Une personne au téléphone dans une cabine acoustique Work With Island Solo Light

Office confidentiality: solutions for your workspace

New ways of working, like flex office and open-plan layouts, create major challenges for guaranteeing confidentiality at work, particularly for client calls, HR interviews or strategic meetings.
‍
This guide presents practical solutions for creating effective private spaces, with their acoustic performance, costs and installation requirements. Drawing on our experience fitting out more than 4,000 companies, we analyse the most effective solutions on the market.

In this page

Reserve quiet spaces

To remember

An underestimated issue

68% of employees in open-plan offices say noise hurts their focus. Confidentiality isn't a comfort, it's a working condition.

Acoustic pods, the reference solution

With 28.7 to 31.1 dB of certified ISO 23351-1 noise reduction, they create a genuinely private space with no construction work, in under an hour.

Solutions for every budget

Movable partitions, acoustic panels, window film: several approaches exist side by side. The best results come from combining them based on use and the constraints of the space.

Visual and data privacy

Blocking sound isn't enough. Screen privacy film, window film and sound masking round out the approach, especially to meet GDPR requirements.

Why office confidentiality has become a major issue

Evolving workspaces and new challenges

The spread of flex office and the growing number of open-plan offices are radically transforming the workplace. Hybrid remote work further amplifies these shifts, creating new confidentiality needs.

At Qonto, the shift to flex office required creating spaces dedicated to confidential calls. "We needed a supplier who could handle production and delivery in a very short time, and who was very solid on logistics," says Yannick Mangin, Workplace Manager at Qonto.

‍

These new workspaces raise five major challenges:

Constant interruptions from nearby conversations
Lack of privacy for sensitive conversations
Trouble concentrating in a noisy environment
Insufficient data protection during calls
Acoustic stress affecting employee wellbeing

‍

Impact on productivity and wellbeing

Lack of privacy generates considerable stress for employees in the workplace. Sales teams in particular need isolated spaces for their negotiations, where data protection and privacy are essential.

According to a 2024 IFOP study on workplace wellbeing, 68% of employees say noise hurts their focus. Tasks that require concentration become difficult to carry out in these open environments, directly affecting overall productivity.

‍

Acoustic pods: a solution for confidentiality

Acoustic performance and sound insulation

Privacy pods are the most effective solution for guaranteeing sound insulation. These pods, certified under ISO 23351-1:2020 Category A or B (depending on the model), deliver measured noise reduction of -28.7 to -31.1 dB depending on the model, equivalent to going from a noisy environment to a silent office.

This exceptional acoustic performance makes it possible to create genuine individual workspaces right in the middle of open-plan offices. The materials used combine acoustic effectiveness with a modern look.

‍

Types of pods for different needs

The market offers different pod formats suited to specific uses:

Type

Island Solo

Island Desk

Island Duo

Island Quattro

Capacity

1 person

2 people

4 people

Insulation

30.2 dB

31.1 dB

28.7 dB

29.8 dB

Indicative price excl. VAT

€3,990

€4,790

€7,990

€9,990

Ideal use

Confidential calls

Extended work

Interviews, meetings

Strategic meetings

We've equipped more than 4,000 companies with these solutions, demonstrating their effectiveness in every type of professional environment. Every model comes fully equipped: automatic lighting, silent ventilation, power and network connectivity.

‍

Installation and fitting into the space

Fitting out offices with acoustic pods requires no major construction work. Installation takes under 1 hour, with adjustable feet for any type of flooring. This flexibility allows for smooth, adaptable integration into the workplace.

Modern pods preserve natural light thanks to their glazed walls, avoiding the "bunker" effect often feared in workspaces.

‍

Partitions and dividers: affordable, modular solutions

Movable partitions and how effective they are

Movable partitions are an accessible alternative for fitting out a workspace. Their flexibility, low cost and quick installation make them a popular choice for companies with tighter budgets.

1.8 m glazed partitions create semi-private zones while still letting light through. Real-world feedback shows a 40% reduction in interruptions with these fit-outs.

The four main types of partition offer different levels of privacy:

Solid partitions: maximum privacy, total visual isolation
Semi-glazed partitions: a balance between privacy and light
Modular partitions: adaptable to evolving needs
Acoustic partitions: focused on noise reduction

‍

Window film and privacy film

Privacy window film preserves light while guaranteeing visual privacy. These low-cost solutions instantly turn glazed meeting rooms into private spaces.

Electric switchable privacy film for modular meeting rooms is the most recent innovation. According to the CNIL's guide on visual data protection, these systems make an effective contribution to data protection in the workplace.

‍

Acoustic fit-out: panels and insulating materials

Wall and ceiling acoustic panels

Wall and ceiling acoustic panels effectively round out overall sound insulation. These sound-absorption solutions combine aesthetics and performance, with a permanent installation that transforms the acoustics of a workspace.

Recycled-fibre panels reduce reverberation by 60%, creating a calmer environment for focus. These insulating materials blend harmoniously into any style of fit-out.

‍

Flooring and acoustic furniture

A comprehensive approach to office fit-out includes flooring and acoustic furniture. This integrated strategy optimises the acoustic performance of the whole space.

Acoustic carpet combined with absorbent furniture creates a hushed environment, particularly valued in flex-office settings. This measurable solution significantly improves acoustic comfort.

‍

Digital technology for data privacy

Screen privacy film and visual protection

Data privacy isn't only about acoustics. Screen privacy film and visual protection ensure that displayed information stays confidential, contributing to GDPR compliance.

Polarising film limits the viewing angle to 30°, preventing third parties from reading sensitive information. This physical security layer complements traditional digital safeguards.

‍

Audio solutions against eavesdropping

Anti-eavesdropping audio solutions include sound masking, audio jammers and creating quiet zones. These white-noise systems effectively mask sensitive conversations, keeping confidential activities discreet.

According to guidance from ANSSI (the French national cybersecurity agency), these systems are an essential complement to IT security in sensitive environments.

‍

Regulation and compliance: legal obligations

GDPR and personal data protection

The GDPR imposes strict confidentiality obligations, with penalties that can reach 4% of annual revenue. Technical data-protection measures necessarily include the physical layout of a space.

Article 32 of the GDPR requires appropriate technical measures to guarantee the security of personal data, including protection against accidental eavesdropping.

‍

Acoustic standards in the workplace

French Decree No. 2006-892 on health and safety requirements for workers exposed to noise-related risks sets out the legal obligations. ISO standards and INRS guidance specify the thresholds to meet.

These acoustic standards apply to every workplace, making it mandatory to factor in acoustic comfort when fitting out an office.

‍

Costs and return on investment

Comparing costs by solution

The upfront investment varies considerably depending on the solution chosen:

Solution

Acoustic pods

Partitions

Acoustic panels

Initial cost

€3,990-9,990 excl. VAT

€200-800/m²

€50-150/m²

Installation

Included

€100-200/m²

€30-80/m²

Annual maintenance

€20-50/m²

€10-20/m²

These installation and maintenance costs should be analysed over several years to assess total cost of ownership.

‍

Work With Island supports your confidentiality project

Work With Island offers a full range of certified acoustic pods to guarantee confidentiality at work.

Our 100% French manufacturing in the Vendée region, with B Corp certification, uses eco-responsible materials: PEFC wood and Métisse® recycled insulation. This responsible approach is part of our company values.

Our full service includes delivery in under 8 weeks anywhere in Europe, installation in under 1 hour with no construction work, and a 100-day trial with a 5-year warranty.

Need effective private spaces in your office? Contact Work With Island for a custom quote and discover our certified acoustic pods. Free 100-day trial.

Need effective private spaces in your office?

Contact Work With Island for a custom quote and discover our certified acoustic pods. Free 100-day trial.

EUR

Frequently asked questions

How do you create a private space in the office?

Several solutions exist depending on your budget and constraints. Acoustic pods offer the best insulation (-28.7 to -31.1 dB of reduction), movable partitions allow for a modular approach, and acoustic panels round out the fit-out. The key is to combine sound and visual insulation. Start by assessing your specific needs: confidential calls, strategic meetings or focused work.

What are the best confidentiality solutions for an office?

Acoustic pods certified under ISO 23351-1:2020 Category A remain the reference for optimal confidentiality. Glazed partitions with privacy film offer a good cost-to-effectiveness balance. For tighter budgets, acoustic panels and privacy film are a good first step. The right choice depends on your type of activity and the sensitivity of the information handled.

How do you ensure confidentiality in an open-plan office?

Open-plan offices need a multi-layer approach: dedicated call zones (pods or alcoves), sound masking through absorbent materials, and clear usage guidelines. Create retreat spaces for sensitive conversations and raise awareness of best practices among your teams. The fit-out needs to offer alternatives to the shared space.

How much does it cost to install a privacy pod?

Prices range from €3,990 excl. VAT for an individual pod to €9,990 excl. VAT for a 4-person model, installation included. This cost typically includes delivery, assembly and the warranty.

What's the difference between sound insulation and acoustic absorption?

Sound insulation stops sound transferring between two spaces (the principle behind pods), while acoustic absorption reduces reverberation within a single space (wall panels). For confidentiality, insulation comes first, since it stops conversations being heard from outside. Absorption rounds out the approach by improving overall acoustic comfort.

Don't acoustic pods risk creating a sense of isolation?

Quite the opposite: they free the shared space from private conversations and let everyone choose their level of interaction. Modern models include glazed walls to maintain light and visual connection. The goal is to complement the open-plan office, not replace it. User feedback shows an improvement in both wellbeing and effectiveness.