Employers need to attract and retain talent and employees are becoming more discerning about the types of places they want to work – says lighting manufacturer Tamlite Lighting. Which, it says, is why its customer HomeLet – part of the Barbon Insurance Group – is placing a significant emphasis on lighting as part of its commitment to workplace wellbeing.
Interestingly, this ethos has resulted in Homlet’s listing in the Times Top 100 companies to work for in 2019; demonstrating the focus that the company has on providing the optimum working environment for its employees.
Based in Lincoln, HomeLet employs over 300 staff throughout its two-storey office building. The company turned to Tamlite to provide a lighting design that works for its people. The project objective was to offer comfortable workspace for staff, as well as to significantly reduce energy consumption. HomeLet sought to upgrade the lighting system throughout the site, specifying the Tamlite Lighting solution for the offices, canteen, communal spaces and break-out areas.
The challenge
HomeLet felt that its previous lighting system was adequate for its office. Shadowing on desks and screens made it difficult for people to focus, leading to eye strain, whilst flicker from fittings caused severe discomfort and headaches among staff. Once installed, the new, uniform lighting solution significantly reduced eye strain, and the minimal flicker greatly decreased discomfort among staff.
A uniform lighting solution significantly reduced eye strain, and the minimal flicker greatly decreased discomfort
Commenting on the need for the upgrade, Helen Lloyd, Engagement and Communications Manager at HomeLet said, “We felt that the 4000K fittings were a little gloomy, and didn’t look as professional as we would have liked.”
However, the new lighting design delivered 5000K modules for the office, providing bright, crisp illumination, to create a productive working environment for staff, as well as a welcoming environment for visitors.
Wellbeing makes people happier, more comfortable
“Initially people were unsure about the cooler colour temperature,” said Helen, “But very quickly people adjusted and remarked on how much better the lighting was. There always needs to be a focus on wellbeing, it makes people happier, more comfortable, and as a result it naturally makes people more productive, which is also important for us as a business.”
Commercial case
The benefits in terms of productivity include a national increase in GDP of over £20bn. Improving the lighting system in workplaces – as has been demonstrated at Homelet – can help to realise these benefits.
Find more content on lighting for wellbeing here.
Content Team
Work in Mind is a content platform designed to give a voice to thinkers, businesses, journalists and regulatory bodies in the field of healthy buildings.
