Menkes Signs On as a Fitwel Champion

“We are addressing an emerging trend in the real estate market that employees want work spaces that support their health and wellness goals” said Peter Menkes, President of the Commercial / Industrial Division of Menkes. “Being an active partner in promoting health and wellness in our buildings is an investment in our occupants, tenants and buildings, just as our leadership in sustainability has been.”     

    

Fitwel’s development was led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the General Services Administration.  Fitwel has a vision for a healthier future where every building is enhanced to support the wellbeing of its occupants and surrounding communities. The Center for Active Design (CfAD) is the operator of Fitwel, leading its widespread adoption and future development.

“We are delighted to partner with Menkes to expand the use of Fitwel to the Canadian office market,” says Joanna Frank, executive director of CfAD. “Menkes’ leadership role will be critical in optimizing workplaces to promote occupant health and ensure Fitwel’s broad based applicability across Canada.”

 

Fitwel addresses health within seven health impact categories, including community health, morbidity and absenteeism, social equality, physical activity, occupant safety, and a sense of well-being. Fitwel certification assesses building and workplace features—including the design of stairwells and outdoor spaces, proximity to public transit and fitness facilities, indoor air quality, and healthy food standards—against a baseline of criteria that create a health-promoting environment.

Occupant wellbeing is fundamental to Menkes’ approach to property management. “Our goal in designing and managing work environments is to provide opportunities for occupants to live a healthier lifestyle. Fitwel will be used as a measuring stick in creating healthier work environments,” says Jon Douglas, Director of Sustainability for Menkes. “Employees spend an increasing amount of time indoors and the buildings they work in have an impact on their health. We actively promote health and wellness at our properties by creating opportunities for occupants to make healthy lifestyle choices.”

As part of the Fitwel certification process, Menkes has committed to implementing a Real Estate Wellness Program with efforts such as encouraging physical activity, supporting mental health, and promoting nutrition and good hygiene. Specific strategies include encouraging occupants to use the building stairs and making properties more bicycle-friendly. Communications outreach will focus on mental health awareness and promoting healthy food options on-site and within walking distance of the workplace. Another component of the communications strategy will highlight preventative initiatives that support good health, for example hosting onsite flu clinics.

According to Gallup, an occupant of a building is spending on average of 50 hours a week in the office. At the same time, there is a health crisis in North America; in Canada, one in four adults are considered obese, which is no surprise as a leading cause of obesity is a lack of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Workers with access to daylight are getting on average 46 more minutes of sleep each night. More sleep can have a huge impact on productivity. People represent over 90% of an organization’s expenses—more than rent or energy. A small impact to increasing productivity and reducing employee absenteeism can have great returns for a tenant organization.

Danny Roth                                                              Carol King                                                      

Brandon Communications                                        Brandon Communications                                           

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E. droth@brandoncom.ca                                         E. cking@brandoncom.ca