3 Reasons To Bring People Back To The Office.

We explain what companies need to do in bringing their teams back to the office. We also share how we are planning to get our office ready and entice people back to the office.

The core challenges businesses face to get their people back to the office are that many people enjoy working from home, and there’s a big focus on people’s attitudes towards COVID and staying safe. Many people have misconceptions that making your office COVID secure is going to be extremely costly. Some simple measures that have been relatively inexpensive to achieve combined with a focus on people’s behaviours have proved very effective.

01. People need people

The main reason that businesses will want to start transitioning people back to the office is that people need people. They inspire each other. They give each other confidence, and that is all about health and wellbeing. The culture of your company and the ability to work together is what makes your brand.

02. Compromised culture

In the initial period of the pandemic, everybody went to work from home. When you’ve got new people joining or when you just haven’t seen your team for many months, those relationships are going to start to break down. Your ability to be creative and collaborate is going to be affected. Your culture as a business is going to be compromised. Therefore, your financials could be affected by that.

03. Virtual burnout

The main challenge working from home can be distractions of family life, not having a great setup and the technology side of things. But the main challenge was loneliness during locked down. Loneliness is one of the major driving factors for people coming back to work.

The other thing is virtual burnout, making call after call after call on Teams or Zoom. When you become locked in a single environment, it becomes much harder to be creative going forward. Having space available for your employees to come to is going to be valuable.

Companies need to entice people back to the office.

During the pandemic, we have been working on our office and showroom ‘Revitalise & Reset’ project. We are going through the planning and design process. We have incorporated COVID requirements. The now is about an immediate reaction to what we can do in line with the current guidelines and the transition in getting people back to the office.

Topaz showroom layout plan
Topaz Furniture Showroom, design plan.

Topaz Furniture provides a total commercial furniture fitout in terms of supply and install, but we also have an in-house interior design team for companies looking to get the best return on investment. We offer custom furniture fitout design service for clients in Melbourne, Sydney and throughout Australia. We can create furniture floor plans, moodboards, colour palettes and finishes selections.

COVID-19 products

We have introduced a range of Office Hygiene Products in line with the current guidelines. This includes a collection of hand sanitiser stands and stations, clear Perspex sneeze screens and workstation privacy screens which can be added to existing workstations.

We have over 30 years of experience that we can share with others. The workplace is different for all of our clients. But we’re here to go on that journey with them, and we will use our experience to make sure it’s a seamless journey.

We’re ready to rethink your workspace and help bring people back to the office.

[Updated 18 May 2022]

Acoustics in the office are often overlooked as a potential source of distraction for your team. Office acoustic solutions can have a significant impact on productivity. Office noise can come from a variety of sources, including printers, copiers, phones, and conversations between employees.

The good news is that there are ways to improve office acoustics and reduce noise levels. These include installing sound-absorbing materials such as carpeting or acoustic panels. Also, creating designated quiet zones for employees who need to focus. Making changes to office acoustics can have a big impact on productivity.

Office noise sources

Office acoustic solutions can help to reduce the amount of noise that is generated in the office. There are a variety of office noise sources. They can include office equipment, conversations, and even outside noise. Let’s take a closer look at these sources.

Office equipment, such as printers and copiers, can be a major source of office noise. Especially if employees work next to these areas, due to poor office layout.

Conversations can also be a major source of office noise. Some employees are constantly on telephones or talking loudly. This can make it difficult to concentrate on work for other employees.

Outside noise can also be a problem in an office environment. If your office is located near a busy street, construction site, the constant noise can be distracting. These problems make it difficult to focus on work.

Office meeting room

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Ways to improve office acoustics

There are a few different ways to improve office acoustics. One way is to invest in office acoustic solutions. Like using sound-absorbing materials in common areas, meeting rooms or break rooms. Also, office employees can be encouraged to use personal listening devices when working in an open-plan workspace.

Implementing even one of these office acoustic solutions can create a more productive and enjoyable work environment for your team.

The benefits of improving office acoustics

Office acoustic solutions can improve communication and collaboration among team members. While also reducing noise distractions. In turn, this can lead to a more productive and efficient workplace. Additionally, these solutions can help create a more pleasant and comfortable office.

Good office acoustics can have numerous benefits for businesses and their teams. By creating a more conducive environment for communication and collaboration, businesses can boost efficiency. In turn, this can lead to improved bottom-line results. Employees may also appreciate the improved working conditions. This can lead to an increase in job satisfaction. Ultimately, they can have a positive impact on both businesses and employees.

Korber workplace quiet lounge

Top office acoustic solutions on the market

If you’re looking for office acoustic solutions to make your team more productive, you’ve come to the right place. There are several ways to improve the acoustics in your office. We’ve compiled the top five office acoustic solutions to help you get started.

1. Use Acoustic Walls and Panels

Acoustic panels are an effective way to reduce noise in your office. They can be mounted on walls or ceilings, and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Acoustic panels absorb sound, which helps to reduce echo.

2. Acoustic Workstation Screens

Modern workstations are offering the option of personalized acoustic screens. Upholstered in soundproofing materials to enhance acoustic comfort while being stylish additions.

3. Use Carpet and Rugs

Carpet and rugs can help to absorb sound, making your office more peaceful. Choose carpeting with a thick pile, and consider using area rugs in high-traffic areas.

4. Add Plants

Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they can also help to improve office acoustics. Plants absorb sound waves, which helps to reduce noise levels overall.

5. Incorporate Pods and Booths

Acoustic working or meeting pods and phone booths can be incorporated to control noise in the office. They have excellent sound absorbing properties and can be an attractive feature.

As you can see, there are a variety of office acoustic solutions available, depending on the specific needs of your office space.

Creating a quiet zone in your office

If you’re looking for office acoustic solutions that will help create a quiet zone in your office, there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll want to make sure that you have adequate soundproofing. This can be accomplished by using thick carpets or rugs, curtains or drapes, and acoustic panels.

You’ll also want to think about the layout of your office and how you can minimize noise distractions. For example, placing workstations away from high-traffic areas can help reduce noise levels. And if possible, try to create designated quiet areas where team members can go to focus on their work without interruption.

Finally, encouraging employees to use headphones when they need to concentrate and establishing office-wide “quiet hours” can help everyone be more productive.

Conclusion

Today’s office can be a loud and distracting place. By taking some simple steps to improve the acoustics, you can create a more peaceful and productive environment for your team.

From printers and copy machines to conversations and general office chatter, there are ways to improve your office acoustics. With soundproofing and sound absorption, you can achieve increased concentration, decreased stress levels, and improved communication in the office.

As we have discussed, there are several office acoustic solutions available on the market today. Some of the top options include soundproofing panels and sound-absorbing materials. By taking these steps, you can create a more peaceful and productive office environment for your team. Remember, when your team feels good walking into the office every morning it becomes a place they want to be.

For more advice on improving your office acoustics, contact to one of our workplace specialists. By improving your workplace, your team will start to love Mondays.