Making Offices Quieter
Open-plan offices were designed to make communication easier, but many workers find constant noise distracting. Some companies are now creating quiet zones where phone calls and meetings are not allowed. These areas are intended for tasks (9) ________ require long periods of focus. A quiet room can also give people a place to read or think for a few minutes. Employees can move there when they need to work without (10) ________ interrupted. The idea sounds simple, but it only works if everyone understands (11) ________ the space is for and respects the rules. Other solutions include sound-absorbing materials and small rooms for video calls. Managers are also encouraged to think (12) ________ whether every conversation needs to happen at a desk. Managers sometimes move a short meeting to another area (13) ________ that others do not lose focus. Quiet spaces should not, however, be used (14) ________ place of collaboration. Most people need both interaction and periods of uninterrupted work. The challenge is to provide enough choice (15) ________ employees to use the environment in whatever way they see (16) ________.