When talking lighting with a business owner, it can be useful to mention that lighting is one of the most important tools a business owner purchases for his most valued asset, the employee. According to the US Dept. of Labor, a private business in the U.S. spends over $50K a year on total employee compensation making ones staff often the largest single cost for most businesses. Glary or inadequate lighting has been proven to reduce employee productivity and increase absentee time.

So, why wouldn’t an owner spend a one time extra $100 - $300 per employee to mitigate that? Probably, because they were not educated or given the choice. Once buy in is established with the owner, it is much easier to direct them away from the standard lensed troffer or parabolic and promote a better solution such as a recessed direct/indirect or a suspended indirect fixture. I have also seen full range fluorescent dimming systems give employees valued control over their lighting. It is amazing what a person will do if you give them choices.

The bottom line is, for the cost of one day’s wages a business can upgrade their employees lighting system and give them years of benefits that will pay back big dividends. It should be a no-brainer.

- Patrick O'Flaherty