In today’s open, flexible workplaces, we often celebrate natural light, sleek furniture, and modern layouts but there’s another element that’s just as crucial to employee wellbeing and productivity that doesn't always get the attention it deserves: acoustic comfort.

The Hidden Impact of Noise 

Unwanted noise isn’t just an annoyance it can have a real effect on how people feel and function at work. Constant background chatter, ringing phones, or even the hum of office equipment makes it difficult for employees to concentrate and think creatively. Over time, this low-level disruption chips away at focus, leading to frustration and fatigue. 

Research from the University of California, Irvine found that it can take around 25 minutes to regain full focus after a distraction. In a busy open-plan office, those moments quickly add up, and the effects go well beyond lost concentration; it contributes to higher stress levels, lower mood, and increased mental fatigue, all of which can undermine wellbeing and job satisfaction. 

According to the HSE, work-related stress, depression, and anxiety account for nearly half (46%) of all work-related ill health in the UK, with 55% of all working days lost linked to these conditions. Deloitte also estimates that poor mental health costs UK employers £51 billion a year, largely due to absenteeism and reduced productivity. 

Noise may seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the biggest contributors to this daily stress load. Designing workplaces that actively reduce acoustic distractions through sound-absorbing materials, zoning, and quieter areas helps create calmer environments where people can think clearly, work productively, and feel genuinely supported.