5 Subtle Ways Your Workplace May Be Undermining Wellbeing

We spend 90% of our time indoors and much of that inside our workplaces. Yet most offices are still designed with productivity in mind, not people. As an Architectural Researcher, Designer and WELL AP, I have seen first hand how even the subtlest spatial design choices can create stress, drain focus, and dampen engagement, which is often without anyone realizing the root cause.

In a world increasingly focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibility, employee wellbeing is no longer a nice-to-have. It is now a business imperative. Beyond gym perks or wellness webinars, wellbeing starts with the everyday experience people have at work and the physical space plays a huge role.

The tricky part is that many of the issues harming wellbeing are invisible, or at least subtle. Below are five common, easily overlooked ways your office may be quietly working against your people.

What do you think about this work environment?

Image courtesy: Frantic

1. Poor Lighting and Circadian Disruption

Most office lighting is uninspiring and confusing. Our circadian rhythms (our internal body clocks) are regulated by light exposure. Harsh overhead fluorescents or dim lighting with poor colour rendering can confuse this system, leading to fatigue, irritability, and poor sleep. When we don’t get enough exposure to bright, natural light during the day and aren’t shielded from disruptive light in the evening , our energy, mood, and performance all take a hit.

Yet lighting is often treated as a purely aesthetic or cost-saving decision. This overlooks its powerful influence on hormones like melatonin and cortisol. In addition to the brightness, the timing, temperature (colour), and quality of light all matter. A well-lit space aligned with circadian needs can enhance alertness, reduce mistakes, and even improve recovery from stress.

2. Lack of Variety in Spaces (Focus, Connection, Recharge)

Human beings are not built to do one thing, in one posture, in one place, for eight hours a day. Yet many offices still rely on a one-size-fits-all design, rows of desks and maybe a few meeting rooms. This lack of variety silently works against wellbeing. Employees struggle to find places to focus deeply, connect meaningfully, or take a mindful pause.

Without access to different environments for different modes of work (heads-down focus, social interaction, private reflection), employees feel either overstimulated or isolated. Over time, this depletes cognitive energy and can even raise stress hormones. High-performing teams need choice and control over how and where they work!

3. Noise and Lack of Acoustic Control

Sound is often the invisible stressor in offices. Constant noise from conversations, printers, HVAC systems, or even hallway chatter can increase cognitive load and stress levels, especially in open-plan settings. For many, especially introverts or neurodivergent employees, this sensory bombardment is exhausting.

Poor acoustic design not only undermines focus and memory retention, it also impacts wellbeing on a physiological level. Chronic exposure to noise activates the body's stress response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. And ironically, trying to block it out with headphones can isolate people further and reduce opportunities for spontaneous collaboration. True acoustic wellbeing requires layered strategies including materials, layout and policies to support both privacy and connection.

4. Over-Cluttered Layouts with No ‘Breathing Room’

Many workplaces fall into the trap of trying to maximize every square foot, cramming in desks, storage, and equipment. But humans need visual and spatial relief, a room to breathe, both literally and psychologically. Cluttered environments can trigger low-grade anxiety and reduce our ability to process information effectively.

When every surface is busy and every pathway tight, our nervous system stays subtly on alert. We process the space as “noisy,” even if it is quiet. This constant low-level stress impairs focus, creativity, and even emotional regulation. Thoughtful spatial design, incorporating negative space, clean lines, biophilic elements, and clear sightlines, helps calm the mind and support more restorative work.

5. Mismatch Between Brand Values and Actual Space Experience

This is one of the most overlooked disconnects: the gap between what a company says it stands for and what its physical environment feels like. A company may promote openness, sustainability, and wellbeing but if the office is dark, rigid, noisy, and outdated, the message doesn’t land.

Employees are perceptive. They pick up on this cognitive dissonance, often subconsciously. It erodes trust and engagement. People want to feel that their workplace reflects shared values not just through messaging, but through the actual design of the environment as well. Whether it’s aligning materials with ESG goals, showcasing cultural diversity in artwork, or providing spaces for authentic connection, the physical space should reinforce the organization's identity and care for its people.

It is easy to overlook these environmental factors when assessing performance or engagement issues. But often, it is not just the people, it is the space. That is why I developed the Workplace Wellbeing Audit - a practical, research-informed scan that helps organizations assess their workplace environments and prioritize meaningful improvements.

If you are curious how your workplace stacks up or want to align your environment more closely with your values and wellbeing goals, feel free to reach out. I would love to help you create a thriving workplace!