2022 NeoCon Conference
Topic: Vital Signs of a Workplace
Just as medical personnel check a person’s vital signs for health and well-being, so can experts check the vital signs of a workplace. The human body’s vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and various components of the blood, signal to medical personnel how a body is functioning in key aspects of life. What are the vital signs of a workplace that can suggest whether serious problems exist or the workplace is operating effectively in the manner desired? We propose a set of key elements of a workplace that can differentiate between a “healthy workplace” and a workplace that possesses serious threats to its “healthiness” for occupants. We propose seven vital signs derived from extensive research on the relationship between attributes of the built environment and satisfaction of basic human needs. These attributes are qualities of places that promote need satisfaction: Connection, Comfort, Flexibility, Predictability, Privacy, Security, and Equity. Evidence supporting the link between these vital signs and occupant health, well-being, and productivity will be presented.
Contents
- The premise
- The goal
- Vital signs of health
- Vital signs of health indicate pathways to improvement
- What is the link between the physical environment and occupant behavior and emotions?
- Implications
- What physical and psychological states are important for triggering positive psychologic responses?
- What set of workplace design qualities create the opportunity for need satisfaction?
- Study: Applying design qualities
- How to create healthy workplaces
What
- Supports employees doing their work well.
- Provides opportunities for cognitive refreshment.
- Provides comfortable amounts of environmental control.
- Supports bonding among employees.
- Protects employee safety and security.
- Provides choice in place and timing of activities.
Goal Achievement
Technology that supports these objectives.
- IEQ
- Space use
- Resource access
- Disturbance controls
- Social connections
- Well-being enhancement
