Poor Office Air Quality May Deter Employees from Returning to Work, Study Finds
A new survey indicates that nearly two-thirds of employees would prefer improved office air quality over perks like free food. Poor air quality also significantly impacts productivity and well-being, according to the findings.
Poor indoor air quality may be a significant factor deterring employees from returning to the office, even when companies offer incentives such as free food and other amenities. A survey of 750 non-remote U.S. workers by GPS Air found that 67% of employees would be more willing to work in-person if their companies committed to improving workplace air quality and communicated the steps taken.
This finding suggests a shift in employee priorities, moving beyond concerns like remote work flexibility or salary. Instead, workers are increasingly focused on their physical well-being within the office environment. Issues with ventilation and air purity are now seen as directly impacting employee health and their overall sentiment towards their employer and workplace.
According to the GPS Air study, 53% of respondents noted that temperature and air flow were the first things they noticed upon entering the office, influencing their feelings for the rest of the day. Furthermore, 57% of participants reported that air quality either negatively or positively influenced their productivity, ranking it above other bothersome factors like noise and tidiness.
While the issue of office air quality initially gained attention through social media, with users claiming it affected their appearance (e.g., greasy hair, pale skin), the GPS Air study highlights that employees are primarily concerned with the health consequences and how ambient oxygen quality shapes their perception of the office and their employer. Businesses aiming to encourage a return to the office may need to address these air quality concerns.