Commercial Sound Masking Systems in the ‘Return-to-Office’ Era: Invite Employees Back with an Irresistible Work Environment

Businesses across the globe are still feeling the impact of COVID-19. So, it’s no surprise that post-pandemic trends are taking time to settle. From health and safety overhauls to the reevaluation of working models, business agility is still very much in the spotlight.

For some US companies, it’s time to take back control of operations. With a whopping 90% of companies planning to implement return-to-office policies by the end of 2024, it’s clear that business owners are attempting to shape ‘the new normal’ on their terms.

But, not all employees are on board with the trend.

Employers need to make the in-office experience more inviting than ever if they want to compete with the no-commute comforts of home that remote workers have come to enjoy.

But how?

Our team of sound masking experts is here to help.

What is Sound Masking & Is It the Same as White Noise?

Before we move onto some of the finer details, let’s clear up a common misconception about sound masking. While white noise and sound masking share the same goal of reducing distractions, they take two completely different approaches.

White noise is a consistent and evenly distributed sound across all frequencies, providing a steady hum that can mask certain distracting noises. But, this noise can itself become intrusive, ultimately impacting the sense of comfort in commercial spaces.

On the other hand, sound masking is a more sophisticated technology that delivers a precisely tuned ambient sound, often resembling airflow or gentle background noise. This technique is designed to match the frequency of human speech, increasing speech privacy to create a more ambient environment.

But how exactly can sound masking help establish a workspace that employees look forward to spending time in?

Here’s our take:

1. It Sets a Welcoming Tone for Your Workspace

Creating a welcoming atmosphere in your office is about more than just aesthetics. Ambient background sound plays a major role in setting the tone for your space, especially in terms of psychological perception and tranquility.

So how comfortable and at ease do your employees currently feel in your office?

Here are 4 practical tips to assess the ambiance of your workspace and safeguard employees against some of the distractions they might face at home:

• Employee feedback: Actively seek feedback from employees on your current acoustic environment — if there’s something they don’t like, it’s important to be able to address it as soon as possible!

• Visitor impressions: Consider the impressions of visitors regarding the noise levels in your office. After all, fresh ears can provide new perspectives on your in-office experience.

• Variety of spaces: Evaluate whether different spaces within your office offer a variety of ambient sounds. From private offices to shared cubicles, every environment has different needs to cater to.

• Professional assessment: Engage with sound masking and acoustical design professionals for a thorough evaluation of your office. Because sound masking makes such a big difference to how your business operates, it’s important to get it right from the start.

Tip: Don’t forget to also prioritize the visual appeal of your workspace. The textures, colors, and design elements provided by brands like AKUSTUS® can help create a truly welcoming ambiance that aligns perfectly with your new sound environment!

2. It Helps Employees Speak More Confidently

Confidence in speech is an essential part of effective communication. And, it’s even more critical in the workplace.

Sound masking solutions can create an environment where employees feel confident speaking without fear of being overheard or causing disruptions. This is because sound masking reduces how far away conversations can be heard and understood by others — a good standard for all commercial offices to have.

Hoping to leverage sound masking techniques to enhance confidentiality and promote a greater sense of professional comfort?

Here are 4 areas to consider:

• Privacy in open spaces: Allow employees to discuss matters without the fear of being overheard in open workspaces.

• Meeting room confidentiality: For both professional and compliance purposes, it’s important that confidential discussions in meeting rooms remain private.

• Phone call security: To enhance in-office speech privacy and ensure all employees feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters, it’s important to provide spaces where confidential phone conversations can take place.

• Boosted confidence: Using strategic sound masking technology like sound masking speakers, it’s also possible to make sure intended audiences are the only ones impacted by presentations and public speaking events. This helps employees carry out their tasks with confidence.

3. It Establishes a Sense of Contentment

The respect a company displays for its employees is a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent. By creating an office space that’s inviting, uplifting, and comfortable to work in, your business can demonstrate a greater sense of responsibility over employee well being and long-term contentment.

Wondering how?

Here are 3 ways an effective sound masking system can contribute to an environment that values employees:

• Minimized distractions: As a dedicated employer, you’ll naturally want to create an atmosphere where employees can work without constant interruptions. This will not only help employees feel more valued, it’ll also boost productivity across teams.

• Reduced stress: Stress mitigation is a big factor for staff retention. This is why it’s important to limit stress caused to the human ear — especially from irritating or loud noises in the workplace — and prioritize your employees’ wellbeing in the process.

• Enhanced concentration: For employees to feel good about going back to the office, it’s vital for in-office working to feel worthwhile. Support employee productivity and concentration by minimizing distractions for the kind of focus they may not be able to get at home.

• Elevated atmosphere: How your office looks can impact how employees feel. Enhance your workspace with visually-appealing sound solution products from brands like AKUSTUS®, creating environments that are uniquely bright and happy.

4. It Promotes Continuous Improvement

You’re an employer that workers want to go the extra mile for (literally!). So, it’s important for your business to highlight your commitment to agile and forward-thinking operations, as well as your alignment with modern best practices and continuous improvement.

Sound masking can be a great step towards creating a more comprehensive acoustical strategy that can completely transform the look and feel of your office space – while also demonstrating your commitment to improvement!

To reflect a ‘new era’ for in-office working, and to create a buzz for returning employees, here are 3 additional sound solution strategies to consider:

• Acoustical panel installation: Implement high-performance wall panels for sound absorption across your office space. These panels can be customized to suit the aesthetics of your office, welcoming your employees back with a fresh look.

• Custom ceiling systems: Optimize overhead space to enhance overall sound control and make sure sound transfer doesn’t negatively impact workers. This type of system can be more affordable than you think, which is why it’s important to speak directly with a sound solution expert.

• Paging systems: Efficiently communicate information throughout your office, while improving safety standards. A modern and safe working environment is one that balances noise control and sound clarity when needed. If your office has a message to get out there, make sure all employees have an equal opportunity to hear it!

Can sound masking work in every office?

The answer to this question is always “yes”. But, it’s still wise to speak directly with a sound masking expert that specializes in commercial sound masking technology to effectively optimize your sound environment.

Leveraging systems from brands like LogiSon® and AKUSTUS®, a true professional will be able to assess your space and provide insights on how to optimize your acoustical environment for best results — at the best price!

Partner with Sound Solution Group – Your Commercial Noise Control Experts

At Sound Solution Group in Rocklin, CA, we’re committed to helping commercial businesses achieve optimal acoustics and make all staff and stakeholders more comfortable in their working environments.

To learn more about our commercial sound solutions, or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, simply reach out to us today.