Alice Chambers |
Sound plays a key role in employee performance and wellbeing, says Microsoft partner Jabra.
Jabra commissioned Team Lewis Research to survey 2,000 knowledge workers across France, Germany, UK and USA. They found that nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of UK respondents say that working in a loud environment makes them mentally tired and that clear, high-quality sound enhances their ability to focus on tasks. And noise in the workplace is contributing to half of respondents’ stress levels.
Jabra’s research on Making the workplace sound better also found that employees are more likely to take work calls and online meetings away from their desks to avoid noise and distractions, with 58 per cent of workers saying that poor quality audio during conference calls negatively impacts their wellbeing.
Workers also believe that higher-quality meeting audio can positively impact their interpersonal skills with clearer communication and improved collaboration during Microsoft Teams calls.
According to Jabra, employers have a responsibility to address audio issues by providing noise-cancelling headphones as part of standard office equipment and allowing employees to work from home.
“The way of work is constantly evolving, and with the return to the office, UK workers are struggling with the ability to focus in the workplace,” said Nigel Dunn, vice preside Northern Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Jabra. “Sound type, intensity and individual sensitivity play significant roles in how we function at work and have a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing, and productivity and performance. UK leaders need to invest in creating an inclusive and neurodiverse workplace, combined with high-quality technology to ensure workers can bring their true and best selves to work and thrive professionally and mentally.”