The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a global leader in promoting healthy buildings, organizations, and communities, has teamed up with The Instant Group, the largest global marketplace for flexible workspaces, to introduce the WELL Coworking Rating.
This innovative benchmark is designed to promote health leadership within coworking and flexible office spaces. Since their partnership began in April, The Instant Group has collaborated with IWBI to shape the development of the rating.
Drawing on health strategies from the WELL Building Standard, the new rating includes over 50 features spanning all 10 WELL concepts, such as air and water quality, lighting, thermal comfort, physical fitness, and nourishment. Workspaces that achieve this rating will be able to display a public-facing seal, showcasing their adherence to evidence-based health and well-being standards. Additionally, the rating is integrated with The Instant Group’s platform, helping occupiers and visitors easily identify workspaces that meet this benchmark.
Sam Pickering, Executive Director and Head of Sustainability at The Instant Group, noted that after the success of their Sustainability Index launched last year, shifting focus to health was a natural progression. Observing a lack of a health and well-being standard for coworking and flexible offices, they partnered with IWBI, a recognized leader in healthy building certification, to create the WELL Coworking Rating. This collaboration allowed Instant to leverage the science-backed WELL certification system, the world’s largest platform for healthy buildings, and create the first rating specifically tailored to coworking spaces.
The WELL Coworking Rating will be officially unveiled at the WELL Regional Summit in London, where a group of early adopters, including Koba, Landmark, Clockwise, and Iconic Offices, will be recognized for their commitment to using this new standard. Instant Group will now highlight operators of coworking spaces that demonstrate leadership in health and well-being, providing valuable information for occupiers before they book or sign leases for coworking spaces.
Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO of IWBI, emphasized that the WELL Coworking Rating will bring the health and productivity benefits of WELL standards to coworking spaces, promoting physical and mental well-being for all users. She expressed excitement about partnering with The Instant Group to extend the reach of WELL’s strategies alongside a dedicated cohort of market leaders.
To further support adoption, the WELL Coworking Rating will be integrated into The Instant Group's platform, used by over 20,000 landlords, flexible office operators, and investors, making it easier for prospective tenants to identify workspaces that meet these health benchmarks. With access to over 350,000 flexible workspaces on Instant’s digital platforms, users will be able to search for and benefit from the WELL Coworking Rating.
Following the success of their Sustainability Index, launched in 2023, The Instant Group broadened its offerings to prioritize health and well-being. Partnering with IWBI, a global authority on healthy buildings, they co-developed the WELL Coworking Rating to address the growing demand for healthier work environments.
Research has shown that evidence-based health interventions in workspaces improve employee satisfaction, comfort, and productivity, while also helping organizations attract and retain talent. For example, a 2022 study found that WELL Certified offices increase overall employee satisfaction by 28% and boost median productivity by 10 points. Additionally, healthy building strategies have been linked to economic benefits, such as higher rents and longer lease terms.
Alexandra Livesey, COO at Clockwise, highlighted the importance of well-being in their brand and workspace design, stating that the new rating formalizes a process that recognizes operators' efforts to enhance mental and physical health. Rob Stewart, Director of Strategy and Sustainability at Koba, added that the rating helps elevate industry standards, providing an important tool for coworking spaces looking to attract mature businesses.
Click sustainability@theinstantgroup.com to contact the WELL Coworking Rating and know more.