Hybrid Work Changed the Way We Work, But Not the Spaces We Work In
Hybrid work is now the norm in many Australian companies. Some people are at the office. Others are working from home. Most teams are juggling a mix of both.
That means more Zoom calls. More flexible hours. More heads-down time, and more collaboration across locations.
But while the way we work has changed, many offices haven’t. Most still rely on old layouts: open-plan floors, hot desks, shared meeting rooms. They were designed for visibility and teamwork, not for video calls, deep focus, or quiet moments to reset.
The result? Workplaces that feel louder, busier, and harder to navigate.
The Noise That Doesn’t Go Away
You’ve probably felt it yourself.
You’re on a call, trying to be switched on and professional, but there’s background chatter. Someone’s laughing. The coffee machine hisses. You find yourself repeating words or muting yourself constantly.
By the time you hang up, you’re drained.
Noise in the workplace isn’t just annoying, it affects how we work and how we feel. According to research by Oxford Economics and Plantronics, one in five employees say office noise hurts their job satisfaction, and one in six say it’s affecting their overall wellness.
And while open-plan offices were meant to support collaboration, many teams are left without access to the quiet spaces they need to think clearly or meet privately. Less than one-third of employees say they have the tools to reduce office noise, and that number is dropping.
The disconnect is real. Executives think their teams are equipped. But most employees disagree.
In the long run, that gap takes a toll on focus, energy, and even health.
One Office, Many Needs
Today’s teams aren’t all doing the same thing.
One person’s writing a report. Another’s pitching to a client on video call. Someone else is prepping for a big presentation.
Some people need quiet. Others need to talk things through.
But if your office only supports one style of working, like loud, open collaboration. It’s not working for everyone.
That’s why more Australian companies are rethinking their layouts. The goal? To give people options.
Open Plan Isn’t Enough Anymore
Open-plan offices were meant to break down silos. And in some ways, they worked. They made teams more visible and communication more casual.
But in today’s hybrid world, they’re starting to backfire.
Lack of privacy. Constant noise. Nowhere to step away or reset. It’s not surprising that more people are reaching for noise-cancelling headphones, or wishing they could work from home instead.
And for leaders trying to bring teams back into the office, that’s a problem.
If people can’t concentrate or feel at ease in the space, they won’t want to be there.
Why Pods Make Sense Now
Soundproof meeting pods offer a simple, flexible fix.
They create small zones of quiet within the spaces you already have. They come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. No expensive renovations. No need to redesign your whole office.
Just a well-designed pod that slots in like a piece of furniture, and instantly gives your team more options.
Need a quiet spot for a video call? A pod is perfect.
Want to write without being interrupted? Step inside.
Need five minutes alone before a pitch or presentation? The silent pod is there for you.
They’re versatile, comfortable, and easy to install. Many Australian businesses are now using meeting pods not just as ‘phone booths,’ but as part of the daily rhythm of work.
A Small Addition. A Big Shift.
The real value of a pod isn’t just in what it blocks out, it’s in what it makes possible.
When people have a place to focus, they do better work. They make sharper decisions. They feel more calm and in control.
It’s not about removing people from the team. It’s about giving them space to reset, then return with clarity.
Over time, those small pockets of calm add up. They help reduce stress, support mental wellbeing, and boost the kind of deep work that makes a difference.
And in a hybrid world, where work is already complex, pods help keep things simple.
So What’s Next?
If your team seems scattered, tired, or distracted, it might not be a motivation issue. It might be the environment.
What would one quiet space change in your office?
Sometimes, that small shift is all it takes to bring focus, flow, and a little bit of calm back into the workday.
Want to learn more?
We’ve helped Australian teams create quieter, more thoughtful spaces, without the need for major fit-outs or long decision cycles.
If you’re curious about how other businesses in Australia are using these pods, you can check out this link here.
Otherwise, feel free to get in touch directly!
