A recent study by Oscar Acoustics reveals significant challenges faced by women in finance due to noisy office environments. The report indicates that noise levels in the workplace are affecting productivity and are pushing a significant number of women to work from home.
- Over one-third of women in finance are opting to work remotely to avoid disruptive office noise.
- The study highlights that noise in the office is impairing professional performance, especially for women, with many reporting difficulties in concentration.
- Female employees cite colleague chatter and video calls as primary noise disturbances, leading to extended work hours to compensate.
- Senior management’s lack of attention to noise issues exacerbates stress and impacts women more than men.
The Oscar Acoustics report, titled ‘The UK’s Productivity Pitfall’, provides a thorough analysis of office acoustics and their impact on performance in the finance sector. The study surveyed 1,500 employees and managers in the UK finance and professional services industries, unveiling that excessive noise is a significant deterrent for staff returning to the office. Women, in particular, are disproportionately affected by these conditions.
It is evident from the report that workplace noise is not only distracting but also detrimental to the quality of work produced by female bankers. Nearly two in five female bankers admitted to delivering subpar work due to noise distractions, and 57% found it challenging to maintain focus. This impact is comparably less pronounced among their male counterparts, yet remains significant.
Among the various ‘noise bug-bears’, over half of the women identified conversations between colleagues as the most irksome, while a substantial portion also pointed to video calls as a constant source of disturbance. Consequently, a quarter of the women find themselves working outside regular hours to catch up on tasks, showing a slight increase from previous years’ studies.
The issue extends to a perceived indifference from senior management, as approximately 22% of women believe their concerns about noise are not being taken seriously, in contrast to 14% of men who feel the same way. This suggests a gap in management’s response to employee needs regarding noise control.
The findings align with wider conversations about remote working, which, while offering flexibility, also presents obstacles for women. Remote work can hinder networking opportunities crucial for career advancement, as corroborated by research from George Washington University. Additionally, data from Forbes shows that remote workers are less frequently promoted than their in-office counterparts.
Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics, stressed the necessity for businesses to address these acoustic challenges to foster a more productive work environment. He emphasizes that improved office acoustics can potentially enhance both employee well-being and organisational productivity.
Addressing workplace noise is essential to improve women’s experiences and performance in finance.
