By John Arenas | December 10, 2013

How Your Workplace Can Make You Healthier

Companies Are Reconsidering Your Health, Outside of Insurance

Health and wellness in the workplace will become one of the hottest topics next year, according to Forbes’s Top 10 Workplace Trends for 2014.

With the Affordable Care Act to come after the New Year, companies can save a lot of money and be more productive and effective with a healthier workforce. Currently, employees miss an average of 8.7 days per year due to poor health.

Some companies are already making their employees’ health a priority, by offering gym memberships, on-site fitness classes, and healthy dining options. In the next few years, we think (and hope) that this will become the norm. Other companies are taking this a step further.

Delos, a U.S.-based real estate developer, spent six years developing the WELL Building Standard — the first building standard focused exclusively on enhancing people’s health and wellbeing through the built environment.  Delos has just made the Los Angeles headquarters of real estate company CBRE a WELL Certified space. Some of the office’s standout health-conscious features include biophilic plantings, smart lighting systems, energy absorbing flooring, advanced air purification, water filtration systems, ergonomic desks and chairs, and anti-microbial coatings on all surfaces.

Professionals who are healthier are happier in their jobs. Over the next few weeks, we will explore other ways—from physical environment to work flexibility — that health and wellness will be a major contributor to the changing workplace.