The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has launched of the WELL Equity Rating, a new rating designed to help organisations act on their diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility goals, and improve company culture and employee health.
Over 30 organisations have already enrolled in the rating, demonstrating their commitment to creating places where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
By providing an evidence-based roadmap, the WELL Equity Rating empowers organisations to better address the needs of marginalised and underserved populations and take an action-oriented approach to creating equitable, people-first places.
The rating includes more than 40 features spanning six action areas: user experience and feedback, responsible hiring and labour practices, health benefits and services, supportive programs and spaces, and community engagement. The rating validates an organisation’s actions to advance health and wellbeing; celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and accessibility; and promote sensitivity while addressing disparities in populations that have been traditionally marginalised or underserved.
“Organisations worldwide are embracing the powerful role place can play in levelling the playing field and ensuring everyone feels welcome, seen and heard,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI.
“Many organisations have made commitments to DEI, but precious few have a roadmap for activation. The WELL Equity Rating is a transformative new offering that empowers organisations to make good on their promises— with evidence-based strategies and actions that improve and strengthen company culture, advance DEI goals and address disparities in underserved populations.”
For two years, IWBI has been collaborating with its Health Equity Advisory, learning from more than 200 participating expert Advisors from 26 countries. A prestigious group of more than 40 co-chairs led the Advisory, lending their tremendous knowledge and expertise in health equity, DEI, community building and belonging, and accessible design. The development process also included feedback and input from others with lived experience who represent the target populations prioritised by the rating. These include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color), first-generation immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, primary caregivers and people who are physically disabled and/or neurodivergent.
“Equity and health go hand-in-hand. This rating is all about making equitable opportunity actionable, designing healthier places that are accessible to everyone, and delivering on the promise of a global culture of health and belonging,” said Kimberly Lewis, Executive Vice President of Equity, Engagement and Events, IWBI. “Because, as we know, equity is the very foundation to healthier, stronger and thriving organisations.”
Multiple studies show that employees in diverse and inclusive workplaces are more likely to innovate, enjoy their jobs, work harder, and ultimately stay with their employers for longer. Diverse organisations have also been found to be 1.32 times more productive and 21 per cent more profitable than their peers. The WELL Equity Rating offers organisations a tangible path forward to help them follow through on their DEI commitments and transform how workplaces are designed, managed and operated to create environments where everyone can thrive and show up as their authentic selves.