61% of Workers Would Trade Better Amenities for Fresher Air at Work, GPS Air Survey Finds

New report shows indoor air quality and day-to-day comfort are shaping how employees judge return-to-office plans.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As return-to-office expectations continue to evolve, employees are paying closer attention to whether the workplace feels comfortable and well-managed. New research from GPS Air, a leading provider of indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions, shows that indoor air quality and physical comfort are influencing how workers judge the in-person experience and whether it feels worth the trip.

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.

About GPS Air

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. GPS Air recently introduced smartIAQ®, an intelligent clean air system that improves air quality while reducing energy and equipment costs. All GPS Air products are tested to ASHRAE standards, certified to UL 2998 for zero ozone emissions, and the company is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, GPS Air welcomes visitors to experience its technology firsthand at its new Experience Center. Learn more at gpsair.com.