Many of the UK’s workplaces are unpleasant, uncomfortable and at risk of driving down productivity, according to a new survey from Aspect.co.uk. The poll of 2,000 people claims that 83 percent of UK adults consider their workplace to be an “unpleasant” environment, with many citing uncomfortable temperatures, lack of natural light, unpleasant smells, damp and mould, poor ventilation and even vermin and insects among their complaints. The study set out to identify the most common causes of employee discomfort at work. On the whole, issues related to physical comfort were the most common complaints. 46 percent complained of workplaces that were “too hot”, 43 percent complained of workplaces being “too cold” and 28 percent complained of workplaces having poor ventilation.

Workplace amenities were also a cause for concern. 21 percent complained about the condition of bathrooms, 16 percent cited shabbiness of flooring and carpets and 14 percent bemoaned their workplace’s poor quality fixtures and fittings. Other issues included intrusive noises, food smells, insect problems and dripping taps.

Employers ought to go further than simply meeting health and safety requirements to ensure workplaces are as pleasant and comfortable as possible

Workers aged 25-34 were the most likely to complain about their working environment and workers aged 55 and over were least likely to do the same. The condition of the UK’s workplaces appears to affect women and men differently too.

While women were only marginally more likely than men to consider their place of work to be unpleasant, women and men do tend to have different complaints. Water temperature, shabby flooring, condition of bathrooms, workplaces being too cold and food smells were more likely to be a problem for women. Sewage smells, intrusive sounds, insects, leaks and pests were more of a cause for concern for men.