The need for healthy workplaces
Since ‘sick building syndrome’ was first identified as an issue in the 1980s, employers have stepped up their efforts to improve the workplace environment. After all, we spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors, so it’s important that the spaces where we work support our wellbeing.
The need for healthy workplaces is even more important today, as we transition to a knowledge-based economy. With 92 percent of a company’s operating costs1 linked directly to personnel expenses, anything that can be done to improve people’s productivity is beneficial.
Research suggests that the benefits of investing in a healthy workplace justify the cost. For example, 79 percent of building owners2 who invested in a healthy building strategy saw better employee satisfaction and engagement. Employee surveys indicate that highly engaged employees can improve business performance by 30 percent3.
Healthy buildings are more valuable, too. Nearly three-quarters of building owners reported that healthier buildings were easier to lease and more attractive to premium tenants. And 62 percent saw a positive impact on the building’s value4, meaning sustainable features can potentially affect resale rates5.
