The disabling effect of subtle auditory and/or visual interference. By Dr. David L. Lawrence, Founder and President, EfficientPractice.com
Dr. David L. Lawrence
Founder and President of EfficientPractice.com, prolific writer, thought leader and keynote speaker
Let’s take the example of a firm that has a cubicle arrangement in the main office area. Someone in one cubicle is talking loudly on the phone. Cubicles next to this can hear the conversation. In the case, someone in the next cubicle is working on an analytical task. Studies have shown that once interrupted from such a task, it can take up to 10 minutes or more to get back on track with such a task. Multiply this by the number of employees affected, times the number of interruptions in a single day, and then times the number of work days in each year. What you are left with are potentially huge interruptions that can cost a firm both in real dollars and wasted hours.
The truth is, there are cost-effective ways to overcome the issue of auditory interference.
One way is to create a masking noise. This could be a background sound such as a portable waterfall (bubbling water). Another may be to add floral elements to the top and/or sides of a cubicle that can absorb sound.
Yet another could be to enhance each cubicle with sound absorbing materials. Some firms have chosen to enlarge the cubicles with a fourth wall that encapsulates the employee (obviously with an entrance that is away from other cubicles, if possible. This solution can also help with visual interference by shielding employees from visual distractions such as people walking by the cubicle.
With office areas that are large enough to accommodate, placing those employees who most often engage in analytical tasks in an enclosed office can help, but cost factors need to be considered as well.
With these enhancements to a cubicle area of an office, it is also important to develop communication protocols that can reduce or eliminate interference of an employee working on an analytical task.
Using ‘Do Not Disturb’ signs on doors or walls will sooner or later be ignored. There are now ‘Do Not Disturb’ lights that blink when an employee wants quiet or privacy. These also have limited impact. But an office memo technology that works through a CRM software (or similar) can be more effective with younger employees who grew up using technology.