We spend a lot of our daily time in our workplace. So our workplaces must be well-kept and offer a comfortable space for us to work. In the same manner, workplace ventilation is also important. There should be adequate ventilation – ventilation in an enclosed or confined area should be enough to avert buildup of toxic gases. Making sure these minimum standards are followed, makes the workplace a safe place.
Do you know that fresh air in the office is directly proportional to better performance at work? Joseph G. Allen, director of healthy building programs at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health says that air quality in offices affects the productivity and performance of the employees. He has done research that proves the relationship between ventilation and a worker's ability to process information, make strategic decisions, and respond to crises.
Fresh air is crucial to a healthy building. It keeps away the sick syndrome that is usually associated with buildings that have limited ventilation and sealed windows. The Sick Syndrome is a feeling of a headache, chest tightening, and eye irritation, and coughing.
A lot of people prefer taking a walk and soaking themselves in natural light when looking for ideas or brainstorming. The availability of natural light in the office also increases the chances of better concentration and productivity improvement.
Interestingly, the presence of adequate natural light is better for worker's health, and performance is backed by science as well. Several studies over the period have shown that workers observe an increase in satisfaction and productivity improvement with better exposure to natural light.
A 2017 study by the National sleep foundation in its Sleep Health journal found out that workers exposed to natural light in the day reported better sleep quality in comparison with those that didn't receive exposure to natural light in the day.
There are other ways through which you can maximize the benefits of natural light in the office. You can add indoor plants and fountains to make the space look calmer, hence improving employee satisfaction. Another trick is to paint naturally light colors on the walls like green, blue, and yellow. It will be a great help in brightening up space and will also help reflect light throughout the space.
Better ventilation and the presence of windows means better air quality in the offices as well. It's also critical to worker's health and reduces the chances of building symptoms of the sick syndrome. Better air quality also means lesser chances of infections and transmission of those infections as well.
It is vital for a building designed as a workplace to meet all the health standards and guidelines issued by the government. It works not only in favor of the organization (cue: better work quality) but also works in favor of the employees (better health and performance) as well.
Here at Number 28 we have fully self contained units. You share your office space with only your colleages. There are large windows on all of our suits, letting in natural light from the square. These are also able to be opened, allowing for fresh air to flow into the room.