From poorly lit offices to bright fluorescent workplaces, we have all experienced the effects of bad lighting in the office.
Insufficient lighting as well as overly bright offices can strain the eye, cause headaches and fatigue which in turn negatively impacts productivity.
So what is the right type and right level of lighting to have in the office to create optimal working conditions?
It has been proven that a combination of natural and artificial lights will create the right working atmosphere and optimise productivity.
- Natural light is undeniably the best possible source of light as it is shown to increase employees’ satisfaction, mood and health in a way that artificial light cannot. However, access to natural light within offices is not always an option and, if present, should be paired with other types of lighting as it will vary throughout the day
- Overhead lighting is the most common source of light in the office. It provides general indirect lighting that is essential to brighten up the room however it can sometimes be too dim or cause shadows if directly above employees
- Task lighting: if the general lighting is insufficient, a small direct light source placed on the employee’s desk is often the best solution to provide illumination of the workspace. Check out our Volt light to brighten up your desk!
- Ambient lighting: lighting can also be used to create moods or a more peaceful atmosphere in a work environment, contributing to better productivity
As a general rule, good lighting at work should be bright enough and uniformly distributed so that employees can easily see printed documents without straining their eyes but should not be excessively blinding.
Reducing the amount of glare by dimming the overhead lighting, adjusting computer screens correctly, selecting matt rather than glossy paint and furniture finishing as well as adding adjustable blinds to windows are all great techniques used to improve lighting in the office.