Why Workplace Wellness Is Sweeping The Office Market
Workplace wellness is becoming a top consideration for office users, and lack of attention to the trend could impact leasing activity.
Written by Kelsi Borland
Workplace wellness has seen an explosion in popularity. For company owners, incorporating wellness programs into the workplace has been integral to competing for top talent, and for office owners, workplace wellness programs have become important to competing for the top tenants. Workplace wellness has three pillars: physical, cognitive and emotional wellness. All three contribute to creating a better workplace with a happier and healthier workforce, according to Nick Greenko of Tangram Interiors, a design firm that has been active in incorporating workplace wellness programs in offices.
“Silicon Valley companies, such as Google and Amazon, have formed a culture that gives employees more power than ever before to choose what they want in their workplace environments,” Greenko, CFO at Tangram Interiors, tells GlobeSt.com. “While most employers may not be able to afford onsite dry cleaning or daily yoga classes, they can offer employees peace of mind in knowing that they care about their wellbeing in other, less costly ways. For example, height adjustable benching, healthy snacks and access to nature or biophilia within the office show an employer’s care for their employees’ health and wellness. A lack of attention to wellness can cost a company their employees or potential talent. The environment and the “perks” play a huge role in attracting and retaining employees, so wellness with its many iterations is no longer an option, it’s a necessity.”
Workplace wellness is really all about increasing employee moral and wellbeing has a path to creating a better workplace and a workplace where employees want to be. It has become an office amenity that employees look for when considering a company. “Environment and experience affect innovation, creativity and productivity,” says Greenko. “Overall employee wellbeing leads to more engaged and happy workers, which will then lead to a better quality of work and ultimately, an increase in bottom line.”
Employers are responding to the trend by incorporating height adjustable workstations, walk stations, increased natural light, biophilia and relaxed lounge spaces into the workplaces, according to Greenko. Tangram has also created an internal wellness program at its offices, and has even held a Biggest Loser Challenge twice a year, and it provides fresh fruit and healthy snacks to the staff throughout the year.
While employers are integral to workplace wellness, so are property owners. “They should be approaching it as a non-negotiable,” says Greenko. “Because of the younger generation entering the workforce, there is more value than ever before placed on the office interior, company culture and the daily experience. The moment owners start addressing these three things, the more tenants they will attract and retain.”
Originally Posted on GlobeSt.com
