The glaring piece of evidence around sound and productivity is that more equals less. Quite simply, the more disruptive noise present in a workplace, the more workers experience stress and reduced output.
A study from the University of Sydney shows that a lack of sound privacy rankles employees more than temperature, space, comfort or colour. Another study by Steelcase and Ipsos concluded that sound distractions cost companies with open plan offices 86 minutes productivity per day,