Smoke, chemicals, mold, dust – these are common problems when it comes to poor office air quality. When they go unchecked in your workplace, they can interfere with the health and wellness of your employees and, over time, hurt your business.
But there’s no reason to fret. Indoor Air Quality Ottawa performs comprehensive inspections of the air quality within your workplace. We can identify any contaminants in the air and help you make informed decisions. Here are the crucial reasons why you should keep an eye on the air quality in your office environment.
Health
Poor ventilation can lead to numerous health problems, ranging from allergy-like symptoms to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. It can also exacerbate respiratory illnesses such as asthma. If you’re noticing that your employees always seem to be sick or sluggish, you probably have pollutants in your environment contributing towards subpar indoor air quality.
Well-Being
Being in an office that is making you feel sick affects your mental health. Most people spend about 90 percent of their day indoors, whether at home or in an office, and their mental health can be greatly affected by the air they’re breathing in. Employees may feel depressed due to persistent illness, or anxious about ongoing symptoms of something that they can’t explain.
Increased illnesses mean an increase in either absenteeism or presenteeism. Absenteeism is when an employee takes more and more time off work because of sickness. Presenteeism is when the worker comes into the office while sick, which still affects the bottom line. A sick employee is less productive and tends to make colleagues uncomfortable. Furthermore, employees suffering the health effects of poor indoor air quality may be prone to stress or irritation, which can lead to a stressful work environment.
Productivity
Studies conducted by Health Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency found a link between fresh air and productivity. In fresh air, we are more able to reason, retain information, and maintain focus. Along with sharpening the mind, good ventilation energizes the body. To get fresh air into your office, keeping windows open or maintaining an efficient and balanced HVAC system is a good rule of thumb.
Your employees depend on you for a safe and comfortable workspace. They want to thrive at their jobs. By providing the best work conditions possible, you can help your employees reach their full potential while fostering a friendlier, more welcoming work environment. Contact us now to book an assessment with an expert from Indoor Air Quality Ottawa.
