NEW YORK (Reuters) - A quarter of U.S. workers complain of working in gloomy environments that they say could be improved with windows that open or better-looking colleagues, according to a survey released on Wednesday.
The workplaces considered depressing were cramped, noisy or smelly, had no natural light or poor ventilation or offered no privacy, according to a study conducted by Echo Research for Ambius, an interior landscaping and workplace design company.
According to the survey, 25 percent of respondents complained of working in such unpleasant offices.
Looking at ways to improve their surroundings, 37 percent of those surveyed chose windows that can be opened, 16 percent chose brightly colored walls, 11 percent said more attractive colleagues and 7 percent opted for a more pleasant odor, the survey said.
Three-quarters said the environment has a substantial impact on employee happiness and motivation and, on average, a third said they would be more productive in a more attractive environment.
Three-quarters of workers also said office surroundings are important when considering potential employers.
The telephone survey was conducted for Ambius among a random sample of 426 U.S. adults employed full-time between April 11 and April 14. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.75 percentage points.
Ambius' North American offices are based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and it is a division of Rentokil Initial.
(Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

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