 BEPI Article Recap:
Abstract:
Healthier space need not be new space. In fact, some new buildings are extremely unhealthy as chemicals leach out into the air from glues, carpets, concrete and paint. There is no reason this must be the case. The cost to provide healthier environments is modest compared to the benefits. Healthier buildings reduce sick time and increase productivity, making it easier to recruit and retain employees. The results provided here are based on a survey of over 500 tenants who have moved into either LEED or Energy Star labeled buildings managed by CBRE. It is part of a much larger study that includes details on operating expenses, leasing and management available from the authors or download here Full StudyArticle Summary:
SAN DIEGO, CA, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Researchers at the University of San Diego's Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate and CB Richard Ellis have found that employees who work in green buildings are more productive than their counterparts who work in non-green buildings.
In the study, researchers Norm Miller, Ph.D., academic director at the Burnham-Moores Center, and David Pogue, national director of sustainability at CBRE, surveyed 154 green buildings nationwide containing over 2,000 tenants, 534 of which participated in the study. The study is the largest of its kind by far; a 2003 study looked at productivity levels in just 33 green buildings.
Forty-five percent of respondents reported that they had experienced an average of 2.88 fewer sick days at their new, green office location vs. their earlier non-green office location. The 10 percent that reported more sick days were residents of Energy Star-labeled, not LEED-certified buildings. Unlike LEED buildings, Energy Star buildings do not have air quality requirements.
On the self-reported productivity measure, 12 percent of respondents said that they strongly agree that employees were more productive in green buildings, 42.5 percent agreed that employees were more productive and 45 percent noted no change in productivity. According to the authors' calculations, the increase in productivity translates into a net impact of $20.82 per employee, based on an office space of 250 square feet per worker and using average salary as an index.
"Healthier buildings reduce sick time and increase productivity," says Miller.
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Mentioned:
Carbon Offsets: No
Green Building:Yes
Energy Technology:No
Property:
Corporations:
University of San Diego's Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate
People:
David Pogue
National Director of Sustainability
CB Richard Ellis
Norm Miller
Academic Director
University of San Diego's Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate
BEPI Published Date: September 16, 2009
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