It’s that time of year again — between flu season and hectic holidays right around the corner, you may feel exhausted with a weakened system, which can lend itself to various ailments. One important aspect of maintaining your health, but is often overlooked, is your environment. Is your workplace making you sick?

Considering we spend so much time at work, it’s important to think about the health of the buildings where we spend the bulk of our waking hours. This isn’t about your home office; rather, it’s about the health of your employer’s office. This can impact not only your physical health, but your mental health, too as well as your productivity, job satisfaction and more.

Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO, International WELL Building Institute, said, “The workplace itself is intricately tied to employees’ long-term health, well-being and job satisfaction. A building isn’t just four walls and a roof; it’s an ecosystem that can either support or undermine our physical, mental and emotional health.

“The quality of the air we breathe, the lighting we work under, the acoustics and even the materials used in the paint and the furniture can impact stress levels, productivity, creativity and long-term health outcomes. For instance, good air filtration can reduce absenteeism caused by respiratory issues, while natural lighting has been shown to improve mood and cognitive function.”

So, how can you tell if the building is amiss even if the job is a fit? Hodgdon recommended looking for a plaque or seal on the door that verifies the space has earned a WELL certification or WELL ratings. The IWBI Well Building Standard is a global standard that focuses on the health of people in the building through the building’s design, operations and management properties by measuring air, water, nourishment, lighting, thermal comfort, sound, movement, materials, mind and community. Other building standards exist as well such as LEED, Energy Star and Living Building Challenge that focus on the environmental aspect of buildings.

Hodgdon said, “When job seekers evaluate potential workplaces, they often focus on role responsibilities, company culture and compensation, but the health of the building where they may be working is just as critical. ”

Hodgdon recommended a few questions such as asking if the office is WELL Certified or rated, inquire about indoor air quality and how it’s being assessed and tracked. Can you see monitors or sensors throughout the space? Look at the lighting — is there a lot of natural light? It’s important to determine if you’ll be working in a basement without any windows and natural light.

Will your workstation have access to daylight? Are there ergonomic chairs to properly support your body? Are there standing desks to encourage movement? Is healthy food easily accessible? Are there dedicated spaces for relaxation?

If you’re already an employee and noticed your building seems unhealthy, approach your supervisor to explore building standards. Sometimes it can be a quick fix like installing inexpensive air quality monitors and air purifiers.

Tribune News Service