How to overcome back-to-the-office anxiety with acoustic pods?

Back-to-the-office anxiety – tl;dr

• Return-to-office (RTO) anxiety refers to the feeling of uneasiness workers experience while transitioning to more office-based work. In fact, this period of transition is particularly important. Research indicates that workers whose well-being significantly improved after their comeback to the office are twice more likely to be physically present in the workplace. On the other hand, employees whose emotional wellness was negatively affected by their return are around five times more likely to avoid responsibility.

• The feeling of stress and anxiety associated with RTO can be overwhelming, because it disrupts the work-life balance that employees achieved in home setups. Additionally, commuting stress exacerbates the problem along with the loss of the freedom which enabled employees working from home to feel in control of their working environment.

• Mitigating the return-to-office stress means, in the first place, addressing the deep-rooted stress points in the working environment, including team conflict, sensory overload, and workspace noise. Pods make an excellent spatial solution, responding to these challenges by providing the personal space required to enhance work relations, the focus space boosting employee performance, and the quiet space that serves as a retreat from the office hustle and bustle. What’s more, pods empower workers to maintain control over their mental bandwidth, offering space for temporary breaks to relax and recharge, thus ensuring the optimum work-life balance.

Why is the fear of returning to the office an issue?

Return-to-office (RTO) anxiety refers to the tension, apprehension, or discomfort that workers experience while transitioning to more office-based work. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including health or safety concerns, the necessity to adapt to more structured working routines, and, even more importantly, the perspective of losing flexibility.

The change to more office-based work is a turning point.

Research shows that workers whose well-being significantly improved after their comeback to the office are twice more likely to be physically present in the workplace. At the same time, employees whose emotional wellness was negatively affected by their return are around five times more likely to avoid taking responsibility.

By addressing anxiety points, employers will show that returning to the office has a silver lining.

In fact, there are many benefits that come with working more days in the office. One of them is an increased opportunity for promotion and mentoring for office-based employees compared to home-based individuals. And it’s no surprise that 79% of workers point out that the office enhances their sense of togetherness and belonging.

Returning to the office is connected with fear and anxiety, because change is a challenge.

Human psychology has strong foundations in evolution. While familiar situations give us a comforting sense of safety and stability, unfamiliar scenarios trigger our alertness. Although it’s a natural, evolutionary response, it is emotionally demanding and exhausting.

Since 2020 the world of office design has undergone numerous changes.

All changes, even for the good, can be uncomfortable to some extent. And nowadays workers are coming back to significantly different workspaces equipped with modular, modifiable furnishings that can be easily adopted to emerging needs. Additionally, modern office layouts are designed with privacy, wellness, and cosiness in mind. Also, technological integration has expanded considerably.

For sure, the pandemic had a considerable impact on employee behaviour, thus influencing the way offices are designed. The substantial increase in employees switching to remote-working models generated a demand for more flexibility, consequently, leading to the emergence of ultra-adaptable workspaces. As a result, successful modern offices are fitted with mobile furniture and adjustable workstations, enabling workers to adjust their working environment to their own preference. Hybrid workspaces, combining both remote and office-based models, have become an effective answer to the challenges of the dynamic, unpredictable work world. When it comes to employees’ needs and expectations, privacy and quietude are highly appreciated and desired. As many workers got accustomed to the peace and quiet of home setups ensuring complete, undisturbed focus, they now expect their workspace to offer similar stability and comfort

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

The key problem underlying employee RTO anxiety is connected with the sense of control.

Return to the office can be a significant challenge to the work-life balance that employees achieved in their home-based settings. The commuting stress also exacerbates the problem for many. And there is a substantial number of workers reluctant to give up control over their working environment, including noise-related issues or space ergonomics.

The deep-rooted sources of stress in the workspace should be tackled first.

Interpersonal conflict, approaching deadlines, and disturbing background noise take the lead. What connects all these stress points is a universal need for autonomy as employees need to feel in control of their team relations, workflow, and immediate working environment.

Interpersonal conflict and personality differences…

While introverted individuals may be disturbed by team members chatting in their vicinity, extroverts may be irritated by being eavesdropped during personal calls. Differences in needs and attitudes contribute to tension. Private spaces such as pods address this problem by providing employees with self-contained spaces to retreat whenever they need to isolate.

Excessive workload and tight deadlines…

While deadlines may be considered the number one stressor in the workplace, around 38% of workers regularly struggle with burnout caused by the pressure to meet one. This issue is highly disturbing given the substantial impact of burnout and stress related to performing tasks against the clock on employee performance.

What makes deadlines inherently stressful are tight schedules, urgency, and extended working hours. Our hushFree pods are self-contained, accessible retreats perfect for focused work, functioning as stress mitigators. Once you enter a pod, you can zoom in on your task, free from distractions such as noise or commotion. This silent oasis fosters concentration by eliminating all annoying interruptions typical of open-plan offices, simultaneously boosting performance and efficiency that make deadlines more achievable. Meeting booths can be of great help when it comes to tackling the omnipresent deadline anxiety. For instance, a booth such as hushFree.M is a dedicated space, addressing a variety of issues, including confusion, tension, and lack of adequate communication within the team. If left unresolved, these issues can seriously hinder progress

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Stressful backdrop noise…

Studies indicate that noise leads to increased cortisol levels, negatively impacting the prefrontal cortex in our brain responsible for planning, decision making, impulse control, and working memory. That’s why noise should be seen not only as an unpleasant, stressful distraction, but also as a factor impeding our cognitive skills.

Employees who experienced peace and quiet in their home setups got accustomed to silence.

Free from backdrop noise such as office chit chat or ringing phones, employees consider silence the new normal. That’s why, returning to a busy office might be challenging as it makes employees more vulnerable to distractions. And if office noise isn’t systematically tackled, RTO can end up being a sensory whiplash.

What actually makes the workplace acoustically “sound”?

In fact, the workspace with excellent acoustics is not completely silent as total silence is neither healthy nor pleasant for people. Instead, variety is the key: an acoustically-designed office should provide employees with a variety of soundscapes with each one devoted to specific tasks and purposes. Consider the following suggestions:

• Acoustic panels perfectly harmonise with the workspace design, gently diffusing sound and reducing echoes. The space free from disturbing reverberations creates an environment conducive to smooth, clear communication.

• The use of soft carpets and rugs adds comfort and cosiness to the office interior, but also serves a functional purpose by absorbing footsteps and backdrop sounds, which contributes to a more peaceful atmosphere.

• Acoustic ceiling tiles add an elegant finish to the office design while simultaneously minimising sound reflections and enhancing the overall workspace acoustics, which fosters speech clarity during discussions.

• Employing ergonomic furnishings equipped with built-in sound-dampening materials provides an additional design and acoustic solution. By incorporating acoustic panels into workstations, employee workspaces acquire a more personalised, peaceful character.

• Well-arranged workstations and personal areas facilitate various working modes. Each zone is strategically located to reduce sound transfer, dividing the workspace into dedicated areas for team discussions and focused tasks.

• Large acoustic booths such as hushFree.L are an excellent solution for workers who need private spaces for focused work or private conversations. Additionally, they balance visual openness and auditory privacy.

• Robust doors with solid seals prevent sound from getting inside private spaces. Double-glazed windows ensure peacefulness by reducing external noise. 

• The HVAC system works efficiently, maintaining optimal temperatures without generating disturbing hum or clatter. The use of acoustic materials in the ventilation system contributes to creating a tranquil working environment.

• Noise generated by office equipment is barely audible thanks to topical acoustic solutions. When placed strategically, plants can be a valuable visual and acoustic addition, dampening backdrop noise, thus improving the overall acoustics of the office.

Soundproof cabins enhance acoustics, privacy, and autonomy, helping mitigate RTO anxiety.

Office pods mitigate disturbing sounds and serve as private work and collaborative spaces. They contribute to creating a highly productive working environment, making meeting deadlines more achievable. What’s more, they provide employees with personal space to take the break they need to recharge, and engage in effective, harmonious teamwork.

Acoustic booths take control of noise, contributing to a quieter and more pleasant working environment.

Office pods such as hushFree.S offer peace and quiet. They stand out as reliable retreats regardless of how dynamic the office becomes, while simultaneously containing all noise generated inside. So, they are a win-win solution: inside – ensuring an acoustically impeccable working environment, and outside – isolation from the noise generated in the pod.

In modern offices, privacy is a must. HushFree booths provide excellent privacy.

Even before the pandemic, workers requested for private workspaces, and this need hasn’t changed until today. Invariably, privacy is the key requirement for effective workflow, confidential discussions, and collaborative work. HushFree.M, a 4-person booth, is a meeting space fulfilling this requirement. 

Once you enter a private office booth such as hushFree.M, you find yourself in a secluded space, specifically designed to provide maximum comfort and enhance productivity. Its comfy furniture creates an inviting, cocoon-like atmosphere, harmoniously combining cosiness and functionality. Soft-upholstered sound-dampening wall panels form a kind of shield, protecting you from the office hubbub. Customisable lighting and ventilation systems can be adjusted to meet your personal preferences, creating your private optimum working environment. Finally, the glass panels on your right and left provide a balance between isolation and connection, enabling visual contact with other team members while still maintaining your privacy

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

With office booths workers have more autonomy over their working environment – a highly valued working-from-home freedom.

While working from home, employees had more control over their immediate space. That’s why the prospect of losing it can be an additional source of stress. Office booths can be a game-changer! They not only cancel out distracting noise, but also grant workers autonomy over the finer aspects of their immediate workspace such as lighting and ventilation.

Fear of change (and loss of autonomy) is the main part of return-to-office anxiety.

Office pods address this part of human nature by serving as stable environments, granting control of the visual and auditory stimuli in your immediate workspace. When given such autonomy over their surroundings, employees show increased performance and greater satisfaction from their office.

What should be done to provide employees with equal access to acoustic cabins?

An ideal balance between accessibility and privacy is the key! So, if accessibility is crucial, locate the pod in close proximity to its designated working area. However, if visual privacy is your top priority for a particular pod, locate it in a corner or a distant spot.

Clear use instructions help ensure equal access and avoid scheduling conflicts.

First of all, time limits should be set to ensure equal access to pods for all team members. Additionally, it is recommended to assign types of tasks to each booth (e.g. private booths for focus work, meeting booths for teamwork). Also, workers are supposed to leave the booths in the condition they were found.

What number of booths is necessary for my office?

The general rule is: one phone booth (for example, hushFree.S) for every 5 employees, and one team meeting pod (for example, hushFree.M) to cater for every 10 workers.

If you have any questions, contact our team.

• Return-to-office (RTO) anxiety refers to the feeling of uneasiness workers experience while transitioning to more office-based work. In fact, this period of transition is particularly important. Research indicates that workers whose well-being significantly improved after their comeback to the office are twice more likely to be physically present in the workplace. On the other hand, employees whose emotional wellness was negatively affected by their return are around five times more likely to avoid responsibility.

• The feeling of stress and anxiety associated with RTO can be overwhelming, because it disrupts the work-life balance that employees achieved in home setups. Additionally, commuting stress exacerbates the problem along with the loss of the freedom which enabled employees working from home to feel in control of their working environment.

• Mitigating the return-to-office stress means, in the first place, addressing the deep-rooted stress points in the working environment, including team conflict, sensory overload, and workspace noise. Pods make an excellent spatial solution, responding to these challenges by providing the personal space required to enhance work relations, the focus space boosting employee performance, and the quiet space that serves as a retreat from the office hustle and bustle. What’s more, pods empower workers to maintain control over their mental bandwidth, offering space for temporary breaks to relax and recharge, thus ensuring the optimum work-life balance.

Return-to-office anxiety – frequently asked questions

What does return-to-office anxiety refer to?

RTO anxiety can be defined as a psychological discomfort experienced by workers transitioning back to office-based work.

What factors contribute to RTO anxiety?

According to around 71% of workers, the main source of RTO anxiety is decreased flexibility connected with transitioning from comfortable home setups to physical office locations. Also, 68% of employees consider commuting to be the number-one stress factor.

How can office pods mitigate the stress workers experience while transitioning to office-based work?

Using private pods and booths benefits employees in many different ways. Firstly, they grant workers autonomy over their working environment, including lighting and ventilation. This level of control is much needed, or even desired, particularly as employees have become accustomed to more autonomy within their home-based workspaces. Additionally, pods minimise background noise by containing its most annoying sources such as conversations and phone calls. In short, they introduce peace and quiet into the busy office, making it quieter, which has been an ongoing employee demand. At the same time, pods cancel out background noise, offering a comfortable, silent environment to their users. Summing up, they are premium spaces for focused work and meetings, extending the office landscape of closed and open environments.