Can lighting in a commercial property or a serviced office be used to increase worker satisfaction and motivation and thereby increase productivity?
Experts say yes. We are now going beyond the engineering side of lighting and placing candles on work surfaces. Apparently, experts say, we must look at how light is distributed and where it ends up.
The tricky bit in regards to lighting is proving the benefit and demonstrating the right way to light a space.
But with the possible benefits being so strong, commercial property owners and managers are wise to investigate their options and take the issue seriously.
The lights in a modern serviced office may be out of the way, but we use them to see everything, from the marble floor in the lobby, to the carpet, to the tasks we perform. How a space is lighted shapes our perception of everything we see.
The important thing to remember is that occupants want good lighting and consider it to be very important.
An American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) study determined that 68 percent of employees complain about the light in their offices. And, the 1989 Steelcase Office Environment Index (Louis Harris), showed that workers consider eye strain to be the leading hazard to their health in the office.
A Silicon Valley study found that 79 percent of computer users would like better lighting.
So what is the best thing that we can do to improve the lighting? While putting light on ceilings and walls was found to be an important factor, personal dimming control emerged as the biggest star of the study. This not only made the workers more satisfied, but also resulted in increased motivation throughout the day, a primary productivity metric. In addition, personal dimming control resulted in cumulative energy savings that can also be significant.
So basically, put folk in charge of their lighting and they’re happy.
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