Employees Are Happier and More Productive in LEED Green Buildings

Employees who work in LEED-certified green buildings are healthier, happier, and more productive compared to employees in conventional and non-LEED buildings, according to a new survey published recently by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The survey also reveals that most of the office workers want to work for companies that are value-oriented, take firm stands on significant issues like sustainability, and do their bit to make a positive difference in the world. Actually, 84% of the respondents wish to work for a company that has a robust, concrete mission and positive values.

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.

Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC

With regards to selecting a new job, findings reveal that people's decisions were swayed by whether or not the office was in a LEED-certified building. Over 90% of the respondents in LEED-certified green buildings say they are content on the job and 79% say they would pick 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 associated with better productivity, health, and wellness, and the survey revealed that these attributes, as well as a space that provides clean and superior-quality indoor air, directly add to employees feeling cheerful and satisfied at work. Over 80% of respondents say that being productive on the job and having access to clean, superior-quality indoor air adds to their total workplace happiness.

Furthermore, 85% of employees in LEED-certified buildings also state their access to quality outdoor views and natural sunlight enhances their total productivity and happiness, and 80% say the improved air quality boosts their physical health and comfort.

The survey, conducted by Porter Novelli for USGBC, included 1,001 workers in the U.S. who are working full-time or part-time, or self-employed but work in an office building location.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was formulated by USGBC and is the world's most extensively used green building rating system with over 94,000 projects participating in 167 countries and territories. Besides concentrating on strategies that help tackle climate change, LEED prioritizes actions that encourage the health and well-being of the people within buildings and spaces.