Traditionally, office design focused on productivity, but the conversation has shifted to include a more holistic, person-centered point of view that improves employee performance, increases attraction/retention, and benefits the bottom line.
Today the workspace can promote well-being, an enduring state that encompasses cognitive support, psychological comfort, and physical wellness. It can also lead to engaged and healthy employees. The top five global health issues for professionals are:
- Workplace stress
- Lack of physical activity or movement
- Sleeplessness
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Poor eating habits
The health risks not only affect the person, but also the organization, through absenteeism and increased healthcare costs.
Workplace happiness
Improve engagement, productivity, and health by fostering a happier and more meaningful work experience for your employees. The happiness conversation is an emerging global aspiration. Real happiness — and a meaningful life — is not a short-term emotion. It is an enduring state that can lead to productive, engaged, and healthy employees.
Enhance performance and reduce risk
Focusing on well-being represents a shift from a “space-centric” to a “people-centric” approach in workspace design, resulting in positive outcomes related to quality of life.
Haworth has an ongoing, long-term global research program involving hundreds of people. Based on preliminary results, they have developed several workspace design tips for well-being.
The WELL Building Standard®
The WELL Building Standard® takes a holistic approach to health in the built environment, addressing behaviour, operations, and design. It certifies organizations that are building workspaces to support the physical and mental health of their employees — what we call well-being.