The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and The Instant Group have unveiled the WELL Coworking Rating — a health benchmark tailored for coworking and flexible spaces. This new initiative, developed in partnership since April, aims to enhance health and well-being in the workplace.
The WELL Coworking Rating incorporates more than 50 features based on the WELL Building Standard, addressing key areas such as air and water quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and physical fitness.
Upon achieving the rating, coworking spaces will receive a public-facing seal to validate their commitment to health-focused strategies.
Sam Pickering, Executive Director at The Instant Group, noted that the launch builds on the company’s previous Sustainability Index and responds to the absence of a well-being benchmark in the coworking sector. The collaboration with IWBI leverages their expertise in healthy buildings to create a standard that benefits landlords, operators, and occupants alike.
The official unveiling took place at the WELL Regional Summit in London, alongside several organizations committed to adopting the rating, including Koba, Landmark, Clockwise, and Iconic Offices. This initiative aims to provide crucial information to users about the health attributes of coworking spaces before they commit to a lease.
IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon emphasized the importance of providing healthy work environments, stating that the WELL Coworking Rating will enhance productivity and overall well-being for users.
The rating will be integrated into The Instant Group’s platform, the largest marketplace for flexible workspaces, allowing users to easily search for rated locations among over 350,000 offerings.
Research supports the benefits of healthy buildings, indicating that WELL Certified offices can boost employee satisfaction by 28% and enhance productivity.
Industry leaders, including Alexandra Livesey of Clockwise and Rob Stewart of Koba, expressed their enthusiasm for the rating as a valuable tool for improving standards and attracting quality tenants, according to Yahoo Finance. The WELL Coworking Rating represents a significant step toward promoting health and well-being in the flexible workspace sector.
