According to a new recently released survey from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), employees who work in LEED-certified green buildings are happier, healthier, and more productive than employees in conventional and non-LEED buildings. The survey also shows that a majority of office workers want to work for companies that are value-oriented, take stances on important issues like sustainability, and do their part for making a positive difference in the world. In fact, 84% of respondents prefer to work for a company that has a strong, concrete mission and positive values.
When it comes to choosing a new job, findings show that people’s decisions were influenced by whether or not the workplace was in a LEED-certified building. More than 90% of respondents in LEED-certified green buildings say they are satisfied on the job and 79% say they would choose a job in a LEED-certified building over a non-LEED building.
“We discovered that today’s employees are more motivated than ever to work for a company that promotes not just a higher standard of living for its employees, but also of its community,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC. “In today’s highly competitive job market, if companies want to attract and retain highly-skilled, talented employees, they must demonstrate a commitment to environmental, human, and economic sustainability.”
LEED buildings are linked to improved productivity, health, and wellness, and the survey showed that these attributes, as well as a space that provides clean and high-quality indoor air, directly contribute to employees feeling happy and fulfilled at work. More than 80% of respondents say that being productive on the job and having access to clean, high-quality indoor air contributes to their overall workplace happiness.
In addition, 85% of employees in LEED-certified buildings also say their access to quality outdoor views and natural sunlight boosts their overall productivity and happiness, and 80% say the enhanced air quality improves their physical health and comfort.
The survey, conducted by Porter Novelli on behalf of USGBC, included 1,001 workers in the U.S. who are employed full-time or part-time, or self-employed but work in an office building setting.
Related Stories
| Oct 25, 2011
Commitment to green building practices pays off
The study, conducted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, built on a good indication of the potential for increased productivity and performance pilot research completed two years ago, with similarly impressive results.
| Oct 20, 2011
UNT receives nation’s first LEED Platinum designation for collegiate stadium
Apogee Stadium will achieve another first in December with the completion of three wind turbines that will feed the electrical grid that powers the stadium.
| Oct 20, 2011
Stellar hires Navy veteran Taylor as vice president
Stellar’s federal experience includes military exchanges (large retail stores on military bases), lodging facilities for military personnel, fuel stations, youth activities centers and recreational centers.
| Oct 19, 2011
System for installing grease duct enclosures achieves UL listing
Updated installation results in 33% space savings.
| Oct 17, 2011
THOUGHT LEADER: Allan Bilka, Senior Staff Architect and Secretariat to the IGCC
Allan Bilka, RA, is a Senior Staff Architect and Secretariat to the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) with the International Code Council, based in the ICC’s Chicago district office. He also serves as staff liaison to the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard. He has written several ICC white papers on green building and numerous green-related articles for the ICC. A registered architect, Bilka has over 30 years of combined residential design/build and commercial consulting engineering experience.
| Oct 17, 2011
USGBC L.A. Chapter's Green Gala to feature Jason McLennan as keynote speaker
Chapter to presents inaugural Sustainable Innovation Awards,
| Oct 12, 2011
FMI’s Construction Outlook: Third Quarter 2011 Report
Construction Market Forecast: The general economy is seeing mixed signs.
| Oct 11, 2011
Pink light bulbs donated to Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
For every Bulbrite Pink Light Bulb that is purchased through the Cancer Center Thrift Shop, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to help support breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.
| Oct 7, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Demand response partnership program announced at Greenbuild 2011
Program will use USGBC’s newly revised LEED Demand Response credit as an implementation guideline and leverage its relationships with the building community to foster adoption and participation in existing utility and solution provider demand response offerings.
| Oct 7, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Otis Elevator announces new contracts for sustainable building projects
Wins reinforce Otis’ position as leader in energy-efficient products.
