New York, NY — WeWork, a global leader in flexible space solutions, has been awarded a Global Certificate of Conformity for the company’s health and safety enhancements from Bureau Veritas — an internationally recognized testing, inspection, and certification organization.
The certification was awarded after an independent audit of WeWork’s COVID-19 health and safety measures, response plans, and space modifications.
With more than 700 locations around the world, WeWork has been working throughout the pandemic to prioritize the health and safety of all members and employees in their spaces. In connection with guidance from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and other other local health agencies, WeWork spent over $20 million modifying its locations around the world. The modifications the company rolled out beginning in 2020 included:
- Prioritizing personal space by modifying shared spaces with staggered seating and buffer zones, including the use of over 65,000 floor vinyls and over 400,000 tabletop vinyls;
- Increased frequency and scope of cleaning and sanitization of WeWork spaces (door handles, elevator buttons, counter tops, other common areas);
- Enhanced HVAC systems and improved air quality;
- Distribution of sanitization products including 45,000+ hand sanitizing dispensers, 33,000+ wipe dispensers, and 900,000+ boxes of gloves.
“The health and safety of WeWork’s employees and members has been a top priority since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Ebbie Wisecarver, Vice President and Global Head of Design of WeWork. “The validation of our health, safety, and space enhancements by a world-renowned audit agency underscores that WeWork locations are equipped for the future of work, which will require workspaces that prioritize the well-being of our employees and members.”
“Recent research has shown that a safe return to offices, when people are able to, is a positive move towards economic recovery,” said Karolina Lachi Kolarova, Certification Director at Bureau Veritas. “To achieve this, we’ve been working with businesses, including WeWork to introduce and audit robust health, safety and hygiene standards that protect staff and customers from coronavirus transmission. ”
In addition to the above space modifications and health and safety enhancements, WeWork retained International SOS to serve on WeWork’s COVID-19 response team. As part of this, they will advise us on quality assurance and best-in-practice methods of measuring the effectiveness of COVID-19 risk mitigation. They will also educate and support key company stakeholders, and provide strategic direction on medical considerations on an ongoing basis.
About WeWork
WeWork is a global leader in flexible space, providing businesses of all sizes with the space, community, and services they need to run and grow their business. With 859 locations, in 151 cities in 38 countries across the world, WeWork delivers flexible space solutions to its 542,000 members worldwide.
About Bureau Veritas
Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas is a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), delivering high-quality services to help clients meet the growing challenges of quality, safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility. As a trusted partner, Bureau Veritas offers innovative solutions that go beyond simple compliance with regulations and standards, reducing risk, improving performance and promoting sustainable development. Bureau Veritas is recognized and accredited by major national and international organizations and works across a wide range of industries worldwide. The UK business is headquartered in Birmingham, has 1,000 employees and is based in office locations stretching the length and breadth of the UK. The company has 78,000 employees worldwide, with more than 1,500 offices and laboratories, in 140 countries. Bureau Veritas is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (stock symbol: BVI).
