How Detroit companies are getting employees back in the office happy and healthy

Do you ever feel a lack of energy toward work while working from home? Or struggle to remain motivated? You’re not alone.

In fact, around 36 percent of employees today feel that way. Considering approximately 33 percent of employees don’t have access to any health and wellbeing offerings, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

As a result, employee wellness is taking a front seat for companies that want to attract and retain top talent in the workplace of the future.

So how are companies implementing these changes? Check out three unique strategies from Detroit businesses below.

Mindfulness and wellness rooms

LinkedIn, the California-based social media platform for professionals, occupies a 75,000-square-foot office in the Sanders and Grinnell buildings at 1515 Woodward Ave.

As part of the company’s commitment to employee wellness, LinkedIn created a mindfulness room in the building for meditation, yoga and prayer. Other modern additions include a café, barista lounge and parents’ room.

Because only 38 percent of the workforce feel fully supported when it comes to adopting healthy routines at work, amenities like these play a fundamental role in endorsing healthy working habits and overall wellbeing. 

Green spaces

WPP, a U.K.-based creative services company that occupies a total of 150,000 square feet on nine floors in the historic Marquette Building at 243 West Congress St., designed its interior office space with the goal of achieving a Gold LEED rating.

As a part of the build-out, WPP took a unique approach to employee wellness by building an expansive green rooftop terrace. There, employees can take a break from work, relax and unwind in comfortable chairs while enjoying spectacular views of the city.

Rooftops are proving popular among many other companies in Detroit, as well, including bars, hotels, restaurants and corporate offices.

Health and safety certifications

Employers in Detroit and across the country are increasingly realizing that to help their employees restore their energy levels and feel fully supported to achieve sustainable performance, they must make changes to their workplaces.

This has led to a big push in achieving health and safety certifications from organizations like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), WELL and Fitwel. Companies like LinkedIn, J.P. Morgan and SmithGroup have made investments to earn these certifications, which show employees how invested they are in prioritizing their health, safety and overall wellbeing as they return to the office.

How to improve your workspace

To improve your workplace, start by researching and implementing safety and wellbeing features. For example, the following are a part of the WELL certification:

• Nourishment: Increase the availability of healthy food options and point out food ingredients, allergens and nutrition facts.
• Fitness: Promote physical activity through design, policies and programs. Employers focusing on the physical wellbeing of their employees might choose a walkable or bikeable office location, a building with a fitness center or nearby exercise options, or suggest holding meetings while going for a walk.
• Mind: Promote mental health through employee education, healthy policies around working hours and meditation rooms.

While not all features might be a fit for your office space, it’s important to keep them in mind as you deliberate design updates now and in the future.

Create your regenerative workplace

Designing a regenerative workplace is one of the first steps in achieving employee wellbeing and sustainable performance. Take a look at our Regenerative Workplace to learn more about what employees want to see in the workplace of the future.