With temperatures exceeding 30°C, UK workers may face a productivity drop of up to 30%, translating to significant business losses. Many offices lack sufficient cooling measures, leading to discomfort. Maria-Teresa Daher-Cusack, an organisational psychologist, emphasizes that comfort affects both productivity and wellbeing. Heat can cause dehydration, headaches, and fatigue, impairing performance. Effective hydration and clear communication during discomfort are recommended to maintain performance levels and reduce conflict. Prolonged heat exposure may also disrupt sleep patterns, further impacting productivity.
"Comfort isn't a luxury in the workplace; it's a psychological and physiological necessity for sustained productivity and wellbeing. When we experience physical discomfort, such as being too hot, our bodies go into a mild state of stress. Instead of devoting mental energy to tasks...the brain is preoccupied with regulating internal temperature and managing discomfort."
"Research suggests that people are more likely to interpret ambiguous interactions more negatively when they are physically uncomfortable, increasing the potential for conflict."
"When it's too warm, people may experience dehydration, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and even nausea. These symptoms can reduce physical stamina and make even simple tasks feel more demanding."
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