Why companies must see the light when it comes to their employees’ well-being.
In 2021, employee satisfaction is in the spotlight more than ever. More and more companies are starting to gain a greater appreciation of the strategic advantages that employee satisfaction can bring. In many large organisations, cultivating employee well-being is now viewed as a way of creating a competitive advantage over other organisations. Whilst the conventional methods of attracting talent to an organisation include bonuses, holidays and a long list of fads, today companies are honing in on something much simpler to get the best to join their team: a nice, bright office.
Following almost 18 months of working-from-home, the work environment is very much a hot topic when it comes to employee satisfaction. Whilst some have relished the opportunity to work from the comfort of their own homes, many are desperate to get out of the house, away from distractions and back to their lively office setting.
In particular, a bright and naturally lit office is high amongst the expectations of workforces these days. People do not want to be working in a dull, dark office and those that do are sure to express their discontent at their surroundings, in turn bringing down staff morale and building a sense of resentment against the organisation. So with that in mind, we have laid out 4 benefits of having natural light in the office.
4 benefits of natural light in the office
It improves your quality of sleep.
In a 2014 study , office workers revealed that the more natural light they were exposed to while at work, the better their reported quality of sleep was. This is further explored in a report which revealed that daylight exposure had significant positive impacts on sleep quality. The study compared office workers receiving low amounts of daylight in the morning with those receiving high levels of natural light in the morning. The results of the study showed that not only are higher levels of natural light exposure associated with better quality of sleep, but that reduced sleep onset latency was also reported, meaning that workers managed to fall asleep faster and get the much needed sleep to get them through the day. This is because natural light regulates human physiology and behaviour, particularly that of the circadian rhythm. In other words, by receiving more natural light as opposed to the artificial light found in most offices, your body’s sleep-wake cycle is better regulated, resulting in a better quality of sleep. This improved sleep then results in greater productivity and job satisfaction. The effects of increased daylight exposure are not only beneficial to employees’ overall health, but it could provide organisations with a significant boost in productivity and creativity too.
“Humans spend over 90% of their waking hours indoors, yet light in the built environment is not designed to affect circadian rhythms”
It improves your mood.
Lots of natural light in the office is pleasing as it creates a more visually appealing setting to work in, however, there is a bit more science behind the reasons why natural light can improve the mood and morale of the workforce. When exposed to sunlight, our brain releases serotonin which is known as a mood boosting hormone. Serotonin also helps to make people feel more calm and focused, which could be particularly advantageous in high pressure situations. Having higher levels of natural light is crucial for helping your brain produce serotonin which has several knock-on health benefits. The health and well-being of employees can play a pivotal role in creating a positive organisation culture as well as boosting productivity and harmony in the workplace.
By creating an environment with access to plenty of natural light, employees will feel more valued and it could provide noticeable changes to workplace productivity and satisfaction.
It reduces stress.
In contrast, serotonin levels can fall in the body with lower levels of sunlight. For some, a lack of sunlight can disrupt production of this hormone in the brain. These low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and seasonal affective disorder. The lack of serotonin and sunlight can cause low self-esteem, lack of appetite and problems with stress and anxiety. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects up to 1 in 3 adults in the UK, representing a major influence on productivity and well-being across workforces for large parts of the year.
Though it may sound a little obvious, the fewer artificial products and lighting in the office, the less artificial the environment feels. In addition to natural light, lots of fresh, green elements throughout the workspaces can create a more natural feeling. A more natural surrounding can have profound impacts on well-being. As natural plants have soothing and calming effects, they are commonly used to reduce stress. The list isn’t finished yet either, natural plants are even known for boosting creativity!
In a study called “The Employee Experience”, of 1614 employees surveyed, over two thirds claimed that “a workplace that supported and enhanced their health and well-being would encourage them to accept a job offer (67%) – or to stay at a current job (69%)”. In fact, it was discovered that a more natural setting in the workplace was regarded by employees as more important than other perks such as cafeterias and fitness facilities - although let’s not go undervaluing those just yet!
It’s good for the planet.
By having a natural source of light in the office, there will be less need to power artificial lighting. This is a good tip for lowering everyday costs and at the same time doing your bit for the planet. By going more eco-friendly, you can also improve the image of the organisation and boast a stronger CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) which is becoming an increasingly prevalent factor in consumer engagement and satisfaction.
A more environmentally conscious business model is also fast becoming a tool for recruiting talent. In organisations competing for the most skilled and talented personnel, not following environmentally friendly business practices could be a deciding factor. What’s more, having a bright setting filled with natural, bright elements can help give your workspace a stylish and modern feel. This is another tool in your roster for attracting talent and enhancing the employee experience.
And if by chance you’ve read this and a bright office space sounds appealing, you can check out our office spaces on our website and by making an enquiry here.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031400/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352721817300414
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/seasonal-affective-disorder-1-in-3-people-suffer-from-sad-9814164.html
https://view.com/blog/natural-light-workplace-wellness