A study commissioned by Poly has found that three quarters of office workers are regularly distracted at their personal workplace, with 36% of workers saying noise cases a loss of an hour of work every day.
The study from Future Workplace polled 5,000 office workers and highlighted the biggest distractions in the office space, citing the biggest distraction as loud talkers on the phone, spontaneous group meetings nearby and celebrations in the open office space.
The top ten office distractions cited in the study were:
- Loud-talking co-worker on the phone – 76%
- Co-worker speaking on the phone nearby – 65%
- Phone rings or alerts – 61%
- Office celebrations – 57%
- Nearby group meetings – 55%
- Visiting children – 53%
- Games being played in the office – 52%
- Table and video games – 49%
- Visiting family members – 49%
- Outdoor sounds – 42%
Other notable distractions included pets in the office, colleagues eating, noise air conditioning systems and hot drinks being made.
Seven out of 10 workers also said they would be more productive if these office distractions were reduced, but only a third of employees have a closed office to work in during the workday.
Over half of workers pointed out that their organisation could do more to reduce office distractions through the implementation of guidelines for appropriate noise levels, quiet spaces or by changing the office layout.
Amy Barzdukas, CMO and executive vice president of Poly said: “When you consider how many different workstyles and different generations are thrown together in one place, it’s no wonder that almost everyone reports being distracted at work,”
She added: “It’s equally clear that the right mix of technology and environment can reduce distraction and improve productivity – and that is what employees are asking for.”