herein enters the concept of sound masking in an open office, which improves the acoustics. Effective sound masking captures stable background noise and raises it just enough to make nearby noise and speech less intelligible without creating new distractions. Sound masking, ultimately, fights noise with noise—smarter noise that can be controlled. This creates greater privacy, productivity, and comfort in an open office.
Connectivity Offers Sound Masking Solutions
If you are worried about the noise levels in your open office as employees head back into an in-person work environment, then reach out to Connectivity and schedule a sound masking consultation today. We work with many leading businesses in and around the Charlotte area and can ensure a strategy that helps your employees benefit from the perks of an open office, while also minimizing and eliminating focus-killing distractions.
Reach out to us when you are ready to learn more about great approaches to sound masking. Contact us now.