The key to healthier employees could be a quieter – or louder – office space

The key to healthier employees could be a quieter – or louder – office space A new study suggests that too much – or too little – office noise has a negative effect on employee well-being. The sweet spot? About 50 decibels, comparable to moderate rain or birdsong. Kyle Mittan Today University Communicationssound-well-being-header-web.jpgBusiness and LawHealthBIO5College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape ArchitectureEller College of ManagementExplorationResearch Media contact(s)Kyle Mittan News Writer, University Communicationsmittank@arizona.edu520-626-4407 Researcher contact(s)Esther Sternberg Institute on Place, Wellbeing& Performance Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicineesternberg@arizona.eduChoosing to work in the murmur of a busy coffee shop rather than in an office with library-level silence might be healthier, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Arizona and University of Kansas.The study finds – perhaps unsurprisingly – that loud noises at the office have a negative impact on employee well-being. But the study also suggests that complete silence is not conducive to a healthy workplace.The sweet spot for office noise? About 50 decibels, roughly equivalent to birdsong or the pitter-patter of moderate rain.sternberg-web.jpg Esther Sternberg" Everybody knows that loud noise is stressful, and, in fact, extremely loud noise is harmful to your ear, " said study co-authorEsther Sternberg, director of the UAriz...
Source: The University of Arizona: Health - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Source Type: research