How can office lighting affect the productivity of your employees?

A great deal has been written about how to get the most out of employees during their working hours. Some firms offer incentive packages should specific targets be met, whereas others employ motivational speakers to give uplifting talks to the workforce every few weeks. How much attention, though, is focused on office lighting when it comes to gauging levels of employee productivity?

Perhaps not enough, but a survey carried out by the American Society of Interior Design has found that a staggering 68 per cent of employees stated that lighting levels in their workplace were not adequate. That's a pretty high proportion to complain about something that's as taken for granted as lighting, so if you're in charge of an office, or the building itself, it can really pay to ensure that you have quality commercial lighting installed.

At Aesthetic Lighting Solutions, we have a range of products that will suit your needs, and you can even contact our expert team to discuss your options in an informal chat.

Low light, low productivity

According to an infographic designed by Eden Springs, certain kinds of light can hinder productivity for all manner of different reasons. If the lights are too dim, eye strain and drowsiness can quickly take hold. Eye strain occurs because the muscles in your eyes have to work much harder to focus, and this uncomfortable feeling can lead to lower productivity levels in the workplace. A darker office can also cause drowsiness to occur, as the brain believes that low light means that it's team to sleep – again, this can ruin concentration levels. 

Blinded by the lights

That's not to say that the brighter the office, the better. Harsh lighting levels can be hugely detrimental to employee productivity as well, as spending too long in a room that is excessively bright can sometimes trigger headaches – including painful migraines. Of course, if a headache or migraine is severe enough, it can cause the employee to take the rest of the day – or even the week, in extreme cases – off sick, which is an obvious productivity killer. Harsh lighting can also make it markedly more difficult for the eye to focus properly.

What is the lighting quality like in your office?

Striking the right light

The Eden Springs infographic goes on to state that quality office lighting can result in a 16 per cent increase in productivity, and a 24 per cent increase in job satisfaction. Additionally, great commercial lighting resulted in a 52 per cent decrease in office accidents, and a 22 per cent reduction in energy costs.

To find out more about how Aesthetic Lighting Solutions can help with your office lighting design, don't hesitate to get in touch with us today!