In a five-year company case study, Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University measured a 3.2 percent productivity gain, or $1,600 per employee per year, on lighting improvements alone.

So how does 1 percent to 3 percent productivity gain impact the bottom line? The literature suggests multiplying annual payrolls times these increases. In such a case, the annual savings are substantial.

Indeed, the 2003 California report found average annual employee costs to be 10.25 times larger than the cost of space per employee. The author extrapolates these findings to calculate that a 1 percent productivity increase would therefore have a financial impact over time roughly equal to reducing property costs by 10 percent.

HR professionals should understand the correlations between sustainability, green initiatives that improve the work environment, and productivity.

At the 2008 SHRM corporate sustainability Executive Roundtable Symposium, participants — global HR and sustainability leaders — generally agreed that HR should have the knowledge required to take the lead in the people dimensions of sustainability.

It will help the environment, get employees more engaged, and contribute to the bottom line.

George Boué, SPHR, LEED AP ID&C, is vice president of human resources for Stiles, a commercial real estate services company in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.