Have you ever been surrounded by a group of talkative work colleagues or coworkers who are too loud? It is possible that coworkers may speak loudly together, on the phone, during meetings, or when mixing with others. It can be particularly challenging to deal with if you work in an open workplace, which is poor news for both productivity and employee harmony. Fortunately, there are various techniques to limit noise and prevent it from distracting you or affecting your productivity. In the below article, we will go through 10 ways to deal with loud coworkers.
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Protect your ears
Only one percent of employees in noisy open offices can successfully filter out noise and other disturbances on their own. This is where music, a white noise machine, or even silence can help. For music, use noise-canceling headphones with isolation. Maintain a low volume of music to keep you distracted but not loud enough to cause hearing loss or block hearing your colleagues when they address you.
Reorganize your schedule
Adaptability in various situations is one of the most valuable skills employees may have. It applies to how you approach things and how you adhere to a plan or routine. If your coworkers are excessively loud at a given time of day, it might be an excellent decision to eat lunch earlier (or later) than usual. If possible, complete the low-concentration duties during that period.
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Find the quietest zone
Another excellent way to deal with bothersome coworkers, particularly super energetic ones, is to define certain quiet zones in your office. Having established quiet zones, whether in a conference room or a distinct wing of the floor, can best promote cross-team communication and commitment. If your office does not currently have silent zones, make a recommendation to your supervisor and suggest where it could be.
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Lead by example
Noisy coworkers are frequently unaware that they are driving those around them insane. Leading by example is one of the most effective ways to deal with these employees. Consider the following advice if a very noisy coworker initiates a chat next to other teammates who are working: "This conversation may be bothersome to others around us. How about we find an empty room and continue our conversation there?" They may be more motivated to do this themselves the next time, making it a point to hold chats in a more private setting.
Make it clear to your coworkers
Inform your coworkers that you will be doing something essential and that noise control is required. Mention the time of day as a heads-up to ensure that they can plan accordingly. You can also bring up your request for reduced noise in a meeting so that everyone is informed and no one feels singled out. Hanging a sign at your desk or cubicle is a tried-and-true method of informing employees that you require as much quiet and peace as possible. This, however, only works for coworkers who occur to notice or walk by your workstation.
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Agree on quiet times
When you are distracted by noise, you can lose focus for long minutes. That's an extended period to return to any job at hand, and it becomes longer every single time it happens! Employees must be aware of permissible noise levels. A policy requiring specified quiet hours and spaces demonstrates that companies appreciate low noise levels. It's also quite useful to have separate locations for employees who want to be alone.
Change your workstation design
There are techniques to improve the efficiency of your office or workspace design. If your work requires a lot of attention, for example, you would not want to sit near the break room. Some rooms would benefit from the use of cubicle dividers, acoustical ceiling tiles, or wall soundproofing items. Consider carpet to further decrease sounds if you have a hard floor that generates distractions.
Ignore the noise for a change
If your colleagues are only occasionally loud, they may gradually calm down and return to their work. Evaluate how easily you can work around interruptions. When an employee is creating too much noise, you can work on simpler tasks that require less concentration. Begin your more difficult chores when they are quieter.
Show kindness
Your coworker may be making noise for a variety of reasons, so it's critical that you be understanding and compassionate as you deal with it. Allow them a chance to explain their viewpoint and use the situation as a discussion. Smile and nod politely to demonstrate you're paying attention and to let them know you're available to help and collaborate with their needs while you build a positive solution for both of you.
Notify your supervisor
While this may not be the best option, especially when your colleagues are sensitive, you may have to do it after all. Arrange a meeting with your boss to talk about the noise if it is interfering with your job. Inform them about the staff member's excessive noise, but maintain a professional attitude during the conversation. This ensures that you are not complaining and that you're keeping things positive.
Noisy colleagues can truly affect your work and your desire to continue working with them at the same company. Therefore, it is important to address the issue until you’re comfortable enough to carry on with your daily tasks.