Why Investing in Employees' Well-being in the Office Makes Sense

This article is the first of a two-part series examining well-being in the workplace and explaining the need for those investments. Part 2 will be a practical guide on implementing space and design solutions to improve employee wellness.

Business leaders and employees alike have pondered the question: “Why does my company need an office?” The answers include collaboration, innovation, mentoring, social interactions, client meetings—but they all revolve around one key element… people. Therefore, when planning workspace, it's crucial to factor in user needs, including physical and mental benefits, physiology, well-being and work styles.

Neurodiversity, wellness, and biophilic design are important concepts in today’s architecture and workplace environments. Today’s ideal office incorporates elements from all three areas.

Exceptional workplaces enable employees to perform at their best. Insights from anthropology and the science of physical environments provide a solid foundation for fostering productivity and enhancing performance. Many prominent organizations now include anthropologists—experts in studying the origin, development, and behavior of humans—on their real estate teams to guide decision-making. In a recent CBRE analysis of office attendance policies, 99% of organizations surveyed have office space available to support their business and employees. As such, employers must critically evaluate whether their workspaces are thoughtfully designed, placing the employees' needs and well-being at the forefront.

Human-centric design is not an option anymore—it is the North Star. As a result, more office fit-outs have increased focus on workplace initiatives such as embracing DE&I and enhancing well-being. This reflects the expanding recognition of the importance of accommodating neurodiversity, prioritizing human well-being and incorporating biophilic design. Addressing each is the roadmap to bringing these concepts to life in workplace standards and practices.

What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the idea that all people think, act, view, feel and experience the world in different ways. There is no “correct” way to think or for the brain to work, and as a result, there are many different ways people go about their workdays, behave, interact and communicate. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of unique neurological conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), among others.

Prioritizing neurodiversity creates an inclusive environment by embracing different perspectives and ways of thinking, which can lead to higher performance, innovation, creativity and employee retention. According to Harvard Business Review, neurodiversity is a competitive advantage in any workplace.

Neurodiversity is a critical aspect of fostering an inclusive and thriving workplace environment, and we believe that all workplaces should accommodate neurodivergence. While we have touched upon its significance, neurodiversity encompasses a rich and multifaceted landscape that warrants a more comprehensive exploration.

How can we define wellness in the workplace?

Wellness is the repetitive practice of healthy habits to improve physical and mental health. It applies to all aspects of an individual’s life, including physical, mental and social well-being.

Figure 1: Five Wellness Pillars:

Workplace wellness encompasses the creation of an environment that actively promotes and enhances the health and overall well-being of employees. Employee wellness impacts their physical and mental health and absenteeism, which directly affects an organization’s financial standing. Put simply, companies suffer adverse financial consequences when employees frequently call out sick. As a result, many companies recognize the importance of prioritizing and investing in workplace wellness initiatives.

What is biophilic design, and when did it emerge?

When biophilia is mentioned, most envision plants and greenery. However, biophilia includes much more. Biophilic design connects space users to natural elements, such as air, water or light. It means that human-created space should take inspiration from nature to feel like an extension of nature’s ecosystem, using natural materials, stone, wood and soothing palettes, i.e., greens, blues, neutrals.

Even though the term has recently gained prominence in workplace strategy, it’s been present in architecture for centuries. Some consider the Hanging Gardens of Babylon one of the first biophilic designs. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans seek connections with nature and other life forms. This idea reflects how we like to spend our free time—on beaches, in the mountains, skiing, hiking and golfing, even owning pets.

Why should office spaces include biophilic elements?

Numerous researchers have studied the positive impact of biophilic design, emphasizing that the results improve well-being and reduce physical and mental health conditions. In addition to health benefits, biophilic design also supports environmental goals, reducing carbon emissions, mitigating the heat island effect and encouraging biodiversity.

Some notable results:

• A Texas A&M University study found that employees with access to daylight in their workplaces experienced a 20% increase in work performance.
• An Environmental Health Perspectives study found that improved indoor air quality resulted in a significant increase (61%) in cognitive function scores for users in green buildings compared to conventional ones. A similar Harvard study confirmed the positive impact of fresh air on cognitive function.
• Based on another study, some cities report economic benefits. A two-year study of crime rates in Chicago public housing with and without greenery found a 52% reduction in felonies, resulting in more than $162,000 in potential annual savings for the Illinois Department of Corrections.
• Commercial real estate investors tend to value buildings with biophilic elements like green rooftops or gardens more than conventional buildings. Buildings with well-being features often command higher rental rates and experience lower vacancy rates due to stronger tenant demand.

Employee well-being in the office is crucial for business success. The key ways to improve well-being are neurodiversity-friendly design, which caters to different work styles, and biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements to create a more calming and productive environment. By investing in user-centric design, businesses can boost creativity, innovation and employee retention.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

*Part 2 coming soon.