Oh yes please. I work as a games programmer at a massive studio and it looks like 90% of people here prefer complete darkness during the day, to the point where they have these umbrella-like covers above their desks to cover any light from the lamps that somehow miraculously are still on. Me and few other people occupy a little corner next to a window that we stubbornly refuse to close the blinds on, despite bi-weekly requests to do so from our artists. If I had to work in the darkness I'd genuinely consider leaving - it gives me a headache.
The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
71–80 of 348 posts
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#72Is this really considered a perk? It is a bit like getting paid is a perk. I work in Germany where direct access to natural sunlight is part of our OH&S policies.
I was going to write that as well. I worked at a place that had automatic curtains which covered the windows when it was sunny out. It immediately felt like a prison when they went down and that was a standing joke among employees.
I can't even imagine working in a place like that 8 hours a day. I would probably rather live in the woods or something.
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
In a work environment? I find it hard to believe you spend 8 hours every day lying on your back staring at the ceiling. If you do, it absolutely can't be healthy.
> If you do, it absolutely can't be healthy. Compared to what, sitting? We already spend 8 hours "lying on our back" every day -- sleeping, and we have evolved for it. It also puts little pressure in our body compared to sitting for hours on end.
It actually quite a hard thing to quantify, if I sit up in my wheelchair for too long you end up with pressure sores but on the other side lying down for too long can affect lung function and muscle tone which can make it difficult to eat which leads to all sorts of terrible ickyness.*
I think once you become quadriplegic you have bigger problems than your position when using your computer, but overall user on your back is definitely better for me than sitting up in my chair.
* Yes, that is the correct medical term.
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#74lol, the anti-remote propaganda gets more ridiculous every day.
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
My bad, forgot a probably pertinent piece of information. I am quadriplegic. Whilst technically yes I am in a work environment because I run my own company from home, you are quite correct that I am not in a work environment with other people. Mea culpa, Mea maxima culpa.
"probably pertinent piece of information" - lol, quite the understatement!
I know, right? But I really, truly do forget sometimes. It's been over 10 years since I became quadriplegic, and I am old now so I'm allowed to forget things I think. :-)
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#76We just moved into a new office and one of the best things about it is that we now have small offices and I can keep the curtains closed and the lights off all day. Why would you want more light, especially natural light ? I never open my curtains at home either.
Using a computer screen in a lit room is far better for your eyes than using it in dark room. Natural light is a necessity for preventing myopia in developing eyes.
Not sure about the science here, but I have found the opposite to be true for me. I love natural light and crave it while I work. However, I have found that if the room is just a little too bright I will end up with severe eye strain and headaches after a day of work. Ambient light is the unfortunate cause.
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's a fair bit of evidence that not seeing natural light has health effects, AIUI. In that sense, it's just like any other workplace health and safety rule.
It's not even just about seeing, we get most of our vitamin D from sunlight.
That's from UVB light, which doesn't really penetrate windows effectively.
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#78Every day I am the first to show up at my company, and I get maybe ~ 1 hour of nice, quiet work time with low lighting from the windows with overhead lights off. Then the second person who comes in every day shows up and flips all the overhead lights on every god damn day. When I’m working and the lights flip, I get a sense of rage and depression. I think it will be the reason why I quit this job.
I don't want to condescend but have you tried talking to the person switching on the lights? Maybe you could come to a compromise.
It'll just be the third or fourth person then. Talk to the office manager if you want to enforce a natural light time from the top.
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#79Is this really considered a perk? It is a bit like getting paid is a perk. I work in Germany where direct access to natural sunlight is part of our OH&S policies.
Next perk they gonna get is "breathable air"
Not sure if sarcasm, but that is a perk in some places: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmn7tjSNyAA&feature=youtu.be
Re: The #1 Office Perk? Natural Light
#80That's a great excuse to keep open space floor plan. "This way all 100 of you can have windows."
Whatever it takes for the architect to be able to sleep at night. Then during construction, the client can tell the builder to obscure the whole wall of windows with conference rooms and managers' offices.