Nature-Starved Offices are Affecting the Health and Productivity of Employees

News provided by

Interface

24 Oct, 2014, 10:00 GMT

LONDON, October 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Working in environments with natural elements lead to an 8% increase in productivity and 13% higher level of well-being says EMEA study 

The Human Spaces Report, commissioned by global modular flooring experts, Interface, and led by Organisational Psychologist Professor Sir Cary Cooper, has revealed EMEA employees who work in environments with natural elements (such as greenery and sunlight) report a 13% higher level of well-being and are 8% more productive overall.

The academic study of 3600 EMEA office workers found:

  • 42% have no natural light in their workspace
  • 55% don't have access to any greenery
  • 7% have no window in their workspace
  • 15% of Spanish workers had no window and were the most stressed workforce
  • Germany and Denmark reported the least number of workers with no windows (2% and 3% respectively), and had the happiest workforces

Interaction with nature is becoming increasingly limited - 63% of office workers are now based in a town or city centre and spend on average 34 hours per week in the office. Yet, the research found workers have an inherent affinity to elements that reflect nature.

OFFICE WORKERS DESIGN WISH-LIST 

The top five natural elements on EMEA office workers' wish-lists:

  1. Natural light
  2. Quiet working space
  3. A view of the sea
  4. Live indoor plants
  5. Bright colours

Commenting on the research findings, Professor Sir Cary Cooper said:   "The work environment has always been recognised as essential to employee well-being and performance but often purely as a 'hygiene factor'. The Human Spaces report clearly illustrates the connection between the impact of working environments and productivity. It's no coincidence that the most modern employers now take a new view, designing environments to help people thrive, collaborate and be creative. Being connected to nature and the outside world, biophilic design, to give it its real name, is a big part of that."

Commenting on office design, Mandy Leeming, Design and Development Manager (UK) at Interface, said: "When it comes to creating office spaces that positively impact health, performance and concentration, it's about interpreting the nuances of nature that we subconsciously respond to, such as colours and textures. Ultimately improving the wellbeing, productivity and creativity of the workforce is key to the success of market leading organisations."

For more information visit http://www.humanspaces.com or @human_spaces