How to Convince Your Stakeholders to Invest in IAQ Monitoring Solutions?
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a vital aspect of maintaining a healthy and safe environment in the workplace. However, it might be challenging to bring up the conversation with some stakeholders.
Therefore, in this article, we'll discuss how to bring up the conversation of indoor air quality and convince stakeholders to invest in the right monitoring solution.
- Educate Yourself
Before bringing up the conversation around indoor air quality, it's crucial to educate yourself on the topic. Understand the different types of pollutants that can affect indoor air quality, such as dust, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Take a look at this article where we have put together a great overview of the main parameters to keep an eye on.
Also, familiarize yourself with the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality and the impact it can have on employee productivity and morale. We have spared you the research and put together the top 11 stats about the impact of indoor air quality on health in this article right here.
- Start with the Data
Data is a powerful tool when it comes to convincing stakeholders to invest in IAQ monitoring solutions. Collect data on indoor air quality in your workplace, such as air quality measurements, employee complaints, and absenteeism rates. Present this data to your managers or board to illustrate the severity of the problem.
If you don't have access to this data, consider hiring an IAQ consultant to conduct an assessment of your workplace. If this will be your first touchpoint with indoor air quality solutions, we recommend that you check our indoor air quality check as a starting point!
- Make it a Priority
Emphasize that indoor air quality monitoring is a priority for the health and safety of your employees. Highlight the potential health risks associated with poor indoor air quality and the impact it can have on employee productivity and morale.
Here is a statistic that could help you; according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can cause health effects that range from minor, such as eye irritation and coughing, to major, such as cancer or chronic respiratory disease. In addition, poor indoor air quality can result in up to a 5-6% decrease in employee productivity, which is a loss of around €6.000 per full-time-employee per year (in The Netherlands). Now, imagine if there is a total of 50 employees in your building with poor indoor air quality, you might be actually losing €300.000 per year.
- Provide Solutions
When presenting indoor air quality solutions, it's essential to show that you've done your research and are considering the best options for both employees and the business. Avoid presenting simply the cheapest or easiest option, as this may not provide the best solution for indoor air quality issues and might even cause more expensive issues later on. Instead, focus on solutions that are tailored to your workplace's specific concerns.
For instance, consider installing air quality sensors that provide real-time data on pollutant levels in the air. With this data, you can identify problem areas and take targeted actions to improve the air indoors. Additionally, we recommend that you choose a solution that offers you close guidance if you're new in the topic of indoor air quality. Drafting workplace policies that prioritize indoor air quality, such as regular maintenance of HVAC systems and proper ventilation practices can also be beneficial.
By providing these solutions, you demonstrate that you're putting both employee health and safety and the business's bottom line at the forefront.
If you're interested in learning more tips and tools, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We're happy to help.