3 Tips To Survive The Winter Office

Without sufficient solutions, offices can be uncomfortable environments during the winter months. Cold temperatures can chill employees to the bone causing them to feel very uncomfortable in the workplace. Many businesses already utilise services for office refurbishment in Newbury in order to increase their employees comfort in the workplace, so what can businesses do to combat discomfort as a result of a low office temperature?

What Are The Risks Of Working In A Cold Office? What Temperature Should An Office Environment Be?

Firstly if your employees are uncomfortably cold in the workplace, they likely won't be performing at the height of productivity. Also, according to an article on Openworkspacedesign a study in 2014 found that 29% of workers spend approximately 10-30 minutes each day not working as a result of the office temperature making them feel uncomfortable. However, 6% spend more than half an hour not working for this very reason.

So using this data, if your office has 20 employees, just think about how many hours of work your business could be missing out on for every day that your employees are sat in an uncomfortable environment.

Are There Any Health Risks?

Cold isn't just a risk to office productivity; there are also some serious health risks associated with being in an environment that is too cold. The Health and Safety Executive writes that a reasonable working temperature for an indoor workplace should be usually at least 16°C, with exceptions for strenuous work or if laws require lower temperatures.

For example, exposure to cold temperatures can cause conditions such as Raynauds which can cause fingers to change colour to white, then blue then red, leaving the individual with a sensation of numbness, pain and 'pins and needles'. If you would like to learn more about this condition, you can do so by reading the page Raynaud's phenomenon on the NHS Choices website.

3 Tips To 'Survive The Winter Office'

Just like preparing for summer weather, there are numerous ways that you could refurbish your business in preparation for winter weather. If you would like to read more about preparing your office for a heat wave and get ready for summer 2018, you could read our previous blog titled 6 Tips To Cope With Hot Weather In Your Office.

• Invest In A Heating System
  Don't just rely on people wearing sweatshirts, cardigans or blankets to keep them warm. Look to quality heaters to provide your office environment with much needed warmth.
  
  If your employees are feeling a strong winter chill in your office environment, then perhaps it is as a result of out of date appliances. So, if your employees are suffering from a cold and uncomfortable office, consider upgrading your heating system.
  
  However, it is also important that you choose the correct position for your heating solution. For example, if you've bought a portable electric heater to heat up your office during these cold months, remember to place to in a confined area, close doors and trap in as much heat as possible. Also remember to keep it away from any flammable materials.

• Promote Healthy Eating In The Workplace
  When people think about staying warm, many look to external sources of warmth, but some forget about the importance of healthy eating. When your body digests food, it produces heat due to an increased metabolic rate. So remember the importance of healthy eating. Swap coffee for tea, instead of having a sandwich for lunch; enjoy a lunchtime meal such as a bowl of soup.
  
  However, this tip is a good practice for businesses throughout the year. Promoting healthy eating can be a fantastic tip to help your employees feel more comfortable in the workplace and potentially increase employee wellbeing. If you would like to learn more about employee wellbeing you can do so by reading our blog titled Importance Of Improving Your Workspace Wellbeing.

• Change The Dress Code To Meet The Needs Of The Winter Temperature
  Just like in the summer months; it is important that you dress appropriately for the weather. Some offices might benefit from relaxing the dress code in order to accommodate for employee needs during these cold months.
  
  For example, wearing sweatshirts, warm trousers and perhaps even boots (in case of ice and snow) could be very useful items of clothing. Also don't forget about the benefits of wearing layers. Wearing multiple thin layers can often keep you warmer than a single thicker layer because the warm air trapped between the layers insulates you from the cold.
  
  Additionally, make sure that there is a place for employees to put their coats/layers. You don't need to use a dedicated coatroom, but a place where employees can store their coats/layers would be a nice office feature, especially during winter.
  
  You could also place a bucket in the office area where employees can leave their umbrellas and also add a few communal umbrellas in case of unexpected rain.

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