- A Logitech report reveals that noise is the biggest factor destroying the productivity of office workers
- Poor air quality is also holding them back
- More than 70% of workers admit to being distracted in the office: what to do?
Workers are already speaking out against returning to the office, citing reduced office productivity and loss of flexibility, and new research from Logitech backs this up: Office distractions are said to be costing UK businesses more than 330 million hours a year.
Nearly three in four (71%) participants agreed that office distractions reduce productivity, with a quarter of them losing at least one hour a week due to poor “productivity climate” such as noise, lighting, air quality or outdated technology.
In fact, noise was found to be the biggest killer of overall productivity, with talking loudly (43%) and typing loudly (21%) being the biggest issues.
Offices aren’t exactly the right environment for productivity
More than two-thirds (69%) of the 2,000 hybrid and office workers surveyed have argued with colleagues about noise levels, and more than half (51%) have even moved seats or gone home due to office conversations.
Besides the obvious, workers are also affected by air quality. Congested meeting rooms and poor ventilation are factors that kill productivity.
Looking ahead, it is clear that companies must do more to improve the work environment if they want to enact mass return-to-the-office mandates. About a third each want fresh air ventilation systems (32%), more natural light (32%) and soundproof cabins (31%).
“The modern office must reflect the changing needs of the people it houses and the work that happens within it,” shared David Houseman, director of work experience at Logitech.
The report also alludes to the use of biohacking to improve conditions, which involves the use of data, science and technology to optimize the workplace.
Logitech’s findings come about a year after the company launched Spot, a $499 office air quality monitor.
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