Can Worker Comfort Improve Productivity?

Temperature Control & Air Quality

We’re willing to make the assumption that most people reading this will have at least some memories of working in a blisteringly hot workplace. Or, at least that’s how it feels in the moment if the air con is broken, or if working in a hot inner-city underground kitchen for a popular bar.

It’s also true that some office arguments start with someone adjusting the thermostat. Some people run hot, others cold, and finding the sweet spot feels impossible, but it’s important to consider the specifics of the environment.

After all,  when people are too hot or cold, they spend more time thinking about their discomfort than their work. That’s the best-case scenario, the worst is dropping from heat exhaustion or risking further medical harm. For example, warehouse fans for logistics workers in large areas hard to cool can make a huge difference, especially if they’re wearing safety vests, heavy boots and other safety equipment. 

Clean air matters just as much, because stuffy rooms make people feel ennui, and poor ventilation spreads illness through teams like wildfire. Some companies have found that simply upgrading their air filters and maintaining a steady temperature of around 71F/21C helped reduce sick days and kept people more alert during afternoon meetings.

Ergonomic Furniture

Good chairs save backs and focus over time. It's that simple. However, many companies still buy the cheapest office furniture they can find, not realizing how much those savings cost them in the long run. 

Most people who have worked sitting down will agree that workers who sit comfortably stay focused longer - there’s no ascetic value in sitting in a poorly fit wooden chair just to pay attention. Those who have ergonomic furniture often take fewer breaks to stretch and don't develop the kind of chronic pain that leads to doctor visits and sick days, and better yet they can better conform to those with potential mobility issues. As for computer use (most common if seated of course,) quality keyboards and mice can help prevent carpal tunnel. Proper monitor heights stop neck strain too, so use mounts that keep the center around eye level and allow for adjustment. It’s nice to review this once in a while to make sure everyone’s well.

Standing Desks & Long-Term Health Provisions

We sometimes assume comfort means being relaxed and cozy in a seated or lying position, but that’s not the case. Comfort at work should mean accommodating what your body needs in the healthiest way. 

For example, our bodies weren't built to sit all day. A big popular investment is standing desks, which let people move naturally between positions as they work. Some employees may stand in the morning when they're energetic and sit later in the day. Others do the opposite. The point is having the choice, and giving staff the means to try to become a little more open about their health choices instead of limiting them to one position.

Some forward-thinking companies provide space to stretch or walk during breaks or allow for peaceful areas to retire to around the office. Some even bring in physical therapists to teach proper posture and movement now and again. These investments pay off as employees stay healthier and more active over their careers, and you may save hundreds of hours of sitting where it could have been healthier for employees to stand.

Mental Health Resources & Support

Of course, a comfortable body means little if the mind is stressed. That’s why more companies now offer confidential counseling and mental health days without judgment. That means training managers to spot signs of burnout before it becomes severe. 

As mentioned above, some provide quiet rooms where people can decompress if they need to or work in a quiet space. These resources help prevent the kind of mental exhaustion that drives good employees to quit. Even having an open door and confidential policy and reminding staff of that can inspire someone to reach out when they need to.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily use comfort, as one tool among many, to help improve productivity and wellbeing.