Indoor air quality has been talked about in recent years as an important part of healthy buildings and productive workspaces, but it can also directly affect your workforce levels and the future of your business. Company culture has shifted, and health and wellness have become a priority for today’s younger candidates. As boomers retire and leave the workforce, companies need to look at what new employees value from their employers to compete in the crowded hiring space.
A recent Fellowes survey shows that clean air is important to employees, highlighting the following results that can affect the future of business operations:
- 68 per cent of Gen Z and millennial workers are concerned about the long-term effects of poor air quality, compared to 28 per cent of older employees.
- 45 per cent of millennial and Gen Z workers said they would consider leaving their employer over poor IAQ, whereas 34 per cent of Gen X and just 18 per cent of baby boomers feel the same way.
- On a more positive note, 52 per cent of staff would rate their workplaces “very clean,” and 61 per cent think their employers are taking the necessary steps for healthy indoor air quality.
- What steps signal that a company is making the effort? Responders prioritized air purification units (49 per cent), updated HVAC systems (45 per cent), visible use of IAQ monitors (45 per cent), and access to real-time IAQ data (36 per cent).
Given today’s staffing challenges, creating a culture of care and communication is a way for employers to stand out in a crowded space, and knowing that IAQ is important to employees can help companies prioritize objectives and budgets.
Statistics Canada reports that as of July 1, 2023, 7.6 million Canadians (almost 19 per cent of the population) were aged 65 or older, and those numbers are predicted to rise to between 21 and 23 per cent by 2030. With the younger population valuing transparency, ESG focus, and health and wellness, many companies may need to shift their priorities, communication strategies, and budgetary allocation to remain an attractive option for the younger generation.
