Unispace has released a new research report on workplace design. According to the report, the noise and distraction of open plan workplaces are preventing employees from focusing on individual tasks requiring high levels of concentration and minimum disruption. The issue of noise has actually become much worse over the last 12 months, with more workers complaining compared to the same research conducted in 2016.
The findings come as part of Unispace's research of more than 11,000 workers in a global study of working practices and workplace design. Survey respondents flagged noise (15%) as the primary cause of inefficiency during the working week, a number that has risen by four per cent in just 12 months. Second to this was a lack of quiet areas (13%), a lack of privacy (9%) and 7% cent felt that the temperature and air quality of their office was a factor.
"Our research shows that the vast majority of our time at work is based on the need to 'focus' - more than 60% of the working day," said Simon Pole, Unispace Global Director, Design. "The workplace has changed radically in the last few years, but it may have gone too far now. Collaboration is obviously a central tenet of many modern spaces and in this environment, creating a fusion of ideas and socialisation is key. But for the majority of everyday business tasks, workers need space for focus, calm and solitude.
"Increased noise, a lack of privacy and quiet areas consistently show up as the top three employee complaints in open environments. This is particularly problematic as most employees' report that they engage in focus work more than any other work mode."
Unispace research has found that 60% of the average working day is devoted to individual task-focused work; 25% to collaboration, seven per cent to socializing and the same for learning. "Designers have to question why the sector is devoting so much space to collaboration when most of the working day is given over to tasks that require focus and concentration," commented Natasha Bonugli, Unispace Regional Principal, Design.
Open plan offices are now the most popular type of workspace with 31% of the total number. Cubicle style environments came in second at 18% and private offices at 13%.