Conference calls, internet, emails, smoke breaks, gossip sessions and meetings are all known as productivity killers inside the workplace. However, besides these commonly known hindrances, temperature also has a massive role to play in dictating productivity and focus levels inside the workplace.
A new study on this subject matter has found out that hot weather can lead to significant economic losses including loss in productivity, because employees aren’t as productive as they used to be. This means that even adaptation methods such as air conditioning do not go as far ahead to solve these problems.
Anyone who has worked in a workplace would be well versed with workplace temperature issues. We all go through days when the air conditioning just isn’t cooling the working area correctly. There are certain frustrations associated with a rise in temperature, and the pesky annoyance can impact overall productivity.
In this article we look to further elaborate on the impact of temperature on workplace productivity. We also study the brain processes behind this lack of productivity and why rising temperature is such a deterrent for us.
Studying Hot Versus Cold
Temperature is supposed to have a massive impact on how focused our brain is, and how we try to remain motivated while working. When there are issues with the temperature inside the workplace, or when the temperature isn’t near your liking, the brain would be preoccupied with monitoring body temperature at all times. The ideal temperature for an employee to work in is marked between 69.8 degrees to 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Just like we are unable to work when the temperature increases beyond a certain limit, it is also hard to focus on work when temperature is extremely cold. A study in this regard found out that controlling temperature from warm to cold can significantly help improve worker performance. A slight change in temperature towards the optimal average range can decrease typing mistakes made by workers and can also increase the total output by a whopping 150 percent.
An overly heated workplace can be a nuisance to work in, as it can leave employees irritable, struggling to concentrate, fatigued and tired.
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Startups and small businesses often keep a stringent check on air conditional heating and cooling to be frugal and cut down on expenses. The meager savings made in the energy bills here can eventually be lost in productivity. Hence the British penny they save here is nothing in front of the pound they lose in productivity. Temperature is a primary workplace concern for employees, which is why it serves you best to invest heavily on keeping the right temperature inside your workplace.
We at JS Benefits Group have worked with numerous clients to discuss the importance of maintaining the right temperature inside your workplace. You can get in touch with JS Benefits Group immediately to discuss and devise a policy.
