The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has made a significant advancement with its “12 Competencies for Measuring Health and Well-being in the Workplace.” This framework, recently validated through peer review, provides businesses with a clear road map for enhancing employee health and workplace culture.
These 12 Competencies focus on various aspects of well-being, including mental and physical health, social connections, and organizational culture. They are organized into five levels: individual, organizational, environmental, community, and global. This structure helps companies see where they stand and where they can improve in their health initiatives.
Rachel Hodgdon, the President and CEO of IWBI, highlights that this peer-reviewed framework is crucial for organizations looking to boost their workplace health strategies. “It’s about providing practical, science-backed metrics to drive real change,” she states.
Experts in workplace wellness, like Despina Katskakis from Cushman & Wakefield, reinforce the value of these competencies. Many organizations struggle to measure what really matters for employee health. The 12 Competencies simplify this process, turning good intentions into tangible outcomes.
The framework’s peer review involved 11 researchers from top universities worldwide, lending it credibility. Dr. Whitney Austin Gray, a senior vice president at IWBI, underscores the complexity of measuring health but notes that these competencies provide clarity. They serve as benchmarks for companies to evaluate their health initiatives and track progress over time.
Angela Loder, the lead author of the peer-reviewed article, emphasizes that many organizations lack the tools to adequately measure employee health. The 12 Competencies not only highlight strengths but also pinpoint areas needing improvement. Ultimately, this framework empowers leaders to connect their health investments to meaningful results.
Since launching in 2022, these competencies have been designed to support organizations in enhancing their social sustainability efforts. Here’s a quick look at the competencies you’ll find:
- Health and well-being
- Thriving
- Performance, energy, & motivation
- Employee effectiveness
- Organizational performance
- Organizational culture & engagement
- Risk management
- Environment of care & support
- Ambient environmental quality
- Occupant & market perceptions of indoor environmental quality
- Community & stakeholder engagement
- Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) transparency & reporting
As companies increasingly focus on social sustainability, the 12 Competencies will guide them in assessing and improving workplace health. With the rising awareness of mental health, especially after the pandemic, frameworks like this are vital for fostering a supportive work environment.
For more information about the 12 Competencies, check out the IWBI’s original announcement here.
The IWBI’s mission is to ensure that workplaces are not just places to work but spaces that encourage well-being for everyone. For more details on their initiatives, visit the IWBI website.
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International Well Building Institute, 12 competencies for measuring health and well-being at the workplace, journal of corporate real estate, workplace health, Research