How Weather Impacts Workplace Productivity & What You Can Do to Help

What’s the most crucial aspect of running a successful business? Of course, you have to devise an outstanding marketing strategy to promote your products/services. Also, you need to create an environment for customer success and provide top-notch customer support. All your business development efforts will fail to yield the desired results, however, in the absence of productive employees. 

Whether you’re running a bootstrapped local business or a thriving global corporation, your employees are one of your most indispensable business assets.

They’re the ones responsible for executing your marketing campaigns and customer success strategy. Also, they need to work on various aspects of the business, such as lead nurturing, business development and product development, to mention a few examples.

It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to regularly boost employee morale and productivity. This, in turn, means you should create an environment that makes them feel motivated and passionate.

Factors Affecting Workplace Productivity

Motivated and energetic employees will be inspired to excel and work hard to help accomplish your business objectives. This, in effect, will skyrocket revenue and help scale your business to greater heights.

However, almost every business owner will vouch that maintaining workplace productivity is easier said than done. Your employee’s productivity levels depend on a wide range of factors, such as:

• Work culture

• Onboarding and training

• Available tools and resources

• Business goals

• Management processes

While most business owners and managers focus on creating a positive work environment, they end up ignoring a crucial factor that affects employee productivity, i.e. the weather.

That’s right! Seasonal changes in weather can significantly impact employees’ productivity levels, making them feel dull and uninspired. That’s why it’s crucial to check the weather and brainstorm creative strategies to skyrocket employee productivity despite adverse weather conditions.

How Does the Weather Impact Modern Businesses?

Irrespective of whether your business belongs to a weather-dependent industry or not, it’s recommended that you keep an eye on the weather. From routine business operations to employee safety - the weather influences various aspects of your business. 

Also, your sales and revenue could vary depending on the weather. For instance, if you’re running a food delivery platform, demand for your service will skyrocket on rainy or snowy days. Likewise, if you own an apparel brand, you should find the optimal time to launch new products based on the weather forecast.

Moreover, the weather at your business location also influences employee morale and productivity. This is because, as humans, our motivation and moods do change based on the weather. That’s why we tend to feel uninspired and lazy on overcast winter mornings. The lack of adequate sunlight in winter and monsoons promotes the secretion of melatonin, which, in turn, can make you feel exhausted and sleepy throughout the day. Consequently, your employees are likely to be less productive during certain seasons.

This could make you think that productivity levels will miraculously improve in summer, but extreme temperatures during the peak of summer can exhaust your employees even before they reach the workplace.

Research has shown that hot weather can reduce workplace productivity by up to 20%. Also, it can amplify distraction for your employees by roughly 45%.

Even if your employees are working from home, a bright and sunny day can distract them with various possibilities, such as going out for a walk or heading to the beach. Likewise, in winters, they’ll feel tempted to stay in bed even during office hours, thus reducing their productivity.

On the other hand, working in the office on a rainy day might prove to be more effective than you’d think. This is because a heavy downpour reduces the need to go outside and encourages your employees to stay indoors and finish their work faster.

Dealing with the Consequences of Adverse Weather

It is, therefore, important to implement the right techniques to boost employee morale and efficiency despite bad weather. Here are a few useful tips to help you get started:

1. Implement Climate Control

This is a no-brainer, considering today’s unpredictable and extreme weather conditions due to climate change. Make sure you get a robust and programmable climate control system installed at the office. It’ll go a long way to maintaining a relaxed work environment that’s conducive to efficiency and productivity.

2. Relax the Dress Code

Ditch the blazer and tie in summers and let your employees wear light and comfortable clothing. It’ll help them feel at ease and consequently motivate them to work harder.

3. Keep Working Hours Flexible

Some of your employees might want to cherish the morning sun in winter before starting their workday. Other employees would want to start their day early and wrap up work in time to enjoy the sunset.

Make working hours flexible and let your employees decide when and how long they want to work. You could also consider allowing them to work from home for a day every week or implement a 4-day workweek at the peak of summer and winter.

What measures is your organization taking to minimize the impact of adverse weather on employee productivity? Share your ideas.