Visibility as Hidden Cost

Think you’re more productive in the office? Research suggests otherwise.

You’re likely gaining visibility just by showing up and appearing busy. However, this unspoken performance expectation often pushes your actual work to after-hours, leaving you catching up at home.

Why? Here is why:

Workers are interrupted up to 275 times a day — A Microsoft report highlights the numerous productivity hurdles faced by office workers.

Workers interrupted 275 times a day — Research by Microsoft reveals that the average office worker is distracted every two minutes.

Got a second? Study shows workers are interrupted up to 275 times a day — This study explores the frequency and impact of workplace interruptions.

Tech Workers Facing 18 Interruptions per Day — A focus on tech workers, who experience an average of 18 interruptions daily.

Visibility has become a new challenge, particularly emphasized with the rise of Work From Home arrangements. The traditional notion of building trust through “being seen working” is now being tested as employees are brought back to the office for the sake of “visible showmanship.” Bear in mind, this act may be performed completely subconsciously where employees are naturally “checking in” the office because they had been given a rather legitimate brief to do so. Turning office presence into a display of visible performance marks a shift in how trust and productivity are understood and evaluated in this evolving way of working.

Visibility has become an essential aspect of today’s workplace, yet employees often aren’t compensated for the performative effort it requires, nor is this challenge openly discussed within organizations. Addressing this issue would mean confronting the unpaid time spent convincing decision-makers — who often lack a full perspective — of the value and productivity employees consistently bring.

Despite advancements like flexible work policies and open-plan offices, we’ve inadvertently created an environment of constant, low-level visibility chaos. The consequences? Reduced focus, increased stress, and a noticeable decline in creativity and productivity.

If you’ve ever felt like the noise around you drowns out your ability to think clearly, you’re not alone. Research from The Lancet Group shows that constant noise elevates stress levels and disrupts deep, meaningful work. Meanwhile, a study from Harvard Business Review reveals that noise doesn’t just distract momentarily — it actually impairs cognitive function and stifles creativity.

Take my team, for example. Every Wednesday, when we all gather in the office, much of the day is spent exchanging greetings, updates, and catching up on what’s missed during remote work. While this energy fosters team bonding, it often results in nearly three hours of lost productivity for each of our twelve team members.

Thats on top of the average 275 per day distractions caused by external factors.

Now compound that with general hot desk related issues where no one specifically cares for the workstation itself: missing mouse pad, broken mouse, low chair, computer does not plug in, audio is dead etc.

Nope you no longer come to work. You can’t. You come to check in.

But this is not where the hidden cost of “showing up” in the office ends.

The Hidden Costs of Noise at Work

When workplaces lack opportunities for quiet focus, the consequences extend far beyond momentary distraction. Here’s how noise is silently undermining organizations and their people:

• Higher Stress Levels

Research consistently shows that constant noise triggers stress responses in the body. Overextended periods, this can contribute to chronic fatigue and burnout, leaving employees feeling drained and disengaged.

Here are some articles that explore the impact of constant noise on stress, chronic fatigue, and burnout:

Noise and mental health: evidence, mechanisms, … — This article discusses how chronic noise stress can impair adaptation, increase stress vulnerability, and reduce resistance to stress.

Acute stress effects of impulsive noise during mental work — Research highlights how impulsive noise raises cortisol levels, increases workload, and reduces energy, contributing to stress and fatigue.

How Noise Pollution Might Cause Increased Stress Levels — This piece explains how chronic noise stress can lead to elevated blood pressure, impaired cognitive functioning, and other health issues.

Occupational Noise Exposure — Overview — OSHA provides guidelines on noise exposure and its effects, emphasizing the need for hearing conservation programs in noisy workplaces.

Association between residential noise exposure and … — This study links long-term noise exposure to poor sleep and increased burnout, particularly in environments like hospitals.

• Impaired Cognitive Performance

Noise doesn’t just sideline your thoughts; it actively diminishes your cognitive capacity. Studies by The Lancet reveal that noisy environments make it harder to process information, make decisions, or solve problems effectively.

Here are some articles and studies that provide examples and statistics on how noise impairs cognitive capacity:

• Noise pollution: more attention is needed — This article discusses the long-term impacts of noise pollution on human health, including cognitive impairments caused by chronic noise exposure.
• Aircraft and road traffic noise and children’s cognition — A study highlighting how chronic environmental stressors like aircraft noise can impair cognitive development in children, particularly in reading comprehension.
• Noise pollution and human cognition: An updated systematic review — This systematic review synthesizes evidence showing that environmental noise negatively impacts human cognition, including reading comprehension and decision-making abilities.

• Reduced Creativity

Creativity requires space to breathe, time to linger with ideas, and moments of undisturbed clarity. But with open-concept spaces and always-on communication tools, employees are left scrambling to find even a few minutes of uninterrupted thought.

Here are some articles and studies that explore how noise impacts creativity:

• How The Environment Impacts Creative Thinking — This article discusses research by Juliet Zhu, which found that moderate noise levels (around 70–80 dB) can enhance creativity by promoting “disfluency,” a state that encourages out-of-the-box thinking. However, excessive noise disrupts this balance, hindering creative processes.
• Affects of Workspace Noise on Creativity and Productivity — This piece highlights how background noise, such as that in coffee shops, can boost creativity, while loud or disruptive noises in offices often reduce productivity and creative output.
• The Impact of Office Noise on Workforce Productivity — A study showing that 70% of UK employees feel less creative in noisy office environments, with similar trends observed in the US and Australia. It emphasizes the need for quiet spaces to foster creativity and focus.

Back to you. Your thoughts on the matter?

Your thoughts on the matter?

Truly Yours,

Narghiza Ergashova

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Narghiza Ergashova is a highly skilled finance executive based in Australia with extensive experience across industries like property, mining, chemicals, and infrastructure. She is recognized for her expertise in managing complex portfolios, building strong stakeholder relationships, and driving exceptional business performance.

As a thought leader, Narghiza regularly shares valuable insights on leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Through her Medium articles, she covers key topics such as employee engagement, effective leadership strategies, and overcoming business challenges. Her work resonates with professionals looking for actionable advice and inspiration to succeed in both their careers and personal lives.

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In May 2025 Narghiza Ergashova released her debut autobiography called Curly Clix Convictions . The book delves into Narghiza's journey as a professional, entrepreneur, and wife and a mother. You can visit her biography by clicking the link below.