Bad office space can increase employee turnover, a study finds.

According to the study, conducted by Blumberg Capital Partners, a real estate investment management firm in Coral Gables, Florida,, one in five workers said their office building's condition decreased productivity and motivation. One-third of those polled said they have left jobs or have accepted new ones based on the condition of their office buildings or the amenities offered in their workplaces.

Of the 500 employees who responded to the online survey:

• Managers and professional workers were more likely than clerical and technical workers to say their building's condition affected their productivity and motivation.
• Seventy-eight percent of those who said their office environment affected their motivation and productivity said the building's condition also affected their impression of their employer.
• Extreme temperatures take the top spot when it comes to employee complaints, followed by messy restrooms, outdated décor, rodents or insects, ceiling leaks, and persistent odors. By contrast, respondents said their productivity levels were positively affected by cleanliness, the quality of building maintenance, and security measures.

For more information about the survey, and for a sampling of what office workers said, click here.

Source: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Blumberg Capital Partners.

Written by Jenny Cromie, certified human resources specialist (CHRS)