Workplace distraction is making it difficult for employees to get their work done, according to a new report released by commercial flooring company Interface.
Noise negatively impacts a majority (69%) of global employees’ concentration levels, productivity, and creativity. The finding comes from a survey of more than 2,000 adult workers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia by Radius Global Market Research.
For about half of the respondents, noise levels in an office would impact their decision to accept a job. Some 16% of those surveyed choose to work remotely due to unsolved noise problems. Top distractions include conversations among employees, phone conversations, phones ringing, and people walking around.
Open work environments seem to be part of the problem. Nearly one-third (32%) of employees surveyed report working at an assigned desk or workstation in an open environment. Only 31% of all respondents indicate that employers provide private spaces for phone calls or conversations.
“The best designs are those rooted in solutions specific to company culture, environmental aspirations, and respect for individual user choice,” says Chip DeGrace, vice president of workplace applications, Interface.
Related Stories
| Jul 1, 2014
Dept. of Labor reaches settlement for $5 million in back wages for workers on federally assisted project
The U.S. Department of Labor and MDG Design & Construction LLC have reached a settlement over wage violations at the federally-assisted 26-story Grand Street Guild rehab project in New York City’s Lower East Side.
| Jul 1, 2014
GSA, Homeland Security research leads to performance-based design guide
The National Performance Based Design Guide, based on research and development supported by the Science & Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security and the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration, is now available.
| Jul 1, 2014
FEMA grant helps fund school theater that will double as tornado safe room
Scott City School District in Missouri recently broke ground on an 8,990-sf performing arts theater that will also function as a tornado safe room.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 26, 2014
Canadian groups combine forces to support EPD program for LEED v4
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) will collaborate to support LEED v4 and CSA Group’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program.
| Jun 26, 2014
Ohio is first state to roll back renewable energy standards
Ohio became the nation’s first state to roll back renewable energy standards after the state House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 310 and Gov. John Kasich recently signed the measure.
| Jun 26, 2014
Walkable areas lead to higher rents for developers
New research from a George Washington University research group and LOCUS, a coalition of real estate investors that's part of Smart Growth America,says that offices in “Walkable Urban Places (WalkUPs)” bring developers 74% more rent per square foot.
| Jun 18, 2014
ASHRAE publishes guideline on specifying Building Automation Systems
Performance monitoring guidance is a key feature of the document. It provides designers of BAS systems with recommendations for good practice, project considerations, and detailed discussion of design options.
| Jun 18, 2014
Battle over low-cost, Chinese-made solar equipment could stunt solar power growth
The U.S. Department of Commerce tentatively agreed to assess tariffs of up to 35% on solar equipment, a move that could slow the rapid growth of the domestic solar power industry.
| Jun 18, 2014
Senate passes ‘compromise’ bill that green lights 26 new VA hospitals, clinics
The U.S. Senate reached a compromise deal combining elements of two competing Veterans Administration reform bills that would, among other things, gives the go-ahead for the construction of 26 new VA hospitals and clinics.
