How Office Temperatures Affect Productivity

What's the thermostat set to in your office? When you think of elements in the workplace that affect productivity, temperature probably isn't the first to come to mind. However, there's new evidence suggesting that office temperatures do in fact affect workers' productivity.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) conducted in which they discovered that worker productivity can be increased by up to 12% by increasing "cooling comfort" in the workplace. Researchers say heat stress has a negative impact on both the mental and psychological health of workers. When a workplace is hot, it increases workers' stress, which subsequently lowers their productivity levels. So by maintaining a cool and comfortable environment in the workplace, employers can promote greater productivity -- at least that's what researchers from this study say.

So, what's the ideal temperature for an office? Researchers point out that the optimal temperature varies from country to country. In tropical countries, however, the optima temperature for productivity in the workplace is between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. That's cool enough to minimize worker stress while still being warm enough to create a comfortable environment for workers.

Because workplace temperatures have such a profound affect on worker productivity levels, researchers recommend monitoring their climate settings, using programmable thermostats to maintain a suitable temperature.

"With the Centre emphasising on the growth of manufacturing sector through the Make In India initiative, we need to pay more attention to the effect of increasing temperatures on worker productivity and health," said the study's lead author. "Our study attempts to quantify the improvement in productivity that can be gained through establishment of cooling solutions at indoor workplaces. According to our study, worker productivity can be enhanced by up to 12 per cent by increasing the level of thermal comfort at workplace. The optimal temperature for worker performance may vary."

Of course, office temperature isn't the only thing that affects worker productivity levels. Distractions, such as noise and coworkers talking, can also affect productivity levels. These are just a few things that employers should keep an eye out for in the workplace. By optimizing their working environment appropriately, employers can promote greater productivity among their workers.

Do you think workplace temperatures affect productivity levels?