Healthy Places + Happy People = A recipe for productivity and growth
Sodexo | Mar. 26, 2026
The number of people dropping out of the workforce for health reasons is growing nearly 10 times faster than the working-age population. With employees already averaging nearly two weeks of absence last year, it’s clear that businesses striving for growth will have to navigate a wellbeing crisis.
Helping our clients to find the right path was the motivation behind Sodexo’s new report, Healthy Places + Happy People = The Dynamic Workplace Experience. Created with the support of two industry innovators – the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and SHAPE – it shares the latest evidence connecting health, happiness and productivity and offers a blueprint for a workplace that puts wellbeing centre-stage.
Securing real returns from a healthier workforce
It’s been 50 years since the World Health Organization made the link between poorly ventilated spaces and employee ill health. Today, thanks to the work of experts like IWBI, we can quantify the business benefit of getting ventilation right.
In fact, our report notes that air quality improvement is one of the top ten levers available to employers: one UK business reduced sick leave by 58% after introducing continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds.
The Healthy Places Top Ten
- Better air quality: removing harmful substances, allergens and pathogens
- Sufficient clean water: good hydration for sharper decision-making
- Nutritious food: fuelling physical and cognitive performance
- The right light: boosting mood, productivity and a good night’s sleep
- Enough movement: creating opportunities for breaks and chats
- Comfortable heat and humidity: improving focus and relieving dry eyes
- Noise control: keeping concentration levels high
- Safe materials: supporting employee health for the long term
- Less stress: giving people a chance to switch off and recharge
- The human touch: in-person collaboration to boost wellbeing and productivity.