In the modern, open plan office spaces that we most often see today, the most common problem is noise which can lead to a lack of efficiency and frustration for employees.

Call centre environments are problem environments when it comes to noise because of the often close proximity of employees who spend most of their time talking on the phone. The largest causes of excessive noise within the workplace are the noise reflections which amplify everything and come back from hard surfaces. Hard surfaced floors and ceilings and even walls and glass windows and walls along with office desk worktops can all reflect and amplify sound.

Luckily there is plenty that can be done when planning your office; specifying soft flooring ssuch as carpets or carpet tiles will eliminate much of the problem immediately.

It is often common to see office desk mounted partitions specified in office furniture plans and these screens work best to reduce noise and provide privacy, although the most effective type are fabric screens and not the hard surfaced screens.

It is possible to purchase absorbing acoustic screens and panels which will reduce any reflected noise by up to 75%. The panels can be attached to hard walls to reduce acoustics.