USGBC Says Workplace Happiness, Health & Productivity Delivered in LEED Buildings
A new survey by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) shows 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 revealed 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.
USGBC’s Mahesh Ramanujam says, “Employees know that green building programs like LEED help companies to develop responsible, sustainable and specific plans for green energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors accountable for the human experience.”
When it comes to choosing a new job, findings showed that 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,” continued Ramanujam. “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.
Further, 85% of employees in LEED-certified buildings also say their access to quality outdoor views and natural sunlight boosts their overall productivity and happiness, with 80% saying 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.
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