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Measuring the Impact of Office Light on Employee Performance and Wellbeing
Problem
Poor lighting can significantly affect the health of people at work, causing symptoms like eyestrain and headaches, and is also linked to Sick Building Syndrome in new and refurbished buildings. Symptoms of this include headaches, lethargy, irritability, and poor concentration (CIBSE). The benefits of circadian lighting design claim to include faster cognitive processing, increased
alertness, improved mood, and productivity, to mention a few. Our client wanted to test the impact of circadian lighting on their employees, exploring if implementing circadian lighting would be an effective, evidence-based strategy to improve employee cognitive performance, productivity, and wellbeing, thereby transforming their workplace experience.
Current and potential risks:
- Poor lighting at work can represent a significant cost to business in the form of increased absenteeism, reduced staff efficiency, and productivity, impacting workplace performance and retention.
- Without objective, evidence-based insights, the client is unaware of the impact that circadian lighting may have on employee performance, which could lead to a poor workplace experience and ineffective workspace solutions.
- Unnecessary spending due to incorrect prioritisation of circadian lighting over other methods.
Method
In order to address this question, we gathered employee experience, wellbeing, and performance data from over 50 employees, using a people-centric and evidence-based approach.
We collected a variety of data sources over a two-week sprint period, observing employees’ wellbeing and performance both in the office and remotely, which aligns with hybrid work strategies.
Findings
- There was a 32% improvement in decision-making when working within an area of circadian lighting and a 7% improvement in overall cognitive performance when working under “cool lighting,” demonstrating the positive impact on workplace performance.
- Employees reported 6% lower stress levels when working in circadian lighting, with resting heart rates generally lower in warm light settings, showcasing the benefits of innovative lighting solutions.
- 78% of employees preferred circadian lighting in the testing space vs. the control group, indicating strong support for this workplace design element.
Actions
⭕ Provide objective data to support the real estate team’s decision to roll out circadian lighting across the wider portfolio, contributing to effective corporate real estate strategies.
⭕ Continue to work with the real estate team to investigate the most suitable circadian lighting settings and preferences across sites, fostering innovation in workplace design.
Value
- This study provided a quick win, validating that circadian lighting was worth investing in and building into portfolio workplace standards. This aligns with our workplace consultancy approach to delivering impactful solutions.
- Implemented change saw genuine benefits to employee performance and wellbeing, enhancing workplace culture and satisfaction.
Key Takeaways
The findings and actions delivered through this project allowed the client to assess the impact of circadian lighting on employee
cognitive performance and wellbeing. The client was able to use our data-driven insights to better support their workforce by applying changes that:
- Increase employee performance
- Reduce stress levels
- Support employee experience and satisfaction within the office
Explore more real life examples in our solutions series and discover how our unique experience across elite sport, academic research and the corporate landscape, combined with our scientific and data-driven approach, puts us in a unique position to identify opportunities that can drive increased productivity, performance and positively impact workplace wellbeing.
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