Fellowes' 2024 Annual International Day of Clean Air Survey finds disparities in workplace air quality perceptions, expectations; just 35% of respondents describe workplace indoor air quality as 'very clean,' 90% say clean indoor air is essential for work

September 23, 2024 (press release) –

Survey reveals significant global discrepancies between workplace air quality perceptions & expectations

Fellowes, a global leader and trusted partner that provides product solutions to fulfill a broad range of WorkLife needs, announces the results of its third annual 2024 Annual International Day of Clean Air Survey. Fellowes conducts this proprietary survey each year as part of its commitment to understanding workers’ needs and concerns to better help building owners and employers meet those needs. “Indoor air quality (IAQ) literally impacts people’s every breath,” commented Arti Lyde, Global General Manager, Air Quality Management at Fellowes. “Our yearly survey allows us to understand global pain points related to IAQ, follow developing trends in worker IAQ knowledge and concern levels, and contribute these insights to ongoing IAQ improvement discussions.”

This year’s comprehensive survey canvassed 1,994 adults across the U.S., Canada, France, UK, Italy, and Germany who work indoors at least one full day per week. The survey’s findings reveal a stark contrast between real-time perceptions and expectations of IAQ, underscoring the critical need for continued focus on workplace indoor air quality. Here are some key takeaways from this year’s survey and some trend comparisons to previous years:

1. Global Perception of Clean Air: Only 35% of all respondents across the surveyed countries described the indoor air quality at their workplace as "very clean." Even in the U.S., where this sentiment was the highest at 52%, a large swath of the respondents still did not find the IAQ where they work up to their standards.
2. Demand for Air Purification: Among respondents who did not rate their workplace air as "very clean," the majority indicated that providing air purification units would increase their confidence in workplace air quality. This sentiment was strongest in Italy (72%) and the UK (67%), followed closely by Germany (67%) and the U.S. (60%).
3. Confidence-Boosting Measures in the U.S.: A majority of U.S. respondents who felt their workplace air was “very clean” attributed this primarily to 1) access to real-time IAQ data and status (71%), 2) building certifications like LEED, Fitwel, WELL (57%), and 3) visible air purification units (57%).
4. Impact on Performance: A resounding 90% of all respondents affirmed that clean indoor air is essential for performing their best work. Specifically, 90% of U.S. respondents agreed, an increase in sentiment over last year’s 87%. Additionally, this belief was particularly strong among Canadian respondents, with 93% asserting the importance of clean air on their ability to deliver their best performance at work.
5. Universal Right to Clean Air: An overwhelming 92% of all respondents agreed that clean indoor air should be a right for all employees. This view was most prevalent among Canadian workers, with 94% supporting this notion, up from 91% in the previous year.
6. Employee Retention Concerns in the U.S.: Alarmingly, 64% of U.S. workers indicated they would consider leaving their current employer due to poor indoor air quality, nearly doubling last year’s 34%. About one-third of respondents from other countries would also consider leaving their employer due to poor indoor air quality, a concerningly large percentage for employers.
7. Hybrid Workers’ Preferences: In the U.S., 67% of hybrid workers stated that seeing increased evidence of air quality considerations, such as visible purification units, access to IAQ data, and healthy building certifications, would make them more likely to work in-office more frequently.
8. Importance of Indoor Air Quality Transparency: 82% of all respondents expressed that it is important for employers to share information about the quality of air in the workplace. This sentiment was strongest among Canadian workers (87%), followed closely by those in the U.S. (84%).
9. Workplace Priorities: 36% of U.S. and Canadian respondents ranked a clean indoor workspace, including indoor air quality, as the most important factor when choosing a new job. This preference surpassed other popular perks, such as health allowances/stipends (25%) and free coffee/snacks (12%).

The Growing Demand for Improved IAQ

“Workers today are more aware than ever of the impact that poor air quality can have on their health,” said Lyde. “The significant rise in the number of employees who would consider leaving their jobs over poor air quality highlights the urgency for businesses to take additional actions to provide effective indoor air quality management solutions. Providing clean, safe air is not just a health imperative—for businesses, it’s a strategic imperative.”

The survey data indicates that demonstrating a commitment to indoor air quality through visible purification units, real-time IAQ data and status, and building certifications like LEED, Fitwel, and WELL is the best way to assure workers that their air is healthy. Fellowes’ Array indoor air quality management system is designed to fulfill each of these needs, better aligning with workers' real-time air quality expectations. Array features networked air purification units that use advanced HEPA filtration to remove 99.95% of pollutants down to 0.1 microns, viruses, and allergens from a designated area. Array also collects and reports real-time IAQ data and insights to facility managers through its cloud-based Viewpoint dashboard. Building occupants can access key IAQ metrics for a designated space through wall mounted or stand Array Lookout local displays as well as the Community Dashboard.

With the average person spending 90% of their time indoors and an ever increasing awareness of the impact of IAQ on personal health, productivity, and overall well-being, the importance of clean indoor air cannot be overstated. Fellowes, with over 15 years of expertise in air purification, has developed the Array system to help businesses address the growing concerns over air quality effectively.

About Fellowes

Celebrating its 107th year under the private ownership and executive leadership of the Fellowes family, Fellowes is a global leader and trusted partner that provides product solutions to fulfill a broad range of WorkLife needs that enable greater productivity, wellness, and inspiration. Throughout its history, Fellowes has been grounded in its purpose to “serve at the intersection of family, innovation, quality and care.” Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, USA, Fellowes operates from 24 locations across the globe. For more information, please visit Fellowes.com. 

About the Survey

Fellowes fielded the 2024 Annual International Day of Clean Air survey online between August 6 and August 13, 2024, using the SurveyMonkey Audience panel. The survey included 1,994 respondents from the U.S., Canada, France, UK, Italy, and Germany, with a margin of error of +/- 2.2% at a 95% confidence level. The survey targeted adults 18+ who work indoors at least one full day per week.

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