The Business Case for WELL Certification: Why Your Workplace and School Need It Now
The numbers don't lie: we spend 90% of our lives indoors, yet most buildings are designed without considering their impact on human health and performance. It's time to change that.
As organizations across the globe face mounting pressure to improve employee wellness, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance productivity, a revolutionary building certification is transforming how we think about our indoor environments. The WELL Building Standard isn't just another green certification—it's a strategic business investment that delivers measurable returns while creating healthier, more productive spaces for both workplaces and schools.
What Is WELL Certification and Why Does It Matter?
The WELL Building Standard began in 2013 by Paul Scialla of Delos company, becoming the first well-being focused standard, and has experienced explosive growth ever since. By 2024, WELL is being used across more than 5 billion square feet of space in 130 countries, supporting an estimated 25 million occupants in nearly 74,000 commercial and residential locations.
Unlike traditional green building certifications that focus primarily on environmental sustainability, WELL puts human health and wellness at the center of design decisions. The certification evaluates buildings across ten core concepts: air quality, water quality, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.
The Financial Returns Are Undeniable
The business case for WELL certification extends far beyond feel-good metrics. Organizations are seeing substantial financial returns that make the initial investment worthwhile:
Productivity and Performance Gains
Studies show WELL Certification can lead to a 20% increase in employee productivity and a 10% reduction in absenteeism, resulting in a more engaged, productive and creative workforce. Additional research shows:
Employee absenteeism in WELL certified buildings has decreased by 19% and presenteeism has increased by 16%
Overall building and workplace satisfaction was found to be high in WELL-certified buildings (94% and 87%)
94% of WELL building occupants in Los Angeles' CBRE office say the new space created a positive effect in business performance, while 92% agreed that the WELL space created a positive effect on their health
Return on Investment
The financial benefits compound quickly. Research demonstrates:
90% of companies see a positive ROI (return on investment) from their wellness initiatives
MIT research showed that buildings that were healthy certified, like with a WELL standard, had rents that were 7.7% higher per square foot than buildings with no certification
One case study even demonstrated a 300% return on investment for workplace wellbeing programs
When we examine the broader wellness program ROI, the numbers become even more compelling. Research shows that for every dollar you spend on employee wellness, you could save up to $6 in healthcare costs and absenteeism.
The School Advantage: WELL in Educational Settings
Schools face unique challenges in creating environments that support learning, health, and development. WELL certification addresses these challenges head-on with targeted strategies:
Enhanced Learning Environment
When employees spend up to 80 percent of their workday in a building or students learn in school environments, it makes sense that these surroundings should have standards of wellness too. The certification focuses on critical elements including:
Air Quality: Reducing pollutants that can cause headaches, throat irritation, and respiratory issues
Water Quality: While LEED focuses on how much water a building is using, WELL's emphasis is on the quality of water delivered to students, as well as access and level of contaminants
Natural Light: Optimizing circadian rhythms to improve sleep patterns and cognitive function
Acoustic Comfort: Managing noise levels to support concentration and learning
Health and Safety Benefits
Schools pursuing WELL certification report significant improvements in student and staff health. The air is supplied at floor level at a low velocity and rises up to the ceiling where it is removed, taking contaminates and carbon dioxide with it. The system meant that building occupants would be less likely to spread airborne illnesses, an important consideration for a school.
Current Market Momentum
The adoption of WELL certification is accelerating rapidly. Currently, there are 47,870 WELL projects worldwide with 13,059 certified, with the number of WELL-certified projects has experienced exponential growth, increasing from 6 projects in 2014 to 11,615 projects in 2024.
The majority of projects achieve Gold (51.6%) and Platinum (34.3%) certifications, demonstrating that organizations are not just pursuing basic compliance but are striving for excellence in occupant health and wellness.
Why Organizations Choose WELL
Talent Attraction and Retention
People no longer want to work for any company that provides a paycheck. They want a great working environment, a supportive community, and a fulfilling position. A workplace in a WELL-certified building can provide all of those things and more.
Operational Efficiency
Buildings that carry a WELL certification are less harmful to the environment by using fewer resources and reducing pollution, while also delivering a reduction in building operation costs due to better energy and water conservation.
Competitive Advantage
Because of the increased demand for sustainability wellness initiatives, especially from younger generations, buildings with certifications like the WELL certification stand to be more marketable than the competition.
Getting Started: The Path Forward
Achieving WELL certification requires strategic planning and expert guidance. The process involves meeting preconditions across all concepts and earning optimization points through enhanced features. As of 2025, projects pursuing the WELL Performance Rating must meet at least 21 out of 33 features across categories such as air and water quality, lighting, thermal and acoustic performance, environmental monitoring, and occupant experience.
Working with the Right Partners
Success in WELL certification requires expertise that spans both building science and business strategy. At Conscious Consulting Group, we combine 14+ years of executive-level legal experience with elite building science credentials including:
Building Biology Advocate Certification (Building Biology Institute)
Certified Passive House Builder (PHIUS)
Healthy Materials Advocate Certification (Parsons School of New York)
Licensed Attorney with Fortune 200 experience
Our approach aligns environmental health with business objectives, focusing on quantifiable ROI and operational efficiency improvements that deliver the productivity gains and cost savings organizations need.
The Time Is Now
The evidence is clear: WELL certification delivers measurable business value while creating healthier, more productive environments. With 77% of employees saying they would consider leaving a company that does not focus on wellbeing, the question isn't whether to pursue WELL certification—it's how quickly you can get started.
Whether you're planning a new construction project, considering an office renovation, or looking to create a competitive advantage in talent attraction, WELL certification offers a strategic pathway to measurable business results.
Ready to explore how WELL certification can transform your workplace or school? Contact Conscious Consulting Group today to discuss how strategic environmental health improvements can drive your business results.
Cristina Greenfield, Founder & Principal of Conscious Consulting Group, combines executive-level legal expertise with elite building science certifications to help organizations create healthier, more productive environments. Contact us at cristina@conscioushealthyhome.com or 281-749-5070 to learn more.
