Natural Light’s Positive Impact On Employee Engagement

Today’s workplaces are finally understanding that including proper work benefits are essential in attracting and retaining the top talent. But one of the more overlooked and simple tools in creating a positive employee atmosphere is natural light.

Natural light has been found to increase happiness and productivity at work, which is vital for productivity, employee engagement and job satisfaction.

A Harvard study found that wellness programs that include in-house yoga are not that effective in the short term, but having access to outdoor space and natural light has been found to have an instant positive impact on mood.

A study from Cornell analyzed the experiences of workers in offices with traditional windows and those with auto-tinting smart windows, which “control the sun’s energy to optimize natural light and reduce glare.” It found that controlled daylight reduced eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, as well improved productivity and alertness.

Human-centric design is also key in ensuring employees are happy and healthy. This doesn’t mean your office has to have floor-to-ceiling glass panels. It can be as simple as making sure the air is allergen-free, using glass-enclosed spaces to show transparency, and offering spaces that encourage both private and collaborative work.

Overall, it is clear that there is not one end-all solution to creating the perfect workspace that is beneficial to workers, but there are measures that can be taken to get there.