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
| May 3, 2012
Stay current on green codes at AGC Environmental Conference
Keep abreast of market trends such as 2012 changes to green standards and codes at the AGC Contractors Environmental Conference, June 7-8, 2012 in Arlington, Va.
| May 3, 2012
OSHA reduces fines in Cincinnati casino collapse
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has reduced the number of violations from four to two against four firms it cited earlier this month in the collapse of a casino under construction in Cincinnati.
| May 3, 2012
New York City implements controversial crane licensing requirements
New York City officials announced strict new licensing and testing requirements for all crane operators in New York City to raise safety standards.
| May 3, 2012
Green-roof requirement now includes industrial facilities in Toronto
A mandate that requires installation of green roofs on new commercial and residential buildings in Toronto has been expanded to include industrial facilities.
| May 3, 2012
Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating
LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.
| Apr 26, 2012
Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
| Apr 26, 2012
OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
