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In Focus: Measure By Measure, Green and Productivity Goals Become Aligned

Does going green mean your workforce becomes more productive? Sometimes — but not all green workplaces are created equal.

Q4 2014
Workplace and sustainability experts alike often champion “going green” as a way to not only achieve energy savings and social responsibility, but also to improve employee productivity. Plenty of anecdotal evidence and a fair amount of research support the idea that green initiatives, from workplace recycling to LEED certification, give employees a sense of camaraderie and pride, along with health benefits. But does this perceived symbiotic relationship go beyond the hypothetical? And where do sustainability programs end and employee resistance begin?

Unearthing the hard evidence that a company’s sustainability programs are — or are not — enhancing productivity requires meaningful metrics that quantify both sustainability tactics and productivity impacts. Of course, many organizations already compile some sustainability and employee productivity data — but comparing these data sets to inform holistic strategies for specific facilities is an emerging concept. In fact, addressing this challenge is the focus of a new research report by the World Green Building Council titled “Health, Wellbeing & Productivity in Offices: the Next Chapter for Green Building.”
Sustainability goals on their own certainly have significant bearing on a company’s bottom line. But the potential value of green workplace programs increases dramatically when it is strategically aligned with workplace productivity goals.
Side-by-Side Comparisons Drive Organizational Value
Sustainability goals on their own certainly have significant bearing on a company’s bottom line. But the potential value of green workplace programs increases dramatically when it is strategically aligned with workplace productivity goals. For example, consider the “3:30:300” rule of thumb. If an organization spends $3 per square foot on annual utilities, $30 on rent, and $300 on payroll, a 2 percent improvement in energy efficiency results in savings of $0.06 per square foot — while a 2 percent improvement in productivity increases value by $6 per square foot. Implementing tactics that support both sides of equation will bring even greater benefit than those developed in isolation.

The key is to use a metrics system that enables easy comparison of green and productive tactics within all applicable categories, such as energy, waste, and water use; space efficiency; and employee wellness and productivity. Evaluating dual line-item impacts in these categories exposes areas for improvement. For example, a facility achieving energy savings may achieve a high “green” score, but a low score in productivity because employees are too hot or cold. The right metrics will enable a company to quantify the impact on annual revenue.
Certified LEED Gold, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience was designed to foster productivity and collaboration, along with sustainability.
Certified LEED Gold, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience was designed to foster productivity and collaboration, along with sustainability.
Using metrics will also allow managers to quantify the impact of program successes. For example, an office could be right-sized to achieve energy savings by eliminating underutilized space, while being thoughtfully reconfigured to improve productivity with workspaces that better accommodate the work performed within them. Both the energy savings and the productivity improvement can be measured to create a balanced view of the office redesign.

Ultimately, the use of a wide range of metrics and related analyses will provide insights far beyond stating the face value of any single initiative. Enormous potential lies in analyzing data across these traditionally separate realms of sustainability and productivity. Side-by-side impact comparisons can support long-term strategic thinking that strengthens both sustainability and productivity efforts. It’s all in the integrated numbers.

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