US: The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has partnered with The Instant Group, a global marketplace for flexible workspace, to launch the WELL Coworking Rating.
The benchmark is designed specifically for coworking and flexible office spaces, and draws from the health strategies in the WELL Building Standard. It includes more than 50 features spanning all 10 concepts in WELL, including air and water quality, light, thermal comfort, and physical fitness. Coworking spaces that earn the WELL Coworking Rating can display a public-facing seal.
“The rating is launched to respond to growing demand for healthier workspaces within the coworking and flexible space industry,” said Jessica Cooper, chief product officer at IWBI. “Businesses that earn the WELL Coworking seal can communicate to occupiers that their workspaces are designed to enhance overall comfort, satisfaction, and performance.”
“The demand for coworking and flexible space is expected to continue to rise, and responding to health opportunities within these environments is key,” Cooper added. “Yet, prior to the WELL Coworking Rating, this market did not have industry-specific wellbeing protocols to follow.”
There are 53 points available in the rating, of which a location needs to earn 23 to achieve it. The achievement will then be verified through a third-party documentation review. More than 40 health and wellbeing solutions are available to earn these points in seven Action Areas:
• Restorative Places
• Productive Work Environments
• Health Promoting Food and Movement
• Air and Water Quality
• Maintenance and Operation Policies
• Wellbeing Education and Engagement
• Innovation
The rating is available globally and made accessible through a partnership with The Instant Group, which is administering the rating through its flexible and coworking marketplace platform. Organisations participating in the WELL at Scale pathway can also opt into pursuing this rating as part of their engagement with IWBI.
“Organisations that achieve the rating for one or more locations demonstrate health leadership,” Cooper said. “Earning WELL achievements demonstrates a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and sustainability and can enhance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy and reporting.”
