GN 13.2: Why health and wellbeing is important
Guidance Note Purpose
The purpose of this Guidance Note is to provide asset managers, property managers and facilities managers with information about the importance of health and wellbeing, and how health and wellbeing opportunities can be integrated into real estate.
Context
The real estate sector has matured in recent years by building on the existing focus on health and safety to consider the broader range of physical and mental health issues included within health and wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation defines health and wellbeing as, ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’1
Property management is responding to the increasing interest in health and wellbeing with a range of specialisms. These include, for example, enhanced cleaning regimes, indoor air quality testing and occupier engagement programs.
As real estate navigates towards post-Covid-19 re-occupancy, real estate has a major role to play in supporting the operation of space that is safe and healthy from a mental and physical wellbeing perspective.
Post-pandemic recovery provides a great opportunity to shape assets to provide better indoor environment for occupants and bringing nature into our spaces. It further enables prevention, preparedness and resilience in relation to future health issues through provision of appropriate air circulation and ventilation.
Importance
The built environment can positively and negatively influence the health and wellbeing of its occupiers. Positive physical and mental health can contribute towards low levels of absence and reduced presenteeism. This, in turn, can contribute towards increased productivity for occupiers and, in turn, greater value for asset managers.
Regulatory
While a range of regulatory requirements address health and safety issues, for example, inspecting air conditioning assets and testing of water systems, there are no specific legal requirements specifically reating to health and wellbeing.
Increasingly, however, local authorities and planning policies provide a focus on health and wellbeing within the built environment. For example, The London Plan includes a focus on addressing health inequalities and wellbeing in new developments.
Financial
Poor mental health is estimated to costs UK employers more than £30 billion a year through lost production, recruitment and absence.2 Improving health and wellbeing has the potential to make a positive financial contribution for occupiers through a reduction in the direct, and indirect, costs of absence and presenteeism.
In turn, properties with strong health and well-being credentials also have potential to attract greater value. In challenging times such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, properties with positive health and wellbeing attributes can also better retain value.
Engagement and reputation
Organisations and their employees are increasingly aware of the influence that the built environment can have on their physical and mental health. In turn, they are demanding enhanced health and wellbeing performance through the provision of property features and workplace initiatives.
The growing importance of health and well-being in the property market is reflected in the emergence of ratings and certifications, such as WELL and Fitwel, for example. These accreditations set out a number of health impact areas against which applicants rate their property.
In 2020, both WELL and Fitwel launched new modules in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Both are aimed at demonstrating building safety in relation to viral transmission and generating occupiers’ trust that their workplace is a safe place.
Responsibilities & Interests
The table below summarises the key activities associated in identifying health and wellbeing opportunities, and highlights where asset managers, property managers and facilities managers are likely to have a responsibility or specific interest.
- AM - Asset Manager
- PM - Property Manager
- FM - Facilities Manager
Step 1: Gap analysis and review
Stakeholder:
Step 2: Select health and wellbeing improvements
Stakeholder:
Step 3: Consider funding options
Stakeholder:
Step 4: Engage and monitor
Stakeholder:
How to
Related Guidance Notes
The following Guidance Notes contain related information:
- GN1.3: Environmental aspects and impacts
- GN3.1: Ratings and certifications
- GN4.8: Template action plan
- GN7.1: Sustainable transport opportunities
- GN 8.2: Social value opportunities
- GN10.1:The fit-out process
- GN11.1: Building User Guide
- GN11.2: Engaging Occupiers
- GN11.3: Service Charge Considerations
- GN12.2: Valuable green spaces
- GN 13.1: Assessing occupier requirements
- GN13.3: Occupier satisfaction surveys
- GN13.5: Reviewing health and wellbeing
Additional Resources
- WELL Certified | International WELL Building Institute | IWBI:
- Fitwel
- Cycling Score
- BCO - Wellness Matters
- World Green Building Council: Health and Wellbeing Framework
- IWBI: WELL Health and Safety rating for facility operations and management
- BCO Wellness guide
- UK Green Building Council: Better places for people
- UK Green Building Council: Health and Well-being in Offices