HR departments are generally aware of office ergonomics, however this term usually sparks up images of desks and chairs, adjusted to suit the user, or keyboards in the perfect position.

Whilst these areas of ergonomics are very important, it is important not to exclude lighting. Poor lighting can lead to a condition known as CVS, or Computer Vision Syndrome, of which symptoms include headaches, neck pain, itchy eyes and blurred vision.

Poor lighting can also have a negative impact on productivity and error rates, yet lighting ergonomics is often overlooked. As many offices have different layouts, there tends not to be a one-size-fits-all approach that works for everyone, but these five tips will help you to get started on creating a lighting plan to get the most out of your staff, and to avoid unnecessary issues.

1. Avoid going too dim or too bright
   If your office lighting is too dim, it can cause your employees to squint and strain to see what they are doing, be it admin work or reading from their computer screen. This is inefficient, but can also cause a gradual deterioration in vision. For this reason, you should make sure your office lighting isn’t too dim, however brightness can also cause problems. If office lighting is too bright, it can wash out images on computer screens, making it difficult for people to see them. Find a comfortable medium for your employees and if the room is too dim, supplement with table lighting. If the room is too bright, consider taking a row of lights out.
2. Consider the time of day
   By offering different lighting options in the office from ceiling lights to desk laps, you can allow your employees to adjust the light to suit the time of day.

3. Consider the placement of your lighting
   Glare is always a big area of concern in office lighting ergonomics, especially with computer screens around. It’s best to go for indirect lighting, and make sure you never position lights so that the light bounces off screens to the user’s eyes. Also think about glare from window reflections and shiny surfaces like desks and cabinets.
   

4. Don’t Position Monitors Near Windows
   Much like the point above, consider where light sources are and consider the positions of screens. Screens that are near windows are at high risk for glare and if there is a window directly behind a computer screen, it can create a look of high contrast between screen brightness and daylight. This can make it difficult on the eyes.

5. Go for a soft 3000k-4000k light
   Lights with more yellow tones tend to be easier on the eye, and have less impact on Circadian rhythms. Whilst a higher colour temperature light, with a bluey glow makes it very easy to see things clearly, it can be less psychologically pleasing. Ultimately though, it is important to offer a variety of colour temperatures to suit each situation and position.

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