That's the theory being explored by the Light Right Consortium, made up of major building companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations interested in conserving energy, promoting new lighting products and improving workplace environments. The program, managed by the Richland lab, is sponsoring a four-year analysis of the potential link between lighting quality and worker productivity. Just like an ergonomically correct chair or keyboard, lighting can have physical and psychological effects on workers, according to some earlier studies. For instance, lights that cause glare, particularly on computer screens, and flicker can be a factor in outbreaks of sick building syndrome, according to one study. Flickering lights and glare on computer screens also can cause eye strain, headaches and muscular skeletal problems.
Studies have also shown good lighting can have a positive effect.
Workers at the Herman Miller Inc. office and factory in Holland, Mich., reported higher job satisfaction after moving to a building with lots of windows and skylights. Some owners of office buildings in New York City also have had success in renting otherwise unappealing office buildings by improving lighting, said Ron Nesse, of the Richland lab's energy division. The goal of the four-year analysis of the Light Right Consortium will be to move beyond previous studies to quantify the potential relationship between good lighting and productivity, then work to translate the results into changes in the workplace. There have been some studies that showed students performed better on tests if they were working in natural light, Nesse said. The consortium already believes business is receptive to making changes, after it hired Ducker Research Co. Inc. to interview facility managers at 104 companies about the role lighting played in building plans.