SEARCH THIS SITE

US study finds green buildings cut absenteeism

12/10/2009

Researchers say green buildings can deliver benefits in health and productivity.

Workers in some green buildings take almost 3 days less sick leave than the average, an academic study in the US has found. The research looked at 154 US office buildings containing more than 2,000 tenants, all of which were managed by CBRE. All of the buildings were rated to either the LEED or Energy Star green assessment systems.

The study was carried out by a team headed by Dr Norman Miller of the University of San Diego's Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate charted absenteeism and tenant perceptions. It found:

• 45% of tenants found workers were taking less sick leave, with absenteeism being reduced by almost 3 days.
• 12% of tenants strongly agreed that workers were more productive, and 45% agreed.

The study noted that new buildings were not necessarily healthy: "Some new buildings are extremely unhealthy as chemicals leach out into the air from glues, carpets, concrete and paint. There is no reason this must be the case. The cost to provide healthier environments is modest compared to the benefits."

It continued: "We now have some evidence that there is an economic pay-off to tenants who pay attention to space quality."

 

For more on the study, go to www.sandiego.edu/business/centers/real_estate.