C03: Occupant Survey

(Required)

INTENT

Establish minimum standards for the evaluation of experience and self-reported health and well-being of building occupants.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to collect feedback from building users on their health and well-being and on topics related to WELL.

ISSUE

Given the diversity in the operation and design of built spaces, it is difficult to prescribe a comprehensive set of features that are effective across all settings. For example, decision-makers and users of the space often experience things differently. Surveys that ask a representative sample of building users about their level of satisfaction with indoor environmental quality, access to nature, wellness policies and their health provide valuable insight into whether or not the people who live and work in the building are satisfied with their conditions. 

SOLUTIONS

Surveys are an established tool for understanding and evaluating people’s perceptions of indoor environmental conditions, wellness policies and their health and well-being. Psychometrically validated surveys and questions, especially for measuring health, well-being and productivity, ensure that sensitive questions are framed appropriately and that they measure what they are intended to measure. Combined with environmental satisfaction questions, psychometrically validated surveys are an effective way to capture high-quality data. Tracking a person's experience and satisfaction with a space provides invaluable information for projects on what is working well and areas for improvement. Decision-makers can then use survey results to measure progress, identify priority areas for change and implement plans to make the space safer, healthier and more productive.

IMPACT

Giving building users the ability to offer feedback helps identify problems and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving health and well-being for that particular population, and presents an opportunity to create a healthier environment.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Select Project Survey

Verified by Survey Materials

For All Spaces

Choose between the following:

Option 1. Third-party survey:

The following requirement is met for projects with ten or more eligible employees: 

1. A survey is selected from a survey provider approved by IWBI and listed on IWBI's website (https://v2.wellcertified.com/resources/preapproved-programs). 

Option 2. Custom survey:

For projects with ten or more eligible employees, a survey is selected that covers at least the following topics:

1. General building and occupancy information including job type or time spent in the building.
2. Indoor environmental quality of air, water, light, sound and thermal comfort (thermal comfort questions cover conditions from at least twice a year, once during the cooling season and once during the heating season).
3. Ergonomics, layout and aesthetics.
4. Maintenance and cleanliness.
5. Amenities: access to nature, views and nourishment options.
6. Workplace wellness initiatives or offerings.
7. Healthy behavior and amenities to support changes in behavior, physical activity and healthy eating.
8. Productivity and engagement through measures of hours worked, motivation or absenteeism.
9. Self-rated health and well-being.
10. Standard sociodemographic information (age and gender at minimum).

Part 2

Administer Survey and Report Results

Verified by On-going Data Report, Professional Narrative

For All Spaces

The following requirements are met:

1. Surveys are administered annually at minimum.

2. All eligible employees are invited to participate in the survey. Regular reminders are sent to eligible employees to complete the survey.

3. Survey protects all participant-identifying data through appropriate protective measures such as anonymous reporting; any communication of results should be on an aggregated basis such that no participant can be identified.
4. Analysis of responses is conducted by qualified personnel or a qualified third party.
5. Aggregate results from the survey are reported annually and submitted through WELL Online.

 

Note: Projects that fulfill Feature C04: Enhanced Occupant Survey automatically meet this precondition. For non-office projects, projects may submit an equivalent survey. Submissions should include, at minimum:

    a. Description of the population and how it differs from office workers.

    b. Submission of alternate questions appropriate for the building type where the above questions are not appropriate. 

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