What if you could boost staff productivity by as much as 60%? The solution might be as easy as changing a light bulb or opening a window.
The American Society of Interior Designers discovered that the interior of the workplace is one of the top three factors that affects employee performance and job satisfaction. Numerous surveys have shown that employees tend to perform significantly better in work environments that are well-lit, spacious, comfortable, and visually appealing.
The table below highlights key findings from various studies on office environments:
Increase in productivity (%) | Achieved By: |
61% | Good ventilation |
17.5% | Comfortable chairs |
9-50% | Multiple computer screens |
5-15% | Introducing air conditioning |
2% | Optimized daylight exposure |
It's important to remember that measuring office workers' productivity is more complex than assessing performance in traditional manufacturing industries. Many surveys depend on individuals' subjective perceptions of how they feel and how well they believe they are performing.
Interestingly, while the statistics above indicate only a 2% improvement with exposure to natural light, there is a general consensus that lighting is the key environmental factor influencing productivity.
Natural light through windows
Workers perform far better if they can take advantage of natural light. This is especially true in winter when vitamin D levels tend to fall, weakening the immune system.
In office buildings with limited windows, facilities managers can install lighting that mimics daylight or even provide SAD lamps. One study suggests that blue-enriched light can help reduce fatigue while boosting both mood and work performance. Overhead lighting should be minimized, as it can contribute to migraines and eye strain. Additionally, reorganizing the office layout to ensure more employees have access to natural light may also be beneficial.
Employers have duties under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 to make sure lighting provided is adequate and provides protection against glare, reflection and any other visual interference. It is important to achieve the right quality of light: dim lighting can induce drowsiness while harsh lighting causes eye strain. Fluorescent lights make it more difficult for the eyes to focus.
Comfortable seating
People will work more effectively if they are provided with comfortable, ergonomically designed furniture, and indeed studies have found that employees’ productivity can be increased by 17.5% simply by providing them with the right chair and training. Well-designed furniture not only enhances comfort but also reduces the risk of back pain and work-related upper limb disorders.
The office layout also plays a significant role in productivity as well
Employees report lower stress levels when desks are well-spaced and the office appears organized and uncluttered. Effective space planning can also integrate shared desks for collaboration and private areas for focused work. Most employers now recognize the importance of breaks and provide areas for relaxation, socializing, and dining. In fact, one in five office workers believe having a dedicated space to unwind boosts their productivity.
Ideal office temperate
Maintaining a comfortable workplace temperature offers tangible business benefits, with productivity dropping by 2% for each degree above 25°C.
While many managers wonder about legal temperature limits, UK law does not specify maximum or minimum workplace temperatures. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 simply require employers to ensure a “reasonable” temperature. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) recommends a minimum of 16°C, or 13°C for heavy physical work, while the optimal indoor range is generally 21–23°C.
High-temperature limits are not set due to challenges in industries like glassworks, but the TUC advocates for a legal maximum of 30°C (or **27°C for strenuous work). The World Health Organization suggests 24°C as the upper limit for comfort.
Employers should account for vulnerable employees (e.g., pregnant women, older workers, or those with disabilities) during health and safety risk assessments. Thermal comfort involves more than temperature, with humidity, air movement, and clothing playing key roles. Beyond improving heating and cooling systems, small changes like allowing casual attire on hot days can enhance comfort and productivity.
Clean & Fresh air
Good air quality significantly boosts office productivity. Research shows that introducing air conditioning improves productivity by 5–15%, according to Lorsch and Abdou (1994), while a study by Harvard and Syracuse Universities found that well-ventilated offices increased productivity by 61% and cognitive task performance by 27%.
Nearly 70% of office workers report that poor air quality negatively impacts their productivity and well-being, with one-third expressing health concerns, according to a 2016 BESA survey. Fresh air circulation helps deliver oxygen to the brain, enhancing focus and efficiency.
Compliance with regulations like COSHH 2002 protects employees from hazardous substances, but lower-level exposure to contaminants like cleaning products, dust, or polluted outdoor air remains a concern. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to "sick building syndrome," though its effects can be difficult to separate from workplace stress or fatigue.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require adequate ventilation in enclosed workplaces, while Building Regulations (Part F) establish standards for fresh air flow and limit air pollutants like volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide. Employers should ensure well-maintained ventilation systems to promote employee health and productivity.
Music & Silence
Office workers often cite "the ability to concentrate without noise and distractions" as one of the most crucial aspects of their work environment. Noise is a subjective matter, and individuals have varying tolerance levels. Some studies suggest that productivity improves and errors decrease when sound is minimized, while others indicate that music can enhance productivity.
A survey by Music Works found that 65% of small and medium-sized business owners believe music boosts employee productivity, and 40% think it can improve sales or business outcomes. Clearly, the impact depends on the nature of the work.
While open-plan offices are ideal for networking and socializing, they can also create distractions due to ambient noise from conversations, phones, and office equipment, making it hard to focus on demanding tasks. Various solutions have been implemented, including noise-cancelling headphones, private cubicles, and “white noise” to mask distractions. Noise-absorbing floor or wall coverings and screens offer additional practical remedies. If phone noise is an issue, replacing ringtones with buzzers or lights could also help reduce disruption.
In conclusion, office environment wellbeing requires an approach that takes into account various environmental factors such as lighting, seating, temperature and air quality. Even small adjustments can lead to significant improvements in employee performance and satisfaction.
Here at Base Solutions we understand the importance of employee health, wellbeing and productivity. We offer a range of courses designed to educate and help implement optimal working conditions for both you and your employees.
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