Study highlights impact of excessive office noise

The findings, based on a survey of 2,000 UK business professionals, reveal the impact of poor acoustic design on employee satisfaction and productivity:

The data also reflects a generational divide: Two in three employees aged 25-34 say they would quit if forced to return to full-time office work, while just 1 in 10 Gen Z workers actively prefer office hours.

A productivity problem ignored
Despite the global focus on workplace wellbeing, the percentage of employees who describe their office as noisy has remained stubbornly high—from 59% in 2019 (Oscar Acoustics, Noisy Workspace, 2019)  to 56% in 2025. Noise-related productivity issues are also worsening: In 2023, 81% of employees reported that office noise affected their performance—up sharply from 41% in 2022.

To cope, employees are increasingly turning to noise-blocking methods, including headphones, with usage nearly doubling from 23% in 2022 to 41% in 2025. While effective in the short term, this reduces collaboration and team cohesion, stifling opportunities for spontaneous learning and innovation, especially for junior colleagues who are in a stage of their careers requiring mentorship and on-the-job coaching.

It’s all in the design
Acoustic issues continue to be overlooked in office design despite the growing evidence of their impact. Only 29% of workers feel their office acoustics meet their needs, with the same number revealing that implementing acoustic solutions would improve their productivity. This aligns with reports from architects highlighting a lack of focus on sound management in project briefs.

Ben Hancock, managing director of Oscar Acoustics, commented: “Productivity in the UK is already under scrutiny, with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reporting declines in Q1 2025² and EY revising GDP growth forecasts down to 1%³. Employers, architects, and developers cannot afford to treat acoustics as an afterthought. Investing in sound management isn’t just a matter of employee well-being—it's a strategic priority for business success.”

Neuroleadership coach, Lara Milward, added: “At this pivotal moment in the evolution of the workplace, we have the chance to redefine what the office actually means. It shouldn’t just be a place where people show up — it should be a purpose-built environment that actively supports health, well-being, focus, and collaboration. This isn’t just about designing workspaces; it’s about creating environments that give people real reasons to come together and do their best work."

Oscar Acoustics calls on companies to prioritise workplace acoustics as part of their return-to-work strategy, empowering employees to thrive in environments designed for both productivity and collaboration.