The latest trends indicate that many companies are spending large amounts of money on employee wellness programs, hoping that these initiatives will increase productivity and job satisfaction. However, studies suggest that these efforts often fail to achieve the expected results. Instead of focusing on expensive benefits that are not always appreciated, employees prefer more basic improvements, such as better lighting in their workspaces.
A study by Future Workplace and View, which surveyed 1,601 workers in North America, revealed that comfortable light and air quality are the most influential factors in employee performance, happiness and well-being. Surprisingly, amenities such as office gyms and technological health tools were considered the least important.
Comfortable light: a key factor for well-being and productivity
Personalised overhead lighting, desk lighting, and the levels of natural light coming in stand out as crucial elements for employee well-being. More than half of respondents said lighting significantly influences their performance and job satisfaction.
The benefits of a well-lit work environment are:
- Employees are more focused and energised when working in well-lit spaces.
- Workers are more likely to stay with companies that prioritise their environmental well-being.
- A healthy, well-lit work environment is a key factor in attracting talented candidates.
Reorient investments: prioritise comfortable light
It’s time for companies to reconsider how they allocate their wellness budget. Research shows that investing in improvements like comfortable light has a much more significant impact than other, less-demanded initiatives. To start, companies can:
- Reduce spending on superfluous benefits: Instead of investing in programs that few employees use, companies should focus on improving the basic work environment, starting with lighting.
- Encourage personalisation of the workspace: Allowing employees to adjust lighting and other aspects of their environment to their preferences can greatly improve their satisfaction and productivity.
- Take a holistic view of well-being: Well-being in the workplace is not limited to physical health. It also encompasses emotional and environmental well-being, both of which are influenced by factors such as lighting.
Companies should consider innovative solutions like those offered by KUMUX to further enhance the quality of lighting in workspaces. KUMUX provides intelligent lighting systems that simulate natural light by dynamically adjusting the colour temperature and intensity throughout the day. This technology replicates the natural light cycle and allows for customisation based on needs.
Companies that prioritise comfortable light and innovative lighting solutions like those from KUMUX will improve employee satisfaction and increase productivity and talent retention. Instead of following the latest fads in wellness programs, organisations should listen to their employees and invest in what matters.
