Think about a stressful workday, when you need to submit a vital sales report and tally important survey data. You might come in to work a few hours early, in order to put in more time on these tasks. Now, picture yourself trying to compile that data next to a coworker, who can't stop talking about a strange blind date that she just had. It's difficult for you to concentrate in an environment like that, right?

Work-related noise pollution can result from multiple causes but no matter where it originates, noise lessens your ability to work effectively. Also, noise pollution makes you stressed and can result in depression and other problems.

Having said that, though, a majority of employees have to deal with office noise sooner or later. Often, this noise presents itself in the form of chattering colleagues, who are discussing almost everything except work related issues. If you're in this situation, and you'd like to extract yourself from it, the best approach is to be sympathetic but direct, and to inform them that their discussions are distracting you from your job. Often, your colleagues will apologize and relocate their conversation.

You can politely ask your IT staff to investigate sources of noise if a printer or fax machine near your workspace seems to be malfunctioning. One can assume that the unwanted noise is due to a malfunction, because companies spend millions making these electronics "noise-free". If qualified professionals service the machines, this can help reduce the noise.

Lots of offices are plagued with noises that come from the coffee machine. While the machine is there to provide convenient drinks, it can also provide high levels of background noise, which can distract a person from performing assigned tasks. If this is the case in your office, consider bringing the issue up with a supervisor or a colleague.

It is difficult to work in a noisy office, no matter how the noise originates. Yet there are numerous inexpensive noise reduction systems available for the majority of offices. Panels that absorb sound and extra-tall cubicle walls are useful in reducing both human and mechanical noise. Meeting areas and dining facilities are found in the corners, apart from work stations. Also high in effectiveness are soothing, unobtrusive noise machines, which fall under the heading of "white noise" or "sound masking". The most appropriate time to think about the use of this technique is during the office design, but modern systems can be retrofitted into most work areas with relative ease. The bottom line, though, is to take at least some kind of action to reduce office noise.