Regulating temperature to support employee productivity

Creating a comfortable environment will help keep employees willing and able to work longer, letting you maximise every minute of the working day. Temperature may seem like a fairly insignificant factor, but research shows it plays a role in driving efficiency as well as supporting employee wellbeing. So, what is that Goldilocks temperature, and how can you fine-tune your workplace to keep staff focused?

1. Understanding legal obligations

You’re required by law to maintain an appropriate temperature in the workplace. For indoor environments, it should be reasonable and not too extreme. There’s no fixed legal temperature because environments vary so widely, from factories to offices, but the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a minimum of 16°C for light work and 13°C for rigorous physical work. These guidelines are designed to protect employees from conditions that could affect their physical health and safety.

Ensuring you meet these standards fosters a culture that values employee welfare and helps you avoid costly fines.

2. Discovering the benefits

When employees are working in a pleasant environment that supports physical wellbeing, you can expect cognitive function to improve as well. Maintaining a comfortable workplace temperature reduces distractions, improving attention span and minimising the chance of errors.

Establishing an environment that prioritises comfort also means you’re less likely to see absenteeism or time off sick for fatigue or stress, boosting overall output. Ultimately, when employees feel good in their environment, they’re more likely to show up, engage and contribute consciously to your wider company goals.

3. Regulating workplace temperature

Regulating temperature in the workplace goes beyond just adjusting a thermostat. Start by assessing your boiler and radiators and consider overhauling your central heating system if it’s outdated and inefficient. Older systems often create hot spots and cold corners whereas new technology like heat pumps ensure even temperatures throughout. Consider investing in air-conditioning units and fans as well, for those rare but exhausting heat waves.  

Advances in technology allow you to incorporate smart systems that regulate temperature more efficiently. Smart thermostats sense slight changes and learn office patterns and can adjust accordingly, independently maintaining a consistent environment throughout the day to match needs in real time.

You can complement smart systems with zoned heating, another effective method of optimising energy consumption. Dividing the workplace into zones let’s you heat and cool areas in use, sometimes conversely depending on demand, and leave unused areas untouched. Zoning is particularly beneficial in larger offices or multi-functional spaces which may require different heating or cooling requirements at different times.

4. Integrating sustainability initiatives

Sustainability is increasingly important, and introducing temperature regulation systems can help reduce your overall environmental impact, supporting wider sustainability initiatives. Where possible, invest in green heating options which harness renewable energy and/or maximise efficiency, and encourage staff to use them responsibly. Smart technology can help you regulate and track energy, making reporting for B Corp certification (and similar) a seamless process.

Integrating eco heating initiatives demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility, helping to improve brand reputation and attract likeminded talent.