We have had a very wet June and the weather significantly impacts businesses in different ways, ranging from products, customers, suppliers to property.

In the financial year 2017, 73 companies (15 per cent) of the S&P 500 publicly disclosed an effect on earnings from weather events. However, does a change in local weather have an effect on employee performance?

The performance of employees is affected by weather conditions, according to Intelligent HQ. Indeed, the Greek ‘father of medicine’ Hippocrates wrote about how the weather and climate affected humans and nations back in 400BC. He observed how people living in other locations and cities are affected physically and with different illnesses by the weather and climate of that specific area. Indeed, there are recent studies that have concluded that the condition of those people who are highly sensitive to the weather and climate with their emotions, mental health, behavioural health and physical health have a condition called ‘SAD’ (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Some studies indicate about 50% of humans seem to be significantly affected by weather and climate. Research has found that many people actively adjust their behaviour and activities to counter or adjust to weather conditions and climate. On cloudy, rainy, stormy, hot, and cold days, many people will try and find fun positive activities and social activities to counter the poor weather conditions and influences.

If employee performance and business results are affected by different weather conditions, what could companies do to mitigate for such differences? Viola Lloyd published an article in The HR Director suggesting the there is a need to train managers to be prepared to cope with local climate changes and have procedures in place to deal with particularly hot and cold working days. Further, Invest Northern Ireland says companies should consider ways to manage employee absence due to bad weather and putting systems in place, e.g. home working which can reduce the impact of extreme weather events. It has also been suggested that organisations could take measures to improve the comfort of employees, such as providing clothing for inclement weather, blinds, natural ventilation or insulation.

Back to the current UK weather. A rainy day (especially in ‘flaming’ June) is a gloomy day. Employee mood will generally be lower as there is no sunlight to cheer them up. However, it has been said that rain does not always have a negative impact on employee productivity as less motivated employees are known to simply complete their daily tasks quickly and efficiently to head home and hopefully stay dry.

Further, certain team members with a more proactive personality and work ethic will experience heightened productivity on a rainy day. When an employee looks out of the window and sees rain and clouds, they prefer to stay indoors at the office. Therefore, they will stay at work longer, and complete work faster as they are not distracted by temptations of outdoor activities.

Thus, if you find that your team is predominantly negatively affected by rainy days – give them something to cheer them up. Something as simple as treating everyone in the office to hot coffee/tea and pastries will put the team in the right mood. I do note that if my boss promised to bring in cakes and hot coffee/tea when it was a gloomy, wet day I think I would be putting on plenty of extra pounds and have a caffeine overload!

Coppice HR cannot change the weather or even give an accurate forecast, but we can help with HR issues, including solutions to improve a poor workplace culture and employee absence. Contact us on 07814 008478, paul@coppicehr.com or www.coppicehr.com.

Inspired by: Intelligent HQ – How The Weather Can Your Business, The HR Director – How The Weather Affects Business, NI Business Info – Employee Absence Due To Bad Weather and Resume Target – How Weather Affects Employee Productivity.