A noticeable trend has taken hold of the business world. According to a recent study, 88% of businesses require employees to be in the office more while synonymously shrinking their office space. 80% of companies have already reduced their square footage while 75% are planning further reductions. While leaders may see downsizing their space to be more economically sustainable and conducive to a hybrid work model, they should proceed with caution. If not done correctly, changes to a space can have detrimental effects on employee well-being and productivity.
80% of businesses have already downsized
One of the major drawbacks to downsizing office space is a loss of productivity due to decreased
privacy. While open office environments allow companies to seat more employees, they are
statistically more distracting with employees wasting between 21.5-86 minutes daily due to distractions. Constant noise is also mentally taxing which leads to decreased productivity, physical ailments, and employee burnout.
Solutions for Small Offices
If you are one of the 80% of businesses looking to downsize, here are three great ways to provide privacy and improve productivity in small offices:
Phone Booths
Soundproof phone booths are an excellent solution for loud, distracting offices. Whether an employee needs to make a personal call or a quiet space for a virtual meeting, phone booths provide accessible privacy without taking up much real estate.
Pods
These ventilated, stand-alone rooms provide a place for small teams to collaborate, brainstorm, and have important discussions without distractions. Just like the phone booths, they have a small footprint and can be placed anywhere on your floor plan.
Flexible Furniture
Flexible furniture with attached or standing acoustic panels fits in small spaces and
provide visual and verbal privacy. By also using height-adjustable desks on casters, employees have the freedom to move their worksurface to meet their needs.
We Can Help!
Create Spaces is the expert in space planning and furniture selection. If you are interested in finding solutions to create privacy in small offices, contact us today!
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