Canadian HR Reporter

W ellness is a key consideration for many organiza- tions looking to further engage their workforce, reduce turnover and improve retention. And while much of the attention on workplace wellness has rightly focused on the disruptive and innovative — such as meditation classes, yoga sessions and gamifi ed health apps — equal attention must be paid to one of the fundamentals of health: e environment where people spend their time. e modern offi ce worker spends eight hours per day — at a minimum — at work. at adds up to one-third of every day. ese offi ces are sealed off from the outside, with climate control, noise control and artifi cial lighting. Offi ces are their own miniature material environments, with real im- pacts on the minds, bodies and spirits of people who work there. is means the quality of the offi ce environment will have a signifi cant impact on workers' wellness — and employers that are looking for a com- petitive edge when it comes to recruitment and retention would do well to consider the impact. Air quality While signifi cant progress has been made in improving outdoor air quality through investments in greener transportation — 2014 was the fi rst smog alert- free year the City of Toronto had in decades — more work remains to be done. at is why offi ces built to the new WELL Building Standard — the fi rst certi- fi cation program to measure and certify buildings with a commitment to a healthy interior environment — invest in HVAC systems and operational protocols that work to optimize air quality delivered to tenant spaces. For example, when Toronto-Dominion Centre's tower at 222 Bay St. in Toronto was certifi ed WELL Gold — the fi rst existing building in North America to achieve that distinc- tion — it enhanced the air fi ltration systems with higher-grade carbon fi lters, helping to clean both the outdoor and indoor air supply. Indoor building materials must also be considered, as certain materials can emit pollutants that can lower air quality and damage employees' health. Built environment Too often, modern offi ce workers are sitting at their desks. A sedentary lifestyle not only creates the risk of obesity and heart disease, but also leads to decreased fl exibility, damaged posture ("computer back") and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Employers looking to combat these risks often provide exercise incentives, such as paid gym mem- berships. But the offi ce environment can also be built to encourage daily activity and healthy choices: Promote stairwell use: Stairwells are often an afterthought in interior design. With harsh lighting, concrete and unpleasant off -white paint, it is no surprise many people opt for the much more comfortable elevators. But diff erent design choices — such as paint colours, lighting and motivational nature scenes — can help make the stairwell environment more inviting and pleasant. Provide readily accessible healthy food: Offi ce food courts can often be comparable to "mall food" — high in fat and simple carbohydrates, but tasty and easily accessible. ese create obvious health risks. But eff ective tenant programming and eff ective building design can make healthy food more accessible while encouraging healthier dietary choices among workers. Mental health Cities are noisy places. Outside the TD Centre, commuters must not only contend with the noise of cars, but also the wail of sirens, clatter of streetcars, rumble of subways, and voices of thousands of people in the neighbourhood. In this environment, isolating workers from external noise is critical to help them concentrate and remain productive. at is why the International WELL Building Institute's core and shell certifi cation for healthy buildings includes a mea- surement of interior noise levels, and the level of investment in noise-reducing features such as sound-masking systems, proper ceiling height, and echo-reducing materials on vertical surfaces. But mental health is about more than productivity. It's about people existing and working in a space that is designed to optimize their comfort and reduce their stress. at's about investments in eff ective way-fi nding systems, distinctive artwork, and natural lighting. Bottom line In the modern knowledge economy, the vast majority of money spent is on salary, benefi ts and other related staffi ng costs. In some organizations, this can be upwards of nine times the real estate occupancy costs (rent). is makes a compelling case for greater investments in workplace productivity. And research proves the point: Studies show that improved air quality can boost employee productivity, while the Public Health Agency of Canada has found that physically active IN FOCUS WELLNESS Putting wellness in the walls Investing in a WELL Building can have positive impacts on employees By David Hoffman Credits: Bottom: marvent (Shutterstock), Top: TD Centre INVEST > pg. 14

• Cover