Is using headphones in the office anti-social behaviour?

While many employees in the workplace cite using headphones and earbuds as a great way to concentrate and work, others are questioning if headphones are an aid or detriment to employees working in the office. This is because many offices are arranged in an open-plan format, where noise can impact productivity, said Assistant Professor Elizabeth Sander, MBA director & assistant professor of organisational behaviour at Bond University’s business school, writing for The Conversation.

Research from Bond University found that relatively moderate levels of open-plan office noise caused a 25% increase in negative mood and an increase in physiological stress by 34%, reducing performance and productivity, while employees in quieter one-person offices perform 14% better on a cognitive task than their counterparts in open plan offices. When they no longer have the luxury of closing their office door, employees resort to headphones to block out noise. 

However, wearing headphones can be seen as anti-social, as it reduces opportunities to connect with colleagues, share ideas and build social relationships. “While focused work is important, success in modern workplaces is often driven by how well individuals interact with each other and with the organisation,” explained Sander. “Workplaces that provide more frequent and higher-quality contact with others have been shown to have improved communication and collaboration on tasks, job satisfaction and social support.”

Organisations, Sander continued, can resolve these issues by ensuring the design and layout of the office provides sufficient spaces for employees to retreat from noise, so that employees can be encouraged to interact and collaborate while letting them concentrate on work when needed.

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“By establishing effective team communication strategies and providing workers with well-designed spaces that enable focused work, employees may be less likely to use headphones for long periods, therefore enhancing opportunities for knowledge sharing, problem solving and team interaction.” Sander concluded.