Younger employees would resign over poor Indoor Air Quality: report

Younger employees in the workplace would consider leaving their job because of poor indoor air quality (IAQ), according to a new report. 

 Fellowes’ 2025 International Day of Clean Air Survey revealed that nearly 40% of all respondents in the US would resign because of poor air quality at work. 

This figure is higher for Gen Z (50%) and Millennial (44%) employees, compared with Gen X (34%) and Baby Boomers (18%), according to the report. 

Jason Jones, Director of Air Quality Management at Fellowes, said their findings indicate that workplace expectations are evolving, with clear indoor air now part of employees’ consideration. 

“While employees of all ages value a healthy work environment, younger generations are far more likely to view clean indoor air as an expectation in their workplace,” Jones said in a statement. 

“As their numbers grow, this shift will only accelerate, making indoor air quality a vital factor in how companies attract and retain talent.” 

Very clean workplace air 

The findings come as only 52% of the report’s respondents described the air in their workplace as very clean. 

Despite this, only 61% believe their employer is taking the right steps to ensure healthy air quality in the workplace. 

According to the report, 66% of employees believe that their employer is responsible for maintaining clean indoor air at work. Among the steps they suggested are: 

• Installing air purification units (49%) 

• Updating the HVAC system (45%) 

• Visible use of IAQ Monitors (36%) 

• Access to real-time IAQ data (36%) 

Being transparent about the IAQ also helps, according to the report, as 78% of respondents said it’s important their employer shares information about indoor air quality. 

More than half of employees (53%) also said they took personal steps to improve indoor air quality at work, such as bringing an air purifier, opening a window, or adding plants. 

“The survey shows a clear shift in employee awareness of indoor air quality and its impact on their health, comfort, and performance,” Jones said. 

“As that awareness accelerates, so does the expectation that employers will actively monitor and manage air quality with the same rigour as any other building system. Clean air is no longer a perk; it’s a baseline.” 

 Original – https://www.hcamag.com/nz/news/general/younger-employees-would-resign-over-poor-indoor-air-quality-report/548777