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A noisy office environment can cause more harm to productivity than most people think. Recent research suggests that employee performance is as strongly influenced by the organizational environment as it is by skills, knowledge and aptitude. Workplace distractions caused by noise negatively impact employee performance and business productivity.

So, that explains why keeping office noise to a minimum will improve employee performance. Because it involves noisy coworkers and their sensitivities, the task of minimizing or removing noise in the office can prove challenging.

Certain styles of architecture make it more difficult to reduce or eliminate office noise. Many older buildings do not contain adequate sound insulation; newer buildings with large, open areas and brick or stone ceilings, walls and floors can be just as bad for containing noise. But there are still things that can be done to reduce noise in an office.

Get human resources involved and ask them to begin a new policy to dissuade employees from chatting in their cubicles. They should also not be allowed to make or receive personal phone calls in hallways or cubicles in an effort to reduce overall workplace noise. When they need to make a personal call, they should head to the outside lobby to do so.

Memo to ALL workers; neither your desktop nor laptop speakers may be used to play music. For those employees who feel this is a crude way to deal with noise in the work place; we offer ear plugs or headsets. Headsets are an excellent tool for helping to maintain your focus and cancels out unwanted sounds from noisy coworkers.

Additionally, you will find a great many technological solutions for individuals and enterprises alike. Many companies have had excellent success with speech privacy systems incorporated throughout their offices. These systems mask the sound of speech so that noisy coworkers are less of a distraction. Sound dampening walls, furniture, and panels can also contribute to the aesthetics of an office. Speech privacy systems may require a significant investment. But the investment often pays higher dividends in the form of increased productivity.

If your employer does not wish to improve facilities by installing white noise machines you may be forced to consider some of the many individual solutions to this problem. There are personal white noise devices you could purchase. They don't take up much room on a desk and using them could help you concentrate on your work.