Why Air Quality is the Next Big Thing in Creating a Healthy Work Environment

Today, offices have evolved significantly. Workspaces are no longer limited to four white walls, a desk and a chair. Now, modern offices aim to create a personalised, high-tech and comfortable work environment for their employees.

Yet, amidst the emphasis on ergonomic chairs, standing desks, state-of-the-art tech infrastructure, and even the quality of your morning cuppa, one element has largely gone ignored. And that’s the air quality in the workplace.

Office air quality is fast emerging as a decisive factor in how productive and healthy modern workspaces are. Further, from rising awareness around environmental health to workplace regulations and employee expectations, air quality is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s a strategic priority.

This article discusses why air quality is a top priority for a healthy work environment, and the steps you can take to improve it in your workspace.

Why Should Air Quality Be a Top Priority for Offices?

Here is why air quality in the workplace cannot be ignored by modern businesses:

1. It’s a Legal Requirement

Regulation 6 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires employers to ensure every enclosed workplace has adequate ventilation and fresh air. Further, industrial businesses must also undertake a risk assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) provisions. Businesses must comply with such regulations to prevent fines and legal action.

2. Jeopardises Employee Well-being

Poor air quality in the workplace can seriously hamper employee well-being by exposing them to higher levels of CO2, irritants, and pollutants. These, in turn, trigger headaches, respiratory issues, fatigue and overall discomfort.

Prolonged exposure to such substances can weaken the immune system and raise the risk of illnesses, which ultimately undermine physical and mental health.

3. Compromises Productivity

If employees experience health setbacks or face pollutants and poor air quality in the workplace, it’s natural that their professional performance will suffer as well.

A research study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that lower ventilation rates and increased concentration of fine particulate matter were associated with reduced accuracy on cognitive tests. In other words, if your team isn’t getting a healthy work environment, you’re jeopardising your business goals.

4. Endangers Employee Satisfaction and Company Image

An unhealthy work environment indicates neglect, shaping how employees and visitors alike perceive the workplace. A stuffy and uncomfortable office erodes trust, affects engagement, and damages team spirit, weakening the business’s image.

How to Improve Air Quality in the Workplace?

Here are some tips to improve and maintain a healthy work environment.

1. Undertake Periodic Checks of the Office: Conduct suitable tests around the office, measuring the quality of air. This will help you recognise a declining air quality in the workplace before it reaches a threatening level.
2. Prioritise Fresh Air Whenever Possible: Be sure to open your office windows to air the space from time to time. This should be done especially in the morning to remove the stale air trapped overnight.
3. Service Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as Per Schedule: Timely servicing of air ducts, air conditioners, heating systems and other appliances prevents pollutants and contaminants from affecting the air quality in the workplace.
4. Install an Air Purifier: Adding an air purifier to your workspace can help maintain a healthy work environment. These appliances are designed to deliver clean, high-quality air.
5. Ensure Health Humidity Level: Maintaining a humidity level between 30% to 50% can help keep dust mites, allergens and mould at bay.
6. Add Plants to Your Workspace: Plants naturally filter pollutants through their roots and leaves to produce more oxygen, promoting employee well-being.

Move Into a Health Work Environment with Garden Office Bermondsey

Prioritising air quality isn’t just about employee comfort and compliance with health regulations. It’s about fostering a vibrant, productive and future-ready workspace where employees can thrive.

Cleaner air supports employee health, boosts focus, and strengthens your company’s reputation as an organisation that truly cares for its members. Factoring air quality in the workplace into your broader workspace strategy is not an operational choice, but an investment in your team’s long-term success.

For companies seeking workspaces that reflect these values, Garden Office Bermondsey offers a thoughtfully designed, healthy work environment in London’s dynamic Bermondsey neighbourhood.

From fully furnished, serviced private offices to flexible layouts suited to startups and small teams, each workspace blends comfort, natural light, and modern amenities to support employee well-being and performance. To check out our offerings on Tanner Street, book a visit today!