Written by A silent zone is intended for employees that like to work without distractions or noise. Perhaps an employee needs to work to a tight deadline or simply prefers to work on their own. This area has a comfortable layout with ergonomic monitors and sound masking headsets. Digital signage will be key to signal behavioural cues and communicating with employees without distracting them.
Different workers require different spaces throughout the day to complete their tasks. Activity Based Working gives workers the option to switch between the hustle and bustle and a quieter space, which is key for a productive and happy workforce.
Constant exposure to stimuli is expected in the modern era, but this can have a huge impact on productivity levels and even cause stress and poor health conditions. The good news is that even small doses of silence throughout the day can have positive effects. Incorporating a silent zone in your office can improve employee wellbeing, increase productivity and reduce stress.
The silent zone is exactly what it says on the tin – a space dedicated to quiet. Everyone needs a bit of quiet sometimes to meet deadlines or concentrate on their tasks, even those employees that enjoy loud buzzing working environments such as the social zone. In the silent zone, distractions such as printers, coffee machines, chatting colleagues and music are reduced to a minimum.
Similarly, a study conducted by the University of California revealed that a typical office worker only gets around 11 minutes between each interruption, while it takes roughly 25 minutes to regain concentration.
What Does A Silent Zone Look Like?
The typical workplace environment is busy and full of clattering keyboards or overhearing video calls. The most important aspect of the silent zone is to create a space that feels relaxing with minimum distractions. Connectivity is key, especially in agile working environments. Businesses must strive to strike the balance between connectivity and privacy.
Acoustic noise
Glass walls or windows can help businesses achieve privacy within the office. Windows to the outside world or other office zones help employees feel connected to the rest of the office, without having to engage with it. Plus, natural light and views outside can increase workplace performance by up to 25%, benefit health and reduce eyestrain.
Desk dividers can also be used to create personal spaces within the silent zone to provide focus and privacy. Additionally, businesses can add functions to them such as turning one side into a whiteboard, a calendar or notepad. Walls and screens can also drastically reduce office noise by providing an acoustic shadow. In the same way that parasols block the light, screens block soundwaves.
Private pods or booths can be implemented to give employees more privacy to make confidential phone calls or meetings and time away to focus. This also creates a more professional environment for calls without background noise.
Visual noise
Visual noise is just like the distracting noise of the kettle except it refers to distractions we can see such as messy cables or cluttered desks. To combat this, silent zones should be minimalistic and only include items that are necessary to complete work – with one exception, the houseplant.
Plants also boast sound-absorbing capabilities. Some offices use partitions made of plants to separate workspaces. To help reduce noise, incorporate smaller arrangements, use large planters and place them around the perimeter of the office to sound reflect off the walls and onto the leaves.
Some businesses have incorporated meditation spaces and sleeping pods into silent zones. This offers employees a chance to step away from work and recharge. It can reduce stress and anxiety and boost motivation. For businesses that can’t afford that luxury, offering a subscription to meditation tools, such as Headspace, might be worthwhile.
If you would like more information about having a silence zone in your workplace please contact us or call at 0845 270 5075 we would be happy to assist you.