How we work has been changed forever. Giving employees the freedom to choose a work from home (WFH) model or split their time between the office and home/remote working has become the new norm for businesses, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. According to Poly Research’s latest ‘Recruit, Retain and Grow’ study, 56% of employers surveyed believe they will lose new and existing employees if they don’t
adapt to hybrid working.
With the global pandemic accelerating this shift, companies have been investing in technology to provide their employees with the tools and environment they need to feel supported and be productive, regardless of where they’re working. The results have been positive, with 85% of companies surveyed in the same study reporting that the transition to hybrid working has led to an increase in productivity.
One potential contributor to this reported increase in productivity is the culture of trust and flexibility that comes with hybrid working and empowers employees to fit their working schedule around their lives – rather than vice versa – helping them to create a greater work/life balance.
While productivity appears to be positively impacted by the cultivation of people-focused work policies, a growing body of research also points towards the link between air quality (both indoor and outdoor) and cognitive function. According to a September 2021 study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, scientists found that air pollution has an impact on our brain, and that poor indoor air quality, as well as low ventilation rates, has a much more significant effect on health and productivity than previously understood.
While it has long been agreed that strategies to ventilate air play a key role in reducing the transmission of infectious diseases indoors, the research found that these strategies are also required to support the cognitive function and productivity of workers. According to Joseph Allen, associate professor of Exposure Assessment Science, director of the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program and senior author of the study, the growing evidence illustrates that “healthy buildings should be foundational to public health and business strategy moving forward.”
A joint study by Harvard University and Syracuse University also found that employees who carried out their tasks under a ‘green environment’ performed around 60% better in cognitive tasks than the employees who were tested in a standard office environment, indicating that clean indoor air is an important factor to consider, whatever the workplace.
Aside from the impact on cognitive function, indoor air pollution has also been shown to have implications on our health. A multitude of research, such as by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has found correlations between health issues including eye irritation, fatigue and dizziness, as well as healthy air quality directly contributing to lower productivity among employees. If not addressed, these types of problems could lead to financial loss for a company related to increased employee sick leave.
Luckily there are effective precautionary measures which can be established within every home and office to help improve indoor air and enhance the working environment. Experts here point out the key tips for clean indoor air for better health and productivity:
- Start by checking the air quality either by purchasing a monitor or having a professional conduct test to determine the air condition in every building area. Regularly checking for mould is also key.
- The best defence against indoor air pollution is to try to prevent pollutants from getting “trapped” indoors. A well-ventilated space allows for constant airflow which is the foundation for clean indoor air. Shutting off the AC and opening windows is an easy starting point. If this is not an option, ensuring the AC vents and filters are cleaned regularly is also effective and should be done as a part of standard building maintenance.
- Daily cleaning practices can also help to reduce air pollution, such as vacuuming, dusting and sanitising. If your home or office is prone to indoor air pollution, an air purifier can be helpful to remove harmful particles and improve your air quality. In a home that mainly has particle pollutants, such as exhausts, dust, and bacteria, a particle filter is recommended.
In a home or office that has heavy gaseous pollutants, such as VOCs and smoke, a SmokeStop™ filter is recommended. Several units also offer combination filters that are effective for particles,
VOCs and gases. - Invest in placing plants throughout the office space as plants can absorb toxins and contribute to increased oxygen levels, which allows you to breathe more easily.
As recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is our basic right to be able to breathe clean air. Clean air empowers us to live our lives to the fullest. Taking the time to ensure we are doing what we can to provide it for our children, families, co-workers and employees which leads to better productivity and success overall. By implementing easy yet effective solutions, office need to create an environment which promotes long-term benefits in all aspects and ensures air quality is a priority.