Lighting complaints are a useful early warning
Facilities teams hear the same comments again and again: “it’s too bright”, “it’s gloomy over here”, “I get a headache by the afternoon”, “I can’t see my screen”. It is tempting to treat these as matters of personal taste, but they usually point to something specific and measurable. HSE guidance HSG38 Lighting at work identifies eyestrain, migraine and headaches among the effects of poor lighting, and under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (regulation 8) employers must provide suitable and sufficient lighting. A complaint is a good reason to check.
“The lighting is too bright at work”
Glare from luminaires
Most “too bright” complaints are actually about glare: a bright source in the field of view that causes discomfort, even when the light on the desk is at a normal level. Unshielded LED battens, high-output panels with thin diffusers and fittings directly above or in front of a workstation are common causes. BS EN 12464-1:2021 sets a Unified Glare Rating limit of 19 for office work; installations above that are a frequent source of complaints.
Over-lighting
Some spaces genuinely are over-lit. After a one-for-one LED replacement, offices designed for 500 lx can read far higher. Dimming to the design level saves energy and usually ends the complaints.
Excessive contrast
A bright desk in a room with dark walls and ceiling, or a workstation facing an unblinded window, forces the eye to keep adapting. The 2021 edition of BS EN 12464-1:2021 gives more weight to wall and ceiling illuminance for exactly this reason.
“The lighting is too dim at work”
Genuinely low illuminance
Failed lamps, dirty diffusers, ageing fittings and layouts that no longer match the lighting grid all reduce light at the task. A desk reading 250 lx in an office where the target is 500 lx will draw complaints, especially from older staff, who generally need more light to see the same detail.
Poor uniformity
The room average can be fine while some desks sit in dark bands between luminaires or behind tall furniture. BS EN 12464-1:2021 asks for a uniformity of 0.60 on office task areas, and failures here are behind many “it’s fine over there but dark here” comments.
Wrong light for the task
Fine inspection, technical drawing or reading small print needs more light than general office work. If a task has moved into a space lit for something less demanding, the lighting will feel inadequate. Our recommended lux levels chart lists common targets.
Other common complaints and causes
| What staff say | Likely cause | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| “I can’t see my screen” | Reflections from luminaires or windows | Fitting positions, screen orientation, blinds |
| “The lights flicker” / headaches | Failing tubes or poor LED drivers | Visible flicker, stroboscopic effects |
| “Everything looks washed out” | Low colour rendering or cold colour temperature | Ra and colour temperature of sources |
| “It’s gloomy in here” | Dark walls and ceiling, downlight-only scheme | Wall and ceiling illuminance |
| “Lights keep switching off” | Presence detection set too short or badly placed | Sensor coverage and time delays |
Screen users have specific rights
For anyone who uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their job, the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require lighting that gives appropriate contrast between screen and background, prevents disturbing glare and reflections, and provides adjustable window coverings where daylight falls on the workstation. A complaint about screen glare should feed into the DSE workstation assessment. See our guide to DSE lighting requirements.
How to investigate a lighting complaint
- Record it properly. Note where, when and what. Time of day matters: daylight, low sun and blinds all change conditions.
- Look for the obvious. Failed or flickering lamps, missing diffusers, broken blinds and moved furniture are quick wins.
- Measure. A lux survey records task illuminance, surround levels and uniformity on a grid, compared with BS EN 12464-1:2021 and HSG38. A single spot reading on a phone app is not reliable evidence. See how lux is measured.
- Assess glare and reflections. Record luminaire types, positions and views from the complainant’s seat; check screens for reflected images of fittings or windows.
- Fix and re-check. Make the changes, then re-measure the affected area so you have evidence the issue was dealt with.
Why it is worth acting quickly
Unresolved lighting complaints tend to escalate into absence, formal grievances or reports to HSE. Measured data also takes the subjectivity out of the conversation: you can show staff that a desk now reads 520 lx with acceptable uniformity, or that a glare source has been shielded, rather than debating whether it “feels” right.
Get the complaint measured
Polarity Lux carries out independent lux surveys for offices and commercial premises across London and the South East. For a single problem area a spot check starts from £90; a full single-floor office survey starts from £175. Book a survey and get clear, measured answers to your staff’s lighting complaints. Find out more about our office lux surveys.
Frequently asked questions
Can I complain that the lighting at work is too bright?
Yes. Employers must provide suitable and sufficient lighting, and excessive brightness or glare can cause discomfort and headaches. Raise it with your manager or health and safety representative so it can be assessed.
What lux level should my desk be?
For typical office work including reading, writing and screen use, BS EN 12464-1:2021 recommends a maintained average of 500 lx on the task area.
Can poor lighting cause headaches?
HSE guidance HSG38 lists eyestrain, migraine and headaches among the effects of poor lighting. Glare and flicker are frequent triggers.
Is a phone lux meter app good enough to check a complaint?
Phone apps can show rough differences but are not calibrated instruments. A survey with a calibrated lux meter on a measured grid gives reliable evidence.