Kenyan businesses are facing a growing workplace wellbeing crisis, with new research showing that nearly nine in ten workers (87%) report experiencing stress, raising fresh concerns about productivity, employee engagement and organisational performance.
The findings, released by Niche Human Capital Advisory, come at a time when employers are grappling with rising burnout, changing workforce expectations and increasing competition for talent. Across the region, 80.4% of employees report moderate to extreme workplace stress, while 67.8% of employees in Sub Saharan Africa report emotional exhaustion and burnout, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing employers. At the same time, 82.5% of employees believe organisations need to do more to support their mental wellbeing.
The economic implications are significant. Globally, workplace stress, poor mental health and employee disengagement are estimated to cost businesses US$10 trillion in lost productivity every year, prompting organisations to rethink the role of the workplace in driving business performance.
“The workplace has become one of the most important determinants of organisational success,” said Rebecca Gichuki, Partner, Niche Human Capital Advisory. “Our findings show that employee wellbeing is no longer simply an HR issue. It is a leadership and business issue. Organisations that invest in healthier workplaces, stronger leadership and supportive cultures are better placed to improve productivity, retain talent and build resilient businesses.”
Against this backdrop, Workable has become Africa’s first coworking space to achieve the WELL Coworking Rating, a globally recognised certification awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) in collaboration with The Instant Group. The rating recognises workspaces that meet rigorous standards designed to improve the health, wellbeing and performance of the people who use them.
The milestone positions Kenya at the forefront of a global movement that recognises healthier workplaces as a strategic investment rather than an employee benefit.
“This certification is bigger than Workable,” said Samir Patel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Workable. “Businesses have always measured the cost of office space. Today, they also have to measure the cost of unhealthy workplaces. When stress, burnout and disengagement affect performance, investing in healthier workplaces becomes an investment in innovation, productivity and long term business growth.”
The WELL Coworking Rating assesses workplaces across evidence based measures including indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, water quality, movement, nourishment, mental wellbeing, materials and community, creating environments that support healthier, happier and more productive teams.
Workable’s achievement builds on its EDGE certification and reinforces its commitment to creating people centred workplaces that combine hospitality, sustainability and wellness to help organisations thrive.
“Congratulations to Workable on becoming Africa’s first WELL Coworking Rated workspace,” said Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President, EMEA, International WELL Building Institute. “This achievement demonstrates that Africa is embracing globally recognised standards for healthier workplaces and reinforces the important role workplace design can play in improving the health, wellbeing and performance of people and organisations.”
As organisations continue to redefine the future of work, the conversation is shifting from where people work to how workplaces influence business outcomes. For forward looking employers, healthier workplaces are increasingly proving to be a competitive advantage, helping organisations attract talent, improve productivity and build more resilient businesses.