Self-reported poor indoor climate has also been linked to headaches and respiratory symptoms.
In the Western world, offices are among the most common workplaces. To save costs, many employers have moved away from private offices to larger, shared office spaces.
Researchers Therese Nitter Moazami from OsloMet and STAMI and Tom Sterud from STAMI – The National Institute of Occupational Health conducted a study investigating how different office layouts impact self-reported indoor climate and health among office workers.
The results show that employees in open-plan and shared offices more frequently reported poor indoor climate than those sitting in private offices. The worst conditions were found in flexible office layouts and offices shared by more than 24 people.
Flexible offices are a type of workspace where employees do not have fixed desks. Instead, they share a common office area with others and find a vacant seat each time they come to work. This is also known as "hot desking", “flexible workspaces”, or the "clean desk" concept.
More self-reported health symptoms in open-plan and shared offices
"Selv-reported dry air, draughts, and poor ventilation were strongly linked to an increased risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms and headaches", explains Therese Nitter Moazami.
"Poor indoor climate combined with open-plan and shared offices resulted in slightly more health complaints compared to those in private offices, who also experienced poor indoor climate."
The researchers emphasise that open-plan and shared offices themselves do not necessarily cause health problems, but the indoor climate plays a crucial role.
Why is the indoor climate worse in open-plan- and shared offices?
Moazami points to several possible reasons why the indoor climate may be perceived as worse in open-plan offices:
- More noise and less privacy.
- Limited ability to adjust the environment: Employees in open-plan and shared offices rarely have the option to regulate temperature, open windows, or adjust lighting to suit personal preferences.
- Influence from others: Employees may be more affected by the perceptions of others. If someone complains about the indoor climate, others may become more aware of it themselves.
Moazami elaborates:
"Additionally, it is often harder to ventilate large rooms than smaller private offices. Poor ventilation may also increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases. This was not explored in this study but is a common assumption."
Recommendations for improving the work environment
To reduce health complaints and improve the indoor climate in shared office spaces, the researchers suggest several measures:
- Ensure proper air circulation: Regular maintenance and good ventilation are critical.
- Increase individual control: Provide access to adjustable lighting, personal fans, or dedicated quiet rooms.
The researchers emphasize that each workplace must find solutions tailored to its specific needs, as indoor climate challenges can vary greatly between workplaces, professions, and individual preferences.
It is also worth noting that when the indoor climate is perceived as good, the difference in health complaints between shared offices and private offices is negligible.
A reminder of the importance of indoor climate
The study highlights the critical role of indoor climate in workplace health and well-being.
Although open-plan and shared offices might save on materials, energy, and cleaning costs, a poor indoor climate can lead to additional expenses.
"Although not investigated in our study, previous research shows that when employees have good control over the indoor climate and can adjust their working environment, satisfaction and productivity increase", says Moazami.
She believes that the research provides valuable insights for employers and architects, allowing them to create better workplaces.
Moazami adds that wages are often the largest expense for employers. Reduced productivity and employee dissatisfaction can end up costing more than the money saved on energy or office space.
