Office noise impacting staff welfare

The findings are laid bare in a new whitepaper from the specialists in architectural acoustic finishes, exposing a clear pattern: companies are still failing to tackle excessive workplace noise, despite its proven impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. After years of wellness promises, the reality is stark — just 26% of employees believe their company takes a genuinely forward-thinking approach to wellbeing.

Back in 2019, Oscar Acoustics' research was among the first to highlight how noise undermines employee wellbeing at work. Fast forward more than five years, and despite a surge in public awareness and investment in workplace wellness, the reality is disappointing: little has changed.

Today, over half of employees (56%) still describe their office as noisy, almost identical to the findings from its original survey. This persistence reveals a striking gap between wellness rhetoric and the everyday experiences of workers.

Oscar Acoustics’ research also found that one in 14 workers has reported hearing damage due to excessive workplace noise levels, equating to thousands of employees across the UK.

Noise and the lack of meaningful action from employers is especially damaging for neurodiverse employees, who face far greater challenges in poor acoustic environments.

Among those with dyspraxia, 71% find their workplace noisy, while 67% of employees with ADHD and 66% with dyslexia report similar issues. For employees with autism, over two in five (42%) report delivering poor quality work due to excessive volume.

Despite workers’ concerns, Oscar Acoustics’ research shows that just 3% of employees believe their employer is planning to redesign the office, while just 15% have confirmed their office spaces have undergone a complete redesign.

This is despite nearly a third of employees (29%) calling for improved acoustic design.

Ben Hancock, managing director at Oscar Acoustics, said: "Good acoustics aren't just about comfort; they're essential for both physical and mental wellbeing. When we create acoustically inclusive environments, we support every employee's ability to perform at their best, while protecting them from the documented health risks of excessive noise exposure.

“These findings highlight how big a problem this is, especially when considering how many people have reported hearing damage. It’s important that moving forward, companies place more of an emphasis on making their office and working environments safe, and show a real commitment to employee’s health and wellbeing so they can thrive.”

Companies’ inaction regarding health and wellbeing is leading to workers finding their own solutions.

Over two-fifths (41%) now wear headphones at work, a figure that is nearly double the 23% recorded in 2022. While 36% choose to work from home specifically to escape noise, undermining return-to-office initiatives.

Some employees report more extreme coping mechanisms, with 19% admitting to snapping at colleagues due to noise-related stress, and 9% even snapping at managers or bosses.

Hancock added: “Companies often cite strengthening workplace culture as a key reason for people returning to the office full time. But it’s clear to see that noise is undermining this, and in some cases, is actually making workplace culture even worse with hostilities growing. And this will continue to be the case until acoustics are front of mind for companies, and considered a priority.”

To download the whitepaper, titled Shaping Future-Ready Work Spaces for The Great Return to the Office, click here