Against nature

Cold temperatures, views of the bins through the window, the irritating blare of the headphones worn by your pod buddy – all these are significantly detrimental to wellbeing and productivity, claims a new report.

The report, by the World Green Building Council, claims that health, satisfaction and job performance are influenced by factors such as air quality, lighting, layout and views of nature. The Council also offers suggestions as to how to build a business case for environmental improvement, based on a number of quantifiable measures.

The content is pretty interesting when it comes to numbers – ‘thermal comfort can return single digit improvements in productivity,’ apparently – and the concept that views of nature aid wellbeing are striking. (‘Several studies have estimated productivity gains as a result of proximity to windows, with experts now thinking that views from windows are probably the more significant factor, particularly where the view offers a connection to nature.’) But it’s probably the suggestions regarding the business case that will have most of us reading.

Download the full report for details on metrics that are financial, perceptual and physical. (Absenteeism, self-reported attitudes and temperature, for example.)

And don’t forget to rope in some nature somewhere. If there isn’t any handily located by your window, here’s a great place to hire some taxidermy.

About the author

Andrew Baird

Andrew is the CEO of HRville. He is also Employer Brand Director of Blackbridge Communications, Editorial Director of Professionals in Law and an associate of The Smarty Train. Previously, he was the MD of TCS Advertising.