Report finds links between office design, health and productivity
A new report from the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) finds “overwhelming evidence” to support office design as a significant influencer of the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Offices: The Next Chapter for Green Building says that a range of factors including air quality and lighting, views of nature, and interior layout can impact the health, satisfaction and job performance of office workers. The report provides a simple toolkit that businesses can use to measure the health, wellbeing and productivity of their buildings.
With salaries and benefits typically responsible for 90% of an organization’s expenditures, any higher construction or occupation costs are far outweighed by even small improvements in staff performance, the report concludes.
“Most businesses are already sitting on a treasure trove of information that can have an immediate impact on their two biggest expenses – people and buildings,” says Jane Henley, World GBC CEO. “Understanding the relationship between the two can help businesses achieve significant competitive advantage.”