There are several factors that everyone understands affect productivity at the workplace, but there is one major factor which is usually neglected by the maximum number of employers: lighting. Sure, it’s general knowledge that working in dark, especially reading in the dark can harm your eyes, but improper lighting has consequences quite beyond that. An inappropriate selection of lighting can have a significant influence on employee productivity.

The Drawbacks Of Improper Lighting

The first accused, dim lighting, can be damaging to the productivity of employees for various reasons. Firstly, dim lighting can result in headaches and eye strain, because, when lighting is poor, the eyes are compelled to work harder to see even the simplest of things. Dim lighting also results in lack of focus and drowsiness, which harms employee motivation.

The second accused, harsh lighting, it is more prevalent than dim lighting and is equally harmful. Especially, fluorescent lighting, it has several negative effects on the workforce, as it causes eye strain, and is also known to trigger migraine headaches. Harsh lighting makes it hard for the eye to focus, so options should be investigated whenever possible.

Related Article: How to Keep Your Eyes Safe at Work

The best alternative to harsh and dim lighting systems is natural light itself. Renovations that include natural lighting have resulted in less absenteeism, happier workers, fewer illnesses, and because better lighting promotes satisfaction among the workforce it has also results in improved productivity.

Quick Office Lighting Tips

Repair Flickering Lights

Flickering lights need to be repaired on time, as it can cause a lot of stress and strain on eyes.

Paint Office In A Lighter Tone

By painting office in a lighter tone, you will not require to rely on extra lighting to keep the workplace sufficiently lit.

Notice The Positioning Of Your Workstation

See if the window is directly behind you or in front of you? Neither is good for your eyes. So, position yourself in a way that you are seated parallel to the windows, with them being on one or the other side.

Adjust The Brightness Of Your Screens

Adjust the brightness of your screens, your screens should not be too bright and nor too dull. This includes your computer, mobile devices, and television. You can also increase the font size on your computer, as this will help you with better vision and prevent you from leaning over and squinting right into the screen. Also, it is very important to keep your computer screens clean, fingerprints and dust-free.

Keep In Mind The 20/20/20 Rule

Train your mind to follow the 20/20/20 rule, by following this your eyes will feel better. What’s the 20/20/20 rule? Every 20 minutes you’ll require focus for 20 seconds on something which is at least 20 feet away from you.

With light being a fundamental element of vision, and vision standing responsible for approximately 85% of our perception of the environment around us, it’s not hard to understand why neglecting proper lighting plans in your workplace can have a significant negative influence on productivity. By opting for more natural lighting as well as lighting systems that are proven to be effective, you can not only increase the productivity of your business and employees but also save a lot of energy.