A modern workplace can be a highly stressful place for employees.
In fact, 76% of professionals in a study were experiencing moderate to high levels of stress in their workplace, a rise of 13% when compared to 2022.
Employee well-being should be at the forefront of all business thinking, so this is an alarming statistic for many employers.
Therefore, this leads to the question of how you can improve well-being in the workplace.
While this is a nuanced topic and there are many different answers, one solution is to add an acoustic booth.
Over half of all employees wish for more quiet places in an office environment and being able to provide one through a pod or booth can make a big difference.
We’ve created this guide to look a little deeper into just why this is the case, so let’s take a look.
The Importance of Employee Well-being
There are many reasons that employee well-being is important. First and foremost, is that your workplace should be a happy place to be in, and as a business owner, you should pride yourselves on having employees who enjoy coming to work and being a part of your business.
Their mental health should be a top priority and if they can see you are making every effort to maintain this at a high level then that will be a big boost for them.
There are also some business reasons why it is important to have a heavy focus on this aspect of employee care also, including:
- Better Employee Retention – The happier your workforce is, the more likely you are to retain talent as they will feel valued and comfortable at your company and happy to build their career there.
- Increased Work performance – A positive well-being has been proven in many studies to increase many aspects of work performance, including productivity, creativity, and a willingness to collaborate with colleagues.
- A Positive Company Culture – Prioritising employee well-being helps create a positive company culture, which will lead to increased camaraderie, mutual respect, and a sense of shared purpose amongst employees.
These are just a handful of the reasons why a positive mindset amongst employees should be a priority for a business owner.
But how can adding acoustic booths to your workplace help?
Here are five reasons.
How an Acoustic Booth Can Improve Workplace Mood
Reduced Distractions
Most workplaces have a constant murmur of sounds.
From office equipment buzzing in the background, to chatter between colleagues, there is no escaping noise inside most offices.
If you are already stressed about deadlines, or simply find it hard to concentrate, then this can add more stress to your day and stop you from getting the work done that needs to be.
An acoustic booth is a place you can take yourself away and find a spot of tranquillity. This can allow you to catch your breath and really focus for a while.
One of the key causes of workplace stress is a high workload, so being able to really get your head down with minimal distractions can be a big help in reducing this and helping you get stuff done.
In turn, you will have a much more positive mindset about your work.
Supporting Different Work Styles
No employee is the same.
You may be someone who loves to talk through jobs with people, and much prefers a collaborative approach.
Alternatively, you may find working alone is when you feel best.
Either way, an acoustic booth can provide the perfect environment for you to do so.
If you want to hold meetings without being too loud for the office, this is ideal as you can talk freely knowing you are not distracting anyone.
If you want to get your head down in silence, you can do so as well.
Your employees are diverse, and all have different needs. An acoustic booth can be ideal for solving them all.
Taking a Deep Breath
We’ve all been there. The work is coming in thick and fast; the office is loud and distracting, and everything is getting a little bit overwhelming.
In these situations, it is a great idea to step away from the computer and take a short break.
But where do you go?
If everywhere in the office is loud and busy, this can only add to the stress you’re feeling.
An acoustic booth provides somewhere where an employee can take a break and catch their breath. This is great for mindfulness, and something we recommend is providing training in quick relaxation techniques that workers can use in this situation.
Even just having five minutes of silence can lead to a much clearer mind and will have your workers feeling much more productive afterward.
Comfortable Working Environment
If you’re feeling stressed at work, then sometimes the whole environment doesn’t help.
This isn’t just about the office noise, but also things like your chair which may be causing an ache in your back, or the lights that are too bright and give you a headache.
All of these compound to make your workplace tough on your mental health.
An acoustic booth will be designed to provide a comfortable place at which you can work. This will include lighting at a comfortable level, comfortable and ergonomic seating so you can sit for hours without pain, and a well-ventilated atmosphere that is always at a good temperature.
If you are struggling to get comfy in your office, this can really get you down and lead to less work getting done, so having this place to go to can make a big difference.
Improve Employee Relationships
Something that can be a burden on someone’s mental health is when they feel they don’t have anyone to turn to.
This can be just for a chat, or something work-related.
An acoustic booth provides a place you can speak freely and openly with someone, without fear of anyone outside hearing.
This can be a big help when you have something you need to get off your chest.
A booth also encourages meetings and collaboration. This is great for growing relationships with coworkers and may lead to collaboration when there wouldn’t have previously been any.
Having pods that make video conferences easier can also help integrate team members who may use hybrid or remote working.
If you can build these relationships, then friendships will blossom and the workplace may become a much brighter place.
Over time, you will feel comfortable around other employees and know they are there for you if you’re ever feeling down emotionally, overwhelmed by work, or stuck on a project.
Acoustic Booths from Max Furniture
Acoustic booths offer many benefits, and being able to provide a boost to employee well-being is an important one.
If you would like to more or would like to look at our range of acoustic booths that are available right now, then get in touch with our team today.
Whether it’s needing advice on the best booth for you, or simply a quick chat about what our pods can do, we would love to speak with you.
