IAQ, Day-to-Day Comfort Shape Return to Work

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Employees are paying closer attention to whether the workplace feels comfortable and well-managed, according to research from GPS Air, a provider of indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions.

The report shows that indoor air quality and physical comfort are influencing how workers judge the in-person experience and whether it feels worth coming into the office.

To better understand the factors shaping return-to-office perceptions, GPS Air partnered with third-party survey platform Pollfish to survey 750 U.S. adults in non-remote work environments in March 2026.

The “2026 GPS Air Indoor Air Quality Report: The Return-to-Office Reality Check” examines how workplace comfort and indoor air quality are shaping employee perceptions in the return-to-office era.

The results suggest that indoor air quality and physical comfort have become part of how employees evaluate whether the commute is worth it. Respondents also pointed to communication as a factor in whether they trust that leadership is paying attention to workplace conditions.

Key Findings of the 2026 GPS Air Indoor Air Quality Report:

• 61% of workers would choose fresher, more comfortable air over better amenities for a full workday.

• 67% say they would be more willing to work in-person if their company communicated the steps it takes to ensure a comfortable and healthy environment.

• 83% say visible efforts to improve workplace comfort and safety would make them feel more respected as an employee.

• 66% say improved ventilation, airflow, or temperature control would help reassure them that their workplace is being actively managed.

• 52% want either weekly updates or always-available visibility into workplace conditions, while another 34% want at least occasional updates.

• 83% say noticeable workplace conditions, such as cleanliness, odors, and dust, influence their confidence in leadership, with 50% calling the impact very or extremely influential.

“Employees are looking beyond appearances and paying closer attention to whether a workplace feels comfortable, cared for, and actively managed,” said Audwin Cash, CEO of GPS Air. “Indoor air quality is now part of how they decide whether a workplace is worth returning to. Making those conditions more visible can help employers build trust, reinforce respect and give employees more confidence coming in.”

Visit the full 2026 GPS Air Indoor Air Quality Report: The Return-to-Office Reality Check on the GPS Air website for the complete survey results and additional insights.

GPS Air creates technology that cleans indoor air while cutting energy costs. The company's patented Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) technology is installed in over 300,000 schools, offices, healthcare facilities and airports worldwide.

Learn more at gpsair.com.