The Need for a Paradigm Shift toward an Occupant-Centered Environmental Control Model

Office-based environmental control systems are centralized and designed to control entire spaces, ignoring use dynamics and requirements, and despite being regulated by standardized comfort models, they fail to satisfy real occupants, mainly due to their varied individual characteristics. This research is field-based with a quantitative approach and correlational design. Its objective is to empirically demonstrate that open-plan design, where different users share the same space and generalized environmental conditions, lacks a holistic view of IEQ criteria and the integration of other factors that affect health and well-being. Four buildings are chosen in different Chilean cities, measuring temperatures and CO2 levels at different desks, and applying a survey, which was designed as part of the research to analyze the estimation of relationships between variables and to reveal the factors that cause differences among occupants. The results show that people's satisfaction is multivariable and depends on other factors that positively or negatively stimulate their sensations and perceptions, such as, for example, the option to personally control their environmental conditions. Likewise, it is evident that to achieve comfort, health is being affected while in the building.

Guest editorial: Co-working spaces after COVID-19. The differences between sharing office spaces in urban cores and peripheral locations

[...]looking to the future, the sector will also see several new trends take root like the competition between different localities, operators prioritising offers that enhance wellbeing during working hours to satisfy the revived attention for this matter and consequent growth in demand, or companies turning to co-working spaces – or “flex” spaces – to optimise their operations within some specific or riskier sectors of the business that require a more innovative approach and working environment. [...]we consider – at least for traditional investors in commercial real estate – the growth of a real estate market for peripheral co-working spaces as a less likely scenario in the post-pandemic, unless a social value element is also attached to this type of investments. [...]the development of models such as “neighbourhood co-working”, “near working” or “commuter co-working” could represent an opportunity for those who choose to live in suburban areas.

Cracking the hybrid work culture conundrum: how to create a strong culture across a workforce you may never even see

Purpose>The purpose of this paper is to look at how workplaces can create a healthy corporate culture as a hybrid way of working comes into force. The pandemic has made many businesses rethink their corporate culture strategy, and this study addresses how to regain and sustain a positive long-term culture. This is done by exploring aspects of pre-pandemic work life, how businesses can continue this going forward, and additional ways to ensure employees are fulfilled – all while providing a safe environment to work in.Design/methodology/approach>The author analyses pre-pandemic working culture, impartial report findings, third-party research, and her deep understanding and domain expertise in human resources (HR) to guide the reader in identifying key components of an effective corporate culture during this fast-paced, disruptive era. The study provides background context and offers three main ways on how to successfully achieve this.Findings>The findings from this study demonstrate three main ways in which HR leaders can enhance the working environment and how this can have multiple positive business outcomes. Driving and living core values from the most senior positions all the way through the workforce, changing values which are no longer fit for purpose, creating new workplace networking opportunities and recognising colleague contributions, especially during times of uncertainty, are all critical components of long-term culture success. The findings demonstrate how this is not only beneficial for a business but for the workforce too – helping retain important talent and also attracting new employees.Originality/value>The study fulfils an identified need to analyse and inform on forward-looking corporate culture trends and challenges amid the pandemic.

The NEHA Office Has Moved!

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is excited to announce the new location of the Denver office. We have moved from our suite of offices on the 10th floor to a new suite on the 1st floor of the same building. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Denver NEHA staff were working in the office 4-5 days a week, with most staff having individual offices. With the growth of the association and in anticipa...tion of the upcoming lease ending on December 31, 2021, NEHA leadership started to explore office space needs. After surveying the staff and assessing needs, it appeared that NEHA would need to find a space larger than the 12,000 ft2 it was currently using.