Temperature and performance at work

MUSCAT: Have you ever noticed that your job performance is affected by fluctuations in weather and climate throughout the year? You may think this is a joke, but it carries within it a phenomenon that concerns many experts, specialists, and doctors. This is because it is linked to an employee's mood and health, which are the core and focus of their job performance.

Health and professional performance of office workers have significant financial implications, and the thermal environment, primarily characterised by air temperature, is one of the most important environmental factors affecting cognitive work performance.

High temperatures lead to poor performance. Concurrent with societal development the nature of work has gradually shifted from physical to mental, necessitating increased use of electronic media while sitting at a desk. This shift poses new challenges to physical and mental health and individual performance. Creating an effective indoor environment is essential to ensuring and enhancing productivity, enhancing employee job satisfaction, and thus promoting stability and societal development. Many scientists have studied the work performance and overall performance required to perform work in the various temperatures commonly encountered in buildings, with the goal of determining the appropriate temperature range for optimal cognitive performance.

As temperatures rise, we feel tired and experience a general decline in mental and physical performance, especially during working hours. A scientific study confirmed a relationship between high summer temperatures and an individual's ability to work. The study also indicated that heat waves have a significant impact on an individual's work and production, as they slow down thinking, leading to loss of concentration and distraction.

Most people spend about 90 per cent of their time indoors, such as buildings. When the indoor temperature is uncomfortable, things can become complicated. When working, if you feel too hot or too cold that can make it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

A comfortable office temperature is believed to improve productivity, health, and job satisfaction. However, there is considerable debate among office workers about what exactly that means. As you know, it can be difficult to please everyone when it comes to controlling the indoor work climate. With the arrival of summer, rising temperatures in the workplace may cause employees to lose focus. High temperatures affect productivity and performance, as they are closely linked to the human element, which is quickly affected by all environmental influences, particularly those related to temperature.

When discussing office temperature, it is important to acknowledge that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The impact of temperature on productivity is significant. Numerous studies have linked increased productivity levels to environments where temperature is optimised to meet individual needs. For example, one study found that productivity decreases by approximately 2 per cent for every degree Celsius above 25°C. Conversely, temperatures below 20°C can cause employees to feel cold, distracting them as they try to keep warm.

Summer heat at work can be combated with some simple measures, including ventilating the office in the early morning hours and closing the windows during the afternoon. The air conditioner should be set so that the difference between the temperature inside the office and the outside temperature does not exceed 6 degrees Celsius, to avoid colds or circulatory problems. It is also important to wear loose, well-ventilated clothing and drink plenty of fluids at least 2 to 3 litres, preferably without caffeine, which causes sweating.

In offices where temperatures are consistently high or low, you may notice an increase in errors, slower completion of tasks, and even higher rates of absenteeism. Therefore, maintaining an ideal temperature is not just a matter of comfort; it is a strategic step to improve the overall efficiency and inclusiveness of the workplace.