You've probably noticed it yourself. The days are getting shorter. It's getting darker. It takes more layers to keep you warm. It also means that many of us spend up to 90% of our time inside. And a large portion of that time is spent in the office. That's why it's necessary to create a good environment for a healthy, clean and pleasant office.
You probably know the feeling. The eternal discussion about the temperature in the office. And rightly so. Temperature is important for your well-being and not least productivity in the office. Especially in winter, it can be difficult to find a temperature that everyone is happy with.
According to science, the optimal temperature is between 20-22℃. For every degree the temperature drops from the optimal temperature, performance drops by 0.37%. On the other hand, if the temperature exceeds the optimal temperature, productivity drops by 0.43% for every degree.
Therefore, it's a good idea to check the radiators and make sure the temperature in the room is fairly constant. This has a big effect on yourindoor climate. If some colleagues are very cold or sit close to drafts, it's a good idea to have some blankets available. It also spreads a little coziness.
Here in the Nordics, winter is a dark time. In autumn and early winter, the day length creeps down to a measly 7 hours. Light is especially important for mental health and overall well-being in the office. And a lack of light can cause tension headaches, fatigue and, in extreme cases, increase stress.
If your office is in the shade or has few windows, it's beneficial to provide good indoor lighting. On the other hand, if your office has large windows, it's important to keep as much of the window area open to let the light in. In addition, it's always a good idea to have yourwindows cleaned regularly to make the most of the light.
You may not realize it, but when you sit inside, you are exposed to indoor pollution. Pollution that comes from fumes from furniture, electronics, and the materials the office and building are made of. On top of that, we humans also emit Co2 every time we breathe. Poor air quality can cause both concentration problems and headaches.
Good ventilation is the solution. Ventilation creates natural ventilation, which helps to reduce indoor air pollution. In the summer, it is recommended that you ventilate for at least 10 minutes every day. However, winter air is usually drier, so it may be worthwhile to ventilate more often - but for a shorter time. To create more intense ventilation, you need to have a draught so that the used air is really replaced with fresh air from outside. Remember to turn down the radiators to a minimum or turn them off to save energy. Another tip is to havegreen plants in the office, as they purify the air.
You've been bombarded with information on how to maintain good hygiene in the office. Unfortunately, winter often brings sniffles and coughs, not to mention illnesses. It is therefore extremely important to focus on hygiene.
Make sure the bathroom, kitchen and canteen are always stocked with soap and hand sanitizer. Also, remind colleagues to pay attention to the dirtiest places in the office. If all colleagues sanitize surfaces at the beginning and end of the day, you minimize the risk of spreading infection. This is especially true for keyboard, mouse and pen surfaces.
Mud, snow, slush, salt and sleet. You may not be able to avoid it completely, but you can avoid the floor turning into a paddling pool before the first handful of colleagues arrive.
If you don't have a mat at the entrance to the office, it's high time to get a few. In case of wet weather, you canreplace the wet one with a dry one during the day. If your office is also furnished with carpets, it's important that they are cleaned thoroughly and regularly.
It's also a good idea to consider whether the floor needs extracleaning during the winter period. This will both extend the life of the floor and make the office a nicer and more pleasant place to be.
To minimize the amount of snow and slush that finds its way into the office, it pays to make sure that salting and clearing is done during the coldest months of winter.
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