How Innovative Building Design Fosters Employee Wellbeing, Engagement & Satisfaction
By Steve Weiand
Vice President of Sales & Development, Energy & Construction Services, Sodexo
Over the course of my 35-year career in energy and construction, I’ve watched as trends in office design have evolved from being merely a space to get work done to a true working environment that fosters social interaction, collaboration, knowledge-sharing and best of all, productivity. Even though office spaces have evolved to meet the demands of modern working styles, there is still progress to be made and inefficiencies that need to be addressed.
According to a recent report by the World Green Building Council, overwhelming research clearly demonstrates that the design of an office environment has a substantial impact on the health, wellbeing and productivity of its occupants. Employers know that a healthy, happy workforce is essential to productivity and long-term success. But consider this, staff costs including salaries and benefits, can account for as much as 90 percent of a business’ operating costs. Therefore, it is safe to assume that anything negatively affecting employee performance, productivity or engagement should be a major concern for business leaders. While this may seem obvious, many organizations are struggling to put the evidence into action and construct working spaces that propel employee performance, teamwork, creativity and engagement.
