The Light Direction Blog:
As the pandemic subsides, we’ve witnessed the return to flying, the return to restaurants and nightlife, the return to theaters, and the return to schools. However, one of the places slowest to see a return to normalcy is the office.
At the start of the pandemic, almost overnight, the U.S. saw a monumental shift to work-from-home.
The way employees have gone about their daily workday has changed dramatically during the past 24 months, and while the prospect of giving up wearing pajamas to Monday morning sales meetings might be difficult for many to swallow, many companies are anxious to put the telecommuting days behind them and bring their team back into their buildings.
The physical space we work in every day has a significant impact on our physical and mental well-being.
In order to welcome employees back to the office, many companies have invested in redesigning their office spaces and their corporate culture to address their employee’s concerns and desires for a modern, technology-filled and above all else, healthy work environment. After all, a healthy workplace has a huge impact on improving employee mood and productivity as well as increasing collaboration and fostering a sense of belonging.
These upgrades include: redesigned workspaces with new furnishings, bandwidth improvements to better utilize videoconferencing hardware and software, improved indoor air quality with better ventilation, the addition of daylighting / natural lighting to create a happier workplace, upgraded cleaning and disinfection protocols for safety and health, improved lighting design to stimulate productivity and well-being, as well as lighting controls to adjust the intensity and improve mental acuity, and so on.
Several recent studies have shown that employees who work remotely from home are more productive and work longer hours than those who work in a traditional office setting. These facts are taken into account by employers, and that’s why they want to transform their offices into new hybrid living/working spaces.
So, what this all means for our lighting and electrical industry is many more immediate opportunities for office lighting projects.
While the Fall months, especially in the colder climates of the Northern parts of the U.S., generally mean contractors and distributors are focusing on outdoor lighting and electrical projects before the cold sets in, this year we should be focusing on indoor office projects and upgrades as workers “fall back” into their office spaces.
As those of us in the industry know, the simplest and often least expensive way to give an indoor environment a fresh look is to upgrade the lighting fixtures. From overhead lighting to decorative sconces to task lights, these upgrades will not only make an impact on the overall look and feel of the environment, but they will also have a dramatic, positive impact on employees’ moods and productivity.
Plus, the rebates that are available for these types of lighting upgrades in various parts of the country at all-time highs!
LED Troffers and Panels: These are simple, yet effective ways of improving the look and feel of an office. They will provide the majority of the office with an ambient lighting source, and by choosing a higher color temperature (5000K) they provide a cooler atmosphere, especially in warmer climates. They’re also newer, more stylish types available that don’t look like your Grampa’s shop light anymore.
LED Decorative Lights: These can include wall sconces and flush mount lights or even recessed or edge lighting. This is where an office can get a real facelift. These lighting options dress up the space, bring warmth to an often-sterile environment, add elegance, and create a home-like feel in an office.
Task Lighting: This is where the rubber meets the road, as they say. Task lighting truly helps employees accomplish their jobs, improves productivity, and breeds success. Task lighting includes under cabinet lights, accent lighting fixtures, and desk lighting.
While many businesses are shifting back to the office, the reality is a significant portion of their employees will still work remotely for some hours of the work week. Many companies are developing flex schedules that require employees to spend certain days in the office while allowing other days to be remote. These changes require better communication and technology so that in-office employees can interface with remote workers. These telecommunication systems also require upgrades in the building lighting systems to prevent glare on screens, better resolution video, etc.
With all these office changes and upgrades, the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023 should be a very good time for those in the lighting industry who are focused on office lighting upgrades to have a lot of business fall into their laps.