Office noise is fast becoming one of the biggest obstacles to productivity and employee wellbeing in the UK, with new research revealing widespread frustration and rising tensions in shared workspaces.
Despite efforts to entice workers back to the office, more than half of British workers say their workplaces are too noisy, leading many to work from home, adjust their hours or invest in noise-cancelling headphones just to cope.
Findings from research consultants Censuswide, in a survey commissioned by acoustic specialists Oscar Acoustics, expose an often-overlooked issue that’s undermining collaboration, fuelling stress and making it harder for employers to deliver on return-to-office ambitions.
A Persistent Problem in a Changing Landscape
Despite years of focus on employee wellbeing and office redesigns post-pandemic, the noise issue stubbornly persists. The proportion of workers labelling their offices as noisy has barely shifted from 59% in 2019 to 56% this year. Meanwhile, the productivity impact is worsening: 81% of employees now say office noise affects their performance — a dramatic rise from 41% just three years ago.
The survey, of 2,000 office workers across the UK, uncovered some telling trends. Over a third of respondents work from home to avoid noise, while many others are altering their hours, shifting desks or even falling out with colleagues due to sound-related frustrations.
Perhaps most concerning is the toll on wellbeing: 47% of employees struggle to concentrate, 36% feel irritated and nearly a third (30%) report stress as a direct result of workplace noise. And one in 14 claim to have experienced hearing damage from prolonged exposure.
The Hidden Cost of Headphones
As a coping strategy, workers are increasingly turning to noise-cancelling headphones, with their usage having nearly doubled since 2022. While this offers short-term relief, experts warn it can hamper spontaneous interaction, mentoring opportunities and team cohesion, particularly for junior staff who benefit most from coaching.
“There needs to be more logic in how offices are designed, ensuring a seamless transition from quieter zones to vibrant, high-energy areas,” Rob Smith, a director at architecture firm tp bennett, said.
“When people do find themselves in those busier environments, there should be easily accessible refuge spaces. This is where we can truly leverage acoustics and lighting to create retreats that offer relief when the noise becomes overwhelming.”
Sound Advice: What Employers Can Do
So what practical steps can organisations take to tackle this productivity-sapping issue? Workplace experts and architects are increasingly urging employers to embed sound management into their office strategies. Among the recommended actions:
- Introduce acoustic zoning: Create distinct areas for collaboration, quiet working and socialising, each with tailored sound management.
- Invest in acoustic treatments: Solutions such as sound-absorbing ceiling finishes, wall panels and soft furnishings can significantly reduce reverberation and background noise.
- Offer “quiet pods” and restoration spaces: Incorporating private, sound-insulated booths or areas for focus work helps employees recharge and improves cognitive performance.
- Reassess open-plan layouts: While popular, open spaces without adequate sound control can amplify noise issues. Partial partitions, biophilic dividers and varied layouts can provide balance.
Oscar Acoustics Managing Director Ben Hancock said noise levels were not helping British workers’ productivity levels.
“Productivity in the UK is already under scrutiny … employers, architects and developers cannot afford to treat acoustics as an afterthought,” he said. “Investing in sound management isn’t just a matter of employee wellbeing [but] a strategic priority for business success.”
Supporting Creative Moments
Derek Clements-Croome, emeritus professor at the University of Reading, said it was vital for a healthy workplace culture to recognise the value of mental breaks and quieter moments.
“The landscape is changing. By incorporating features like restoration pods, for example, we’re acknowledging that taking breaks is not only acceptable but beneficial for the brain,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean you’re unproductive — quite the opposite, as creative thoughts can occur at any moment in any place. You’re often more productive when you give your brain the respect it deserves.”
With the UK’s productivity levels already under scrutiny and major firms doubling down on office returns, the findings suggest that noise management could be one of the most cost-effective and impactful ways for businesses to enhance wellbeing, boost performance and win staff back through the doors.