Employees are happier and less likely to be absent when working in buildings with green features, research has shown.
Fresh air ventilation was one of the facilities highlighted as having a significant impact in a commercial environment, as the World Green Building Council released a report to coincide with Earth Day.
Good HVAC servicing is vital to maintaining the right conditions for staff to be healthy and productive, as it reduces the risk of spreading harmful bacteria spreading through the building. It also helps ensure comfortable temperatures, so staff can do their best work without distraction.
Terri Wills, CEO of the World Green Building Council, said the report sends a “clear signal” to employers about how green features can affect profitability as well as productivity, which means they should be a priority.
The organisation studied 11 facilities with certifications such as BREEAM and Green Star, investigating features that included increased daylight, indoor plants and fresh air ventilation systems.
In those buildings, companies saw a decline in employee absenteeism as well as in operating costs, while employees themselves reported feeling healthier and more productive.
“It’s obvious that making energy efficiency improvements will reduce operating costs, but arguably an even greater impact of green improvements are those felt by the people who spend their working lives in these spaces,” said Ms Wills. “Greener workspaces are healthier, more enjoyable places to work, and this has a tangible impact on productivity, employee health and the business bottom line.”
The International WELL Building Institute recently announced its WELL standard has been adopted by nearly 800 projects around the world, as the appetite for biophilic features and greater energy efficiency seems to grow. For those who are unable to benefit from a building that meets such a standard, even small changes to systems and better maintenance can make a big difference to the working day and the bottom line.
