MITRE’s commitment to maintaining a clean, healthy workplace has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facilities Operations and Management by the organization that assesses healthy buildings and spaces.
MITRE’s Commitment to Creating a Healthy and Safe Workplace for All
A clean and healthy workplace has long been a top priority at MITRE—ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of our staff and all who enter our facilities. For many of us, a large portion of our days are spent at work, and the average person may spend up to one-third of their lifetime in an office or work setting.
The physical environment employees work in can have huge impact on their quality of life. As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, the ability to provide clean and safe working environments became even more critical—both for MITRE and the global community.
That’s why MITRE is pleased to announce campuses in McLean, Virginia and Bedford, Massachusetts, have earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The IWBI believes everyone deserves to live their best, healthiest life, and a WELL Health-Safety Rating marks an organization’s commitment to creating people-first places.
This evidence-based, third-party verified rating is for all new and existing building and space types, focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment.
“Our buildings serve as the first line of defense against disease,” says Jay Schnitzer, MITRE’s chief technology and medical officer. “By securing our buildings and installing top-of-the-line safety protocols, we protect our employees and visitors, and we enhance our resilience for the future.”
Exceeding Requirements in Health-Safety Measures
The WELL Health-Safety Rating requires that each building achieve 15 features by pursuing a combination of actions among six main health-safety themes. MITRE went beyond the requirement to achieve two additional innovation points related to air filtration and ventilation. The six themes include:
- Cleaning and Sanitization Procedures
- Emergency Preparedness Programs
- Health Service Resources
- Air and Water Quality Management
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Innovation
In partnership with teams across our human resources, health services, and global security services organizations, MITRE implemented a variety of innovative healthy building solutions. These include installing hand washing signs, creating cleaning instructions in the language spoken by the majority of cleaning staff, assessing ventilation and improving air filtration systems across facilities, and promoting health benefits.
“This milestone signifies MITRE’s efforts and commitment to ensuring our buildings are safe and conducive to a healthy workplace,” says Julie Gravallese, MITRE’s vice president of workplace innovation.
“We want everyone to know we have the highest safety standards in place when they walk into our buildings. The WELL Program aligns with and reinforces our commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, their families, and our communities.”
The WELL Health-Safety Rating requires a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators. It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on COVID-19. It also draws from guidance developed by the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other leading agencies, associations, and academic and research institutions on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
As an organization, MITRE is proud to continuously explore, develop, and provide the best working experience for all our talented staff. Our WELL Health-Safety Rating is just one of the ways we know we’re accomplishing that goal.
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