The International Well Building Institute (IWBI) has launched The Well Equity Rating, designed to help organizations act on their diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility goals, and improve company culture and employee health. Over 30 leading organizations — including AvalonBay Communities, Canderel, Empire State Realty Trust, JLL, Overbury, Shaw Industries and the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry — have enrolled in the rating.
By providing an evidence-based roadmap, the Well Equity Rating empowers organizations to better address the needs of marginalized 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 labor practices, health benefits and services, supportive programs and spaces and community engagement. The rating validates an organization’s actions to advance health and well-being; celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and accessibility and promote sensitivity while addressing disparities in populations that have been traditionally marginalized or underserved.
“Organizations worldwide are embracing the powerful role place can play in leveling the playing field and ensuring everyone feels welcome, seen and heard,” said Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO, IWBI. “Many organizations have made commitments to DEI, but precious few have a roadmap for activation. The Well Equity Rating is a transformative new offering that empowers organizations 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 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 prioritized 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. In September, IWBI’s Governance Council, the leadership body tasked with upholding the integrity of Well through rigorous standard development criteria, unanimously ratified the Well Equity Rating.
“Ivanhoé Cambridge is proud to be part of the early adopters of the WELL Equity Rating. As a responsible real estate leader, we look at our spaces through both the investor and the employer lenses,” said Sunita Mahant, head of social impact and inclusion, sustainable investment at Ivanhoé Cambridge. “Our participation solidifies our commitment to creating inclusive spaces. When people walk into our buildings, we want them to feel a sense of belonging. This starts with our own employees — which is why we are kicking off our involvement with our own headquarters in Montréal.”
