Expert Advice on Employee Distractions and How to Remove Them

One of the biggest distractions for knowledge workers is the constant stream of email, IMs, and pings. Over 70% of knowledge workers stop their work to check their emails, and one in eight checks their email every few minutes. The good news is that you can reduce these distractions and free up time for focused work.

Meeting-free worktime

Meetings take up an inordinate amount of time in the workplace, and they can derail a person’s focus and ability to do their best work. Not only can they detract from overall team morale, but they can also increase the risk of being late for work. Setting aside one day of the week as “meeting-free” can give workers at least eight hours back each week.

Distractions can be eliminated using several simple methods. For example, users can install browser extensions that block notifications from social media platforms, such as Forest or BlockSite. Another good idea is to hide cell phones when they are not in use. Alternatively, they can install a work-time app that muffles notifications and only shows updates from selected contacts.

Office noise

Office noise can be a huge distraction and can challenge your ability to focus. This can include everything from the sound of the air conditioning or heating system to the whirring of a printer or copy machine. Even the noise of your co-workers’ coffee makers can be a distraction. It’s also common for office visitors to drop off something, or for children to make noise while in the office.

To reduce the impact of workplace noise, try to drown out conversation and music with easily recognizable lyrics. This can be done by experimenting with different types of noise. One option is to place yourself next to traffic noise, for example. Another option is to try a white noise machine.

Noise machine apps can mask background noise and reduce employee distractions. They can also be used to isolate a specific area of the office that you can focus in. Experts say that open workspaces can be distracting, as employees can hear personal phone calls and conversations around them. It can also affect productivity. If you can find a quiet space, you can eliminate distracting noise and increase your productivity.

Social media

The use of social media can be a distraction to employees, especially those who have a demanding schedule. Although the types of social media use differ, these activities all have some common characteristics. These include: preoccupation with the devices, impulsivity, and lack of self-control. The presence of these characteristics suggests that the use of social media is more likely to be a distraction for employees with these characteristics.

Distraction from social media can be minimized using several methods. First, users can choose to ignore the social media cues. They can also choose to stop their task to use social media. However, this can result in a decrease in performance. Using social media during work hours can also cause problems if there is no way to turn off notifications.

Moreover, the use of social media in the workplace can harm the reputation of a business. It can also increase the risk of data leaks and cyber crooks gaining access to organization information. Social media is also addictive. It can leave employees feeling disconnected, anxious, and craving social interaction.

Chatty coworkers

Whether it’s the chatty coworker at the lunch table or the constant interruptions from colleagues in the office, there are ways to limit the impact of chatter. One way is to implement a morning routine that reduces distractions. If a coworker is constantly chatty, try asking them to take a walk with you instead. Using headphones will help you block out their conversation and prevent them from disturbing you.

One of the hardest distractions to banish is chatty coworkers. It is estimated that 90% of face-to-face interactions take place at coworkers’ desks. The closer two coworkers are, the more they will chat. Using headphones or blocking social networking sites from work computers will help. Other methods include hanging a sign indicating that you’re available for meetings during quiet times.