Your employees are your most important asset. However, if they’re not happy with their working environment, chances are they’re not going to be as productive — which is going to have adverse consequences for your business.
Our tip? If you want to drive staff productivity, and boost profits, take a look at your lights. I know, it doesn’t seem like the obvious solution, but hear me out. If you want your staff to reach their full potential, it’s vital to create the right working conditions.
Dim lighting
Light levels have a powerful effect on our mood, our energy levels, and our ability to focus. Poor lighting can be extremely detrimental to staff productivity at work. Dim lighting contributes to feelings of drowsiness and a resulting lack of focus, as it is known to affect circadian rhythms. When light levels are not bright enough to mimic natural daylight, the brain will naturally release melatonin, the “sleep hormone”. Consequently, you might see a lot of stifled yawns from your co-workers throughout the day.
Working in a room with dim lighting causes the eyes to be severely strained, as they must work much harder to carry out even simple tasks. This in turn can lead to long-term eyesight problems, as well as headaches and migraines. These ailments could result in absence from work.
According to a number of sources, the share of accidents attributable to lighting lies between 30% and 50%. The link between dim lighting and the number of accidents in the workplace is clear. If your employee can’t see potential dangers, they can’t take the necessary measures to avoid them.
Harsh lighting
On the contrary, overly harsh lighting can be just as detrimental. Employees exposed to glaring light can be momentarily blinded. This can have particularly devastating consequences in warehouses, for example, where forklift drivers are loading and unloading goods.
Excessively bright, fluorescent lights can also strain the eyes and are a common cause of headaches and migraines.
Not too dark, not too bright…what’s the happy medium?
We may be biased here in UrbanVolt, but many studies have shown that an LED lighting solution is optimal for the workplace — be that in your industrial space, warehouses, or offices. The crisp white light emitted from LED fittings mimics daylight, improving alertness and reducing fatigue by five times.
The end result? A happier, safer and more productive workforce, who can do their job to the best of their ability. That’s good news for your business.
