Effects of office environment on employee satisfaction: a new analysis

Two large and detailed field studies of the effect of office environment parameters on aspects of environmental and job satisfaction were conducted. The first study focused on open-plan offices in nine conventional buildings, whereas the second encompassed open-plan and private offices in 24 buildings (12 green and 12 conventional). The data collection for these studies was separated by approximately a decade, but the data collection methods, contexts and analysis procedures were very similar. This offered the opportunity to compare the results of the studies at the workstation level, with the goal of identifying parameters consistent in affecting occupant satisfaction, and of exploring the effects of office type (open-plan versus private) and building type (green versus conventional). Satisfaction with acoustics and privacy was most strongly affected by workstation size and office type; satisfaction with lighting was most strongly affected by window access and glare conditions; and satisfaction with ventilation and temperature was most strongly affected by pollutant concentration. Occupants of green buildings rated all aspects of environmental satisfaction more highly. Finally, job satisfaction was most strongly affected by pollutant concentration and office type.     

Nutzerzufriedenheit und Komfort am Arbeitsplatz – Ergebnisse einer Feldstudie in Bürogebäuden

Thermal comfort and satisfaction at workplaces – a field study in office buildings. By applying multivariate analysis to survey data of a field study in 17 buildings, several correlations between different parameters with regard to satisfaction at workplaces could be found and validated. One important result was that the individual satisfaction parameters were independent. A significant difference between winter and summer votes on the satisfaction with the indoor temperature could be shown; the dissatisfaction at neutral thermal sensation was considerably higher in summer. In total, only 30% of the occupants were very satisfied or satisfied with the temperature at their workplace in summer and winter. The perceived effectiveness of attempted temperature changes proofed to be the dominant parameter for the satisfaction with the indoor temperature. By weighting individual satisfaction parameters a matrix could be generated which provides a straight‐forward assessment of building performance by showing the optimisation potential for each parameter and the necessity to act for the building manager. The conclusion with regard to building design is that small office rooms with individual control of the indoor environment perform best in terms of acceptance by occupants.     

Relationship between quality of building maintenance management services for indoor environmental quality and occupant satisfaction

Two surveys were carried out to investigate the correlation between building maintenance management services for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupant satisfaction. Each maintenance management organization manager was surveyed using the Evaluation Index of Maintenance Management Service Quality, created by Akira Takakusagi. Seven office buildings in Seoul, Korea were investigated in the first survey, and two buildings from the first survey were selected for analysis in the second survey. One is a building with good maintenance management services but low occupant satisfaction, and the other is an office building with low maintenance management services but high occupant satisfaction.     

Optimizing energy efficiency and occupant comfort with climate specific design of the building

Designing energy efficient and comfortable buildings requires harmonizing the complex interactions of architecture, construction and building service engineering. The building envelope has a particular importance, since it integrates many functions and has direct influence on indoor climate. Focusing on satisfaction of the user means that the indoor climate is a key for a holistic design approach. Only a satisfied user will not intervene with the designed energy concept or the indoor climate control; dissatisfaction results in multiple system interventions which may cause waste of energy and sometimes even damage to building envelope components. Satisfaction with the indoor environment also increases working productivity or enables effective recreation of residents.The paper deals with international research activities in the field of climate specific building design. Various comfort and energy monitoring surveys of office buildings as well as residential buildings provide substantial information about the occupants' behavior and their needs during specific situations under different outdoor climates. This information allows summarizing basic climate dependent design principles which architects should keep in mind during the early stages of the design process. It also helps to develop strategies aiming at reducing building energy demand and at the same time consider comfort aspects. The second part of this paper demonstrates application of the climate dependent design principles in a housing project in Dubai.     

Indoor air quality and occupant satisfaction in five mechanically and four naturally ventilated open-plan office buildings

Occupant responses and indoor environment characteristics were recorded and compared in five mechanically and four naturally ventilated open-plan office buildings by using a simple approach that enabled us to survey many buildings simultaneously. All occupant responses were obtained during one afternoon. In a pre-experiment, temperature and the concentration of CO₂ were monitored in 2–10 locations/office to evaluate the variation throughout the offices. A representative measurement point was subsequently selected and measurements of the same parameters were made during one week. All offices were monitored during the same week and occupant responses to the indoor environment were collected via the internet on the same day within that week. The temperature and the CO₂ concentration varied more and were in some cases higher in the naturally ventilated buildings, but occupant responses in terms of symptoms and adverse perceptions differed only modestly between the two building types. Although rarely supported by statistical significance, the results indicated a somewhat higher degree of satisfaction with the indoor environment and a lower prevalence/intensity of symptoms among the occupants in the naturally ventilated buildings.     

Phase 1 of the California Healthy Building Study: A Summary

Twelve public office buildings were selected for a study of relationships between worker's health symptoms and a number of building, workspace, job, and personal factors. Three buildings were naturally ventilated, three were mechanically ventilated, and six were air conditioned. Information on the prevalences of work-related symptoms, demographics, and job and personal factors were determined via a questionnaire completed by 880 occupants. Several indoor environmental parameters were measured. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between symptom prevalences and features of the buildings, indoor environments, jobs, and personal factors. A substantial fraction of the occupants in these typical office buildings reported frequent work-related symptoms. The occupants of the mechanically ventilated and air conditioned buildings had sipifcantly more symptoms than occupants of the naturally ventilated buildings after adjustment for confounding factors. Increased prevalences of some symptoms were associated with several job and workspace factors including: presence of carpet, increased use of carbonless copy paper and photocopiers, space sharing, and distance from a window     

Association of air-conditioning with respiratory symptoms in office workers in tropical climate

To evaluate the association of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) and respiratory symptoms in a tropical city, self-administered questionnaires were given to 2000 individuals working in air-conditioned office buildings and to 500 control workers in naturally ventilated buildings. Reported symptoms from the two populations were analyzed using chi-square tests, univariate and multiple logistic regressions models. Symptoms were the outcome variable and the odds ratios were adjusted by gender, age, accumulated work time, smoking habits and atopic background. There was a 79.8% response rate and there was a positive association of nasal symptoms (odds ratio, OR = 1.59, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.11-2.28), naso-ocular symptoms (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.05-2.38), persistent cough (OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 2.00-4.63) sinusitis symptoms (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.27-2.71) and building-related worsening of the symptoms (OR = 4.92, 95% CI = 2.93-8.27) with working in air-conditioned buildings. In conclusion, our study suggests that artificial air-conditioning is a matter of concern for respiratory symptoms in cities with hot and humid climate. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study suggests that indoor air-related respiratory symptoms are a matter of concern in places with hot and humid climate. The regression models were adjusted by confounders that could be used in further reanalysis of indoor air quality related symptoms and ventilation systems with expanded variety of climatic conditions.     

The influence of personality on user satisfaction: multi-tenant offices

Many different multi-tenant offices have arisen over the last decades, as building owners address the changing nature of the workplace – a need for users to share facilities. However, the existing literature on multi-tenant buildings from the point of view of user satisfaction is scarce, limiting input for user-centred design. This study analyses the influence of personality on user satisfaction with multi-tenant office characteristics. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed among users of 17 different multi-tenant offices (business centres, incubators serviced offices and co-working places), which yielded 190 respondents. To determine the effects of personal characteristics, a multiple regression model was performed per office variable category. Results showed that users who are more extraverted, open to new experiences and more agreeable were overall more satisfied with the multi-tenant office characteristics. However, the effects of demographics and work-related characteristics were much larger. Men, older users and users working in an open and flexible work environment were overall more satisfied with the office characteristics. Owners, developers and managers can use these results for developing user-centred designs, optimizing the level of satisfaction in their offices.     

夏热冬暖地区绿色建筑性能后评估研究

为了解夏热冬暖地区绿色建筑运行后实际能耗和室内环境品质，文章详细介绍了该气候区内绿色建筑主要技术的应用情况及应用效果。选取位于该气候区内共11个获得绿色建筑认证的办公建筑，通过调研实际能耗，结合用户主观问卷调研，与常规办公建筑的能耗和室内环境品质主观满意度进行了对比研究。结果表明，对于A类办公建筑，绿色建筑与常规建筑无明显差异，均略低于引导值；对于B类而言，绿色办公建筑的总能耗显著低于常规办公建筑，但与能耗指标相比二者能耗均较高，是建筑节能工作的重点。在室内环境品质满意度方面，用户对绿色建筑的满意度明显高于常规建筑，在空气品质和室内环境控制上尤为明显，光环境的差异则更多是归因于天然采光的设计，而非人工照明的优化。最后通过一个案例从节地、节能和室内环境等3个方面全面地介绍了适宜于夏热冬暖地区的绿色建筑设计。     

Impact of psycho-social factors on perception of the indoor air environment studies in 12 office buildings

The main function of a mechanically ventilated office building is to provide a healthy and comfortable working environment for occupants, while maintaining minimum energy consumption. Twelve mechanically ventilated buildings were selected. They varied greatly in surface area, number of floors, occupant density, and building use. The indoor air quality, thermal comfort, energy consumption, and perception of occupants were investigated in these buildings. A total of 877 subjects participated in the questionnaire survey during the hot summer months of June, July, and August, and during the cold winter months of January, February, and March. The questions included in the questionnaire dealt with health, environmental sensitivity, work area satisfaction, personal control of the workstations environment, and job satisfaction. Measured parameters concerning the quality of indoor air included ventilation rate, concentration of TVOC, CO₂, CO, RH, and formaldehyde. The thermal comfort parameters included room air, mean radiant, plane radiant asymmetry, and dew point temperatures, as well as air velocity and turbulence intensity. Monthly energy consumption data was also gathered for each building. Ventilation performance, in terms of air flow rate and indoor air quality, was compared with the ASHRAE Standard 62-89R (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. U.S.A. [1]). The measured and calculated thermal environmental results were also compared with the ASHRAE Standard 55-92 (Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. U.S.A. [2]). CO₂ and CO levels satisfied the recommended limits. The outdoor airflow rate was half that recommended in only one building. The formaldehyde and TVOC levels were moderately higher than suggested comfort levels. However, more than 56% of the occupants rated dissatisfaction with the indoor air quality. Only 63% of the indoor climatic observations fell within the ASHRAE Standard 55-92 summer comfort zone; 27% in the winter. However, only 69% of those surveyed agreed with the comfort zones. More symptoms were reported by workers who perceived IAQ to be poor. Positive relationships were observed between the job satisfaction and satisfaction with office air quality, ventilation, work area temperature, and ratings of work area environment. However, job dissatisfaction did not correlate with symptom reports. The occupants were more dissatisfied with IAQ when they preferred more air movement. In other words, the higher the perceived air movement, the greater the satisfaction with IAQ.     

Rhinosinusitis and mold as risk factors for asthma symptoms in occupants of a water-damaged building

Abstract Mold exposure in damp buildings is associated with both nasal symptoms and asthma development, but the progression of building-related (BR) rhinosinusitis symptoms to asthma is unstudied. We examined the risk of developing BR-asthma symptoms in relation to prior BR-rhinosinusitis symptoms and microbial exposure among occupants of a damp building. We conducted four cross-sectional health and environmental surveys among occupants of a 20-story water-damaged office building. We defined BR-rhinosinusitis symptom (N?=?131) and comparison (N?=?361) groups from participants' first questionnaire responses. We compared the odds for the development of BR-asthma symptoms between these two groups over the subsequent surveys, using logistic regression models adjusted for demographics, smoking, building tenure, and first-survey exposures to fungi, endotoxin, and ergosterol. The BR-rhinosinusitis symptom group had higher odds for developing BR-asthma symptoms [odds ratio (OR)?=?2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI)?=?1.3-3.6] in any subsequent survey compared to those without BR-rhinosinusitis symptoms. The BR-rhinosinusitis symptom group with higher fungal exposure within the building had an OR of 7.4 (95% CI?=?2.8-19.9) for developing BR-asthma symptoms, compared to the lower fungal exposure group without BR-rhinosinusitis symptoms. Our findings suggest that rhinosinusitis associated with occupancy of water-damaged buildings may be a sentinel for increased risk for asthma onset in such buildings. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Exposure to mold is associated with the development of asthma in damp building occupants, and rhinitis is known to be a risk factor for asthma. However, there is little information about the degree of risk for the progression of rhinosinusitis to asthma owing to mold exposures in damp buildings. Our study of damp building occupants demonstrates that building-related (BR) rhinosinusitis symptoms were a risk factor for the development of BR asthma symptoms and that exposure to mold (fungi) or other dampness-related agents augments risk for the development of BR asthma symptoms among those with BR rhinosinusitis symptoms. Our findings suggest that occurrence of BR upper respiratory illness in water-damaged buildings may presage future endemic asthma.     

Relationships between the type of residential area and the aspects of surface temperature and solar reflectance (based on digital image analysis using airborne multispectral scanner data)

Based on a pilot survey of workers in an office building in St. Louis, Missouri, we evaluate reported levels of importance and satisfaction associated with lighting controls and other environmental conditions in workspaces and how they relate to physical features of the building and selected socio-demographic characteristics. We found that most respondents considered the majority of their workspace conditions important and satisfactory. The data suggest a negative relationship between how people evaluate the importance of and their satisfaction with their working environment: those who are least satisfied with features of their workspace consider these features very important, and vice versa. We also found that floor location, window orientation, and gender of worker were statistically significant correlates of many attitudes toward workspace features. Optimal benefits from new lighting and related control technologies will require good design and efficient hardware; however, our results suggest that careful integration of these technologies with worker values and priorities is essential if potential benefits are to be realized.     

Lighting preferences in office spaces concerning the indoor thermal environment

The accurate prediction of the visual comfort zone in an indoor environment is difficult as it depends on many parameters. This is especially the case for large compact urban areas in which the density and shadow from neighboring buildings can limit the accessible daylighting in indoor spaces. This paper investigates the satisfaction range for illuminance regarding indoor air temperature in office buildings and the significant parameters affecting this range in six office buildings in Tehran, Iran. Lighting comfort has been evaluated by a subjective survey (509 total responses) and field measurement. The questionnaires were filled out in 146 and 109 rooms in summer and winter, respectively. The results show that the illuminance should not be less than 550 lx, while illuminance between 600 and 650 lx provides the highest satisfaction level. The satisfaction with lighting level is affected by individual parameters such as age, type of activity, and environmental parameters such as window orientation, external obscurations, and season. A relationship was observed between lighting level satisfaction and thermal condition acceptance, and the overall comfort depends more on thermal conditions than the lighting level.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with nonspecific building‐related symptoms in office employees in Japan: relationships between work environment,Indoor Air Quality,and occupational stress

A nationwide cross‐sectional study of 3335 employees was conducted in 320 offices in Japan to estimate the prevalence of building‐related symptoms (BRSs) and determine the risk factors related to work environment, Indoor Air Quality, and occupational stress. Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. The prevalences of general symptoms, eye irritation, and upper respiratory symptoms were 14.4%, 12.1%, and 8.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that eye irritation was significantly associated with carpeting [odds ratio (OR), 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24–2.41], coldness perception (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13–1.45), and air dryness perception (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.42–1.82). General symptoms were significantly associated with unpleasant odors (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13–1.65), amount of work (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06–1.45), and interpersonal conflicts (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.23–1.69). Upper respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with crowded workspaces (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.13–1.63), air dryness perception (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.79–2.38), and reported dustiness on the floor (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.16–1.67). Although psychosocial support is important to reduce and control BRSs, maintaining appropriate air‐conditioning and a clean and uncrowded workspace is of equal importance.     

Thermal comfort and workplace occupant satisfaction—Results of field studies in German low energy office buildings

The issues of comfort and workspace quality in buildings have gained much importance with the European “Energy Performance of Buildings Directive” of 2001. New energy efficient building concepts and technologies require a revision of comfort standards, which were developed for air-conditioned buildings only. Particularly, the question of recommendable upper indoor temperature limits needs further investigation. In addition, a broader approach to occupant satisfaction in buildings is necessary with respect to overall building performance.     

Building dampness and mold in European homes in relation to climate,building characteristics and socio‐economic status: The European Community Respiratory Health Survey ECRHS II

We studied dampness and mold in homes in relation to climate, building characteristics and socio‐economic status (SES) across Europe, for 7127 homes in 22 centers. A subsample of 3118 homes was inspected. Multilevel analysis was applied, including age, gender, center, SES, climate, and building factors. Self‐reported water damage (10%), damp spots (21%), and mold (16%) in past year were similar as observed data (19% dampness and 14% mold). Ambient temperature was associated with self‐reported water damage (OR=1.63 per 10°C; 95% CI 1.02‐2.63), damp spots (OR=2.95; 95% CI 1.98‐4.39), and mold (OR=2.28; 95% CI 1.04‐4.67). Precipitation was associated with water damage (OR=1.12 per 100 mm; 95% CI 1.02‐1.23) and damp spots (OR=1.11; 95% CI 1.02‐1.20). Ambient relative air humidity was not associated with indoor dampness and mold. Older buildings had more dampness and mold (P<.001). Manual workers reported less water damage (OR=0.69; 95% CI 0.53‐0.89) but more mold (OR=1.27; 95% CI 1.03‐1.55) as compared to managerial/professional workers. There were correlations between reported and observed data at center level (Spearman rho 0.61 for dampness and 0.73 for mold). In conclusion, high ambient temperature and precipitation and high building age can be risk factors for dampness and mold in homes in Europe.     

Does office space occupation matter? The role of the number of persons per enclosed office space,psychosocial work characteristics,and environmental satisfaction in the physical and mental health of employees

The study examined the effects of office space occupation, psychosocial work characteristics, and environmental satisfaction on physical and mental health of office workers in small‐sized and open‐plan offices as well as possible underlying mechanisms. Office space occupation was characterized as number of persons per one enclosed office space. A total of 207 office employees with similar jobs in offices with different space occupation were surveyed regarding their work situation (psychosocial work characteristics, satisfaction with privacy, acoustics, and control) and health (psychosomatic complaints, irritation, mental well‐being, and work ability). Binary logistic and linear regression analyses as well as bootstrapped mediation analyses were used to determine associations and underlying mechanisms. Employee health was significantly associated with all work characteristics. Psychosocial work stressors had the strongest relation to physical and mental health (OR range: 1.66–3.72). The effect of office space occupation on employee health was mediated by stressors and environmental satisfaction, but not by psychosocial work resources. As assumed by sociotechnical approaches, a higher number of persons per enclosed office space was associated with adverse health effects. However, the strongest associations were found with psychosocial work stressors. When revising office design, a holistic approach to work (re)design is needed.     

Self‐reported health and comfort in ‘modern’ office buildings: first results from the European OFFICAIR study

In the European research project OFFICAIR, a procedure was developed to determine associations between characteristics of European offices and health and comfort of office workers, through a checklist and a self‐administered questionnaire including environmental, physiological, psychological, and social aspects. This procedure was applied in 167 office buildings in eight European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Finland) during the winter of 2011–2012. About 26 735 survey invitation e‐mails were sent, and 7441 office workers were included in the survey. Among respondents who rated an overall comfort less than 4 (23%), ‘noise (other than from building systems)’, air ‘too dry’, and temperature ‘too variable’ were the main complaints selected. An increase of perceived control over indoor climate was positively associated with the perceived indoor environment quality. Almost one‐third of office workers suffered from dry eyes and headache in the last 4 weeks. Physical building characteristics were associated with occupants’ overall satisfaction (acoustical solutions, mold growth, complaints procedure, cleaning activities) and health (number of occupants, lack of operable windows, presence of carpet and cleaning activities). OFFICAIR project provides a useful database to identify stressors related to indoor environmental quality and office worker's health.     

Quantifying occupant comfort: are combined indices of the indoor environment practicable?

What are the various ways in which evaluation of the several aspects of the indoor environment might combine to form an occupant's overall assessment of that environment? Data from an environmental survey of 26 offices in Europe (the Smart Controls and Thermal Comfort, or SCATs, project) are used. These show that dissatisfaction with one or more aspects of the indoor environment does not necessarily produce dissatisfaction with the environment overall. Conversely, satisfaction with one or more environmental aspect does not necessarily produce satisfaction with the total environment. Building occupants balance the good features against the bad to reach their overall assessment. Not all aspects are equally important in this subjective averaging process. Satisfaction with warmth and air quality is more important than satisfaction with the level of lighting or humidity. The relative importance of the various aspects differed from country to country, making it impossible to develop an internationally valid index to rate office environments by means of a single number. The best linear index constructed from the data failed to rank the indoor environments of the buildings in the correct order, as defined by the occupants' overall assessments. It is therefore wise to assess each of the several aspects separately rather than rely only on a combined index.