Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity • Hacker News Board

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#41

Post by lightcatcher » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 8:56 PM UTC

trumbitta2 wrote: post #37

Unless you have allergies like me. It may seem a joke, but most of you know someone with allergies to various plants. Just ask them :)

Somewhat seconded. I don't believe I'm allergic to any particular plant, but I'm allergic to mold and I've heard from several doctors that indoor plants often grow a lot of mold in their soil.

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#42

Post by the_cat_kittles » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 8:57 PM UTC

IvyMike wrote: post #19

Funny enough, when the plants show up, in my experience it's a bad sign. I have no proof this conversation happened at the last two places I worked... but I'm pretty sure it did happen. Upper-level manager #1: "The results of the employee morale survey are back. Morale is at an all time low. The employees feel that upper-level management is clueless, they are increasingly unable to do their jobs efficiently because o…

thats like saying soap causes dirtiness- the plants show up because there is already a problem

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#43

Post by epaladin » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 9:05 PM UTC

mrweasel wrote: post #33

nether wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not an option at my workplace. I'm stuck in a windowless office with a door.

That sucks... I'm not even sure that a plant or eight would make that kind of hell hole any better. I'm happy to be in a country where it's actually illegal to make people work in rooms without windows.

Curious- what country? I didn't think there was anywhere that would actually make that illegal. Does that hold true everywhere, such as in industrial/manufacturing complexes, etc?

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#44

Post by mlwarren » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 9:13 PM UTC

The impact plants have on clean indoor air also creates a boost in productivity[1]. This is probably most effective in areas with increased pollution, though.

1. http://www.ted.com/talks/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_grow_your_o...

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#45

Post by calinet6 » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 9:15 PM UTC

Are dead plants better than no plants at all? That's our problem... but it is really nice to have (mostly living) plants around, have to admit.

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#46

Post by TeMPOraL » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 9:51 PM UTC

From my experience, plants (whether in office or at home) attract bees, wasps, mosquitoes and other such annoying nonsense, that tries to bite you, stab you or enter your ears/mouth, and in office, flamethrowering them away with lighter and deodorant is not always an option (due to people not used to fire being afraid of it). Therefore, plants near me usually directly decrease my happiness and productivity.

(EDIT: I'm dead serious here)

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#47

Post by analog31 » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 9:51 PM UTC

calinet6 wrote: post #45

Are dead plants better than no plants at all? That's our problem... but it is really nice to have (mostly living) plants around, have to admit.

I'd accept dead plants in the form of hardwood floors and nice wood furniture. Also, outdoor plants will suffice if visible from inside.

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#48

Post by themgt » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 9:52 PM UTC

I find it amusing the plant they have pictured looks quite possible to be a San Pedro cactus. Office happiness indeed!

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#49

Post by IvyMike » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 10:02 PM UTC

the_cat_kittles wrote: post #42

IvyMike wrote: post #19

Funny enough, when the plants show up, in my experience it's a bad sign. I have no proof this conversation happened at the last two places I worked... but I'm pretty sure it did happen. Upper-level manager #1: "The results of the employee morale survey are back. Morale is at an all time low. The employees feel that upper-level management is clueless, they are increasingly unable to do their jobs efficiently because o…

thats like saying soap causes dirtiness- the plants show up because there is already a problem

They have been a way to try to raise morale without making any meaningful change, addressing root causes, or spending a significant amount of money. If management does address the actual problems and they add plants, that would probably be a good sign--but that's never been my experience.

Re: Plants in offices increase happiness and productivity

#50

Post by bmj1 » Mon, Sep 01, 2014, 10:07 PM UTC

epaladin wrote: post #43

mrweasel wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That sucks... I'm not even sure that a plant or eight would make that kind of hell hole any better. I'm happy to be in a country where it's actually illegal to make people work in rooms without windows.

Curious- what country? I didn't think there was anywhere that would actually make that illegal. Does that hold true everywhere, such as in industrial/manufacturing complexes, etc?

When I was working in Berlin a colleague mentioned that each employee has to be within a certain distance of a window.

Apologies - but I don't have a written source - perhaps someone else can shed some light..