Effective Ways to Boost Productivity in an Open Plan Office

Open-plan office spaces have been popular among business owners for several years now, and while they can be a great way to boost flexibility and collaboration, they also have several drawbacks, primarily affecting employee efficiency and productivity. Because everyone is working in the same space, the distractions can be immense for some workers, and this environment can have the opposite effect from what you're trying to achieve. In fact, a study by Future Workplace found that a massive 99% of those surveyed said an open-plan office was distracting, with 51% reporting that the distractions made it too difficult to concentrate.

So, let's take a look at how you can boost efficiency and productivity in open-plan office spaces.

Office Pods

If you don't want to close the space but need added privacy, whether for calls, meetings, video conferences, or simply for employees to work in peace, then office pods can be the perfect compromise. You still retain the open-plan environment, but you've also added privacy features. Office pods come in a range of sizes, and meeting pods offer a more solid option for taking calls and discussing clients' sensitive information.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If noise is a concern in your open-plan office, noise-cancelling headphones can be a game-changer. These headphones can help employees create their ideal work environment, even in a noisy setting. They can be used as needed and are particularly effective in noisier environments, allowing employees to focus on their tasks without being disturbed by surrounding conversations or activities.

Strategic Furniture Placement

By rearranging the furniture, you can define spaces, and this simple action might prove to be beneficial. It might be that some workers need to be away from busier parts or require more separation from coworkers. Moving desks from high-traffic areas and understanding the different types of work being done means you can group similar tasks together for a more productive working environment. Moving desks for those who need silence or space for handling calls that require private discussion behind units or cabinets is a good option, as is surrounding work areas with plants to allow more privacy.

Acoustic Office Furniture

There's no denying that open-plan offices can be incredibly effective for workplaces that thrive on and need collaboration and creativity, and secluded offices can be somewhat stifling. However, noise and interruptions are the biggest productivity killers. You can purchase acoustic pods, wall panels, floor panels, ceiling solutions, and acoustic partitions, allowing you to absorb noise without completely dividing your open-plan office.

Create Zones

If you can’t or don't want to separate your open-plan office space, then creating zones can be a more effective use of the space. You can create quiet zones away from busier areas or high-traffic zones; the acoustic room dividers mentioned above can be handy here. You can create more informal spaces geared towards creativity and discussions, or you can section workers into groups to meet their needs within the working environment. Those who need silence and less chatter can be grouped together, and those who prefer to work in more lively environments can be in their own area to boost their productivity.

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