Workplace Adaptations and Employee Productivity in Smog-Affected Areas: Addressing the Effects of Environmental Pollution

Abstract

Smog is a growing concern worldwide, affecting both public health and workplace productivity. Yet, its impact on employee performance has received little attention, particularly in developing countries. This study explores how smog influences the health and job performance of public-sector workers in Lahore, Pakistan, using Lawton’s Personal Environment Fit Theory (1973) as a foundation. A survey of 200 employees from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) examined the links between smog awareness, workplace conditions, health, and performance. Results from structural equation modelling showed that higher awareness of smog was linked to reduced performance (β = 0.368, p < 0.05), with employee health playing a central role in this effect (β = –0.406, p < 0.05). However, workplace measures such as adjustments to the environment had little influence (β = –0.075, p > 0.05), indicating that current strategies are not effective in protecting workers. The study highlights that smog undermines employee performance primarily through its negative impact on health. It stresses the need for stronger workplace responses, including air purification systems, flexible working hours, and protective equipment. These findings provide useful guidance for policymakers and employers operating in heavily polluted regions.
Key words: smog, employee performance, workplace well-being, environmental pollution, Personal Environment Fit Theory, Lahore, Pakistan