The competition for talent has entered a new phase. Compensation and traditional benefits are still as important as ever, but today’s candidates are evaluating workplaces through a broader lens. Increasingly, that lens includes the quality of the indoor environment, especially the air they breathe every day.

According to the 2026 Indoor Air Quality Survey, employees’ perception of what makes a desirable workplace has changed in an unexpected way. Sixty-one percent of workers say they would choose fresher, more comfortable air over better amenities for a full workday. Employees care about comfort and air quality now more than ever. It’s moved from background noise to a defining factor in their workplace experience.

For leaders managing rising benefits costs and evolving workforce expectations, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

The New Definition of Workplace Value

For years, workplace amenities were the competitive edge. Perks like fitness centers and collaborative workplaces became key differentiators on the careers page. However, employees are looking beyond the typical perks.

They’re going back to the fundamentals. Employees want to feel comfortable and safe in their daily routines. Air quality plays a direct role in that experience, even if it’s not always visible.

Temperature and airflow rank as the top drivers of productivity at 57%, edging out cleanliness and tidiness at 47%. These are daily, physical realities that may impact how employees perform and whether they leave at the end of the day feeling the office was worth the commute.

When employees arrive at work, 53% say temperature and airflow are the first things they notice, shaping how they’ll feel for the rest of the day. That means before a meeting begins or a laptop opens, employees have already formed a judgment about the quality of the environment around them. CEOs spend considerable energy on employer brand and culture. This data suggests that they should be thinking about how much and how fast the physical environment informs employee perception

What Employees Are Really Saying About Leadership

Forward-thinking executives understand that workforce sentiment is rarely about one thing in isolation. In all, 83% of workers say noticeable workplace conditions, such as cleanliness, odor management, and dust control, influence their confidence that leadership is prioritizing a well-managed work environment, with 50% saying those conditions are very or extremely influential.

That’s a significant finding for any CEO focused on culture and retention. Employees are reading the physical environment as a signal of organizational priorities. A space that feels neglected communicates something to the people working in it, even when no memo has been sent, and no policy has changed.

Eighty-three percent of workers say visible efforts to improve workplace comfort and safety would make them feel more respected as employees. Respect as an outcome of facilities investment may not appear in a traditional ROI model, but it shows up in engagement scores, retention rates, and the quality of candidates willing to accept an offer.

The costs of getting this wrong are real. When the environment feels off, 18% of workers say they decide to work from home at the next opportunity. For organizations navigating return-to-office expectations, that opt-out is worth paying attention to. Another 19% say they express their concerns among coworkers, which means a poorly maintained environment doesn’t stay a private frustration for long.

The Bigger Picture for C-Suite Strategy

Employee benefits costs have risen steadily for years, and the pressure on HR and finance teams to justify every line item is real. What this data invites C-suite leaders to consider is that the definition of “benefits” has expanded in employees’ minds. A workspace that consistently delivers clean, comfortable air is a benefit and can be more cost-effective than adding a premium wellness program or upgrading a cafeteria.

Sixty-seven percent of workers say they would be more willing to come to work in person if their company communicated the steps it takes to ensure a comfortable and healthy environment. That means transparency about indoor environmental quality can be a smart tactic for meeting both facilities and workforce goals. Communication about ventilation upgrades, air quality monitoring, or maintenance protocols can directly make the office more attractive without requiring new policy mandates.

The best candidates today have options. Many have spent years with flexibility built into their work lives, and they’re not giving that up lightly. To attract and retain top talent, companies need to make their offices feel like genuine destinations. Well-designed lobby and stocked kitchens aren’t enough. When asked what would most reassure them that their workplace is being actively managed, 66% of workers pointed to improved ventilation, airflow, or temperature control.

The destination experience employees are looking for is, at its core, a healthy one.

More than half of workers (52%) say they want either weekly updates or always-available visibility into workplace conditions, and another 34% want at least occasional updates. CEOs have an opportunity to build trust by making this kind of transparency routine.

Do What’s Right For Your Employees and Your Facility

The most effective executives are already thinking about indoor air quality as a strategic variable rather than a maintenance line item. They recognize that a workforce performing in a healthy, comfortable environment helps promote employee productivity and loyalty. 

This is an opportunity to do what is right for your facility and your employees at the same time. The GPS Air report indicates that investing in the indoor environment is one of the clearest examples of organizational values made visible. Employees notice, and when they’re satisfied that the air is clean and cared for, they’re more likely to do their best work.