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Women juggling return-to-office and demands at home
Nearly half of working women in the UK say that their stress levels are higher than a year ago.
Economic outlook, technology and sustainability driving fit-outs
The office fit-out landscape continues to evolve, driven by a confluence of economic, technological and societal shifts.
Flexspace: faith in the future
One of the UK’s major property developers/owners has committed to converting 20% of its office portfolio to flexible space.
Office occupancy almost 'back to normal’
Major cities across Europe show average office occupancy rates of close to 60%.
Third of employees question workplace productivity
Research finds 34% of British employees believing their workplace does not enable them to work productively.
Insights into workplace success
As the 2024 UK’s Best Workplace List is published, a survey of the 250,00 people involved sheds light on what’s important.
Report: a transformative 3 years for CRE
Corporate real estate advisor Colliers is forecasting a new period of value creation opportunities for occupiers and investors beginning this year.
Workplace Futures 2024: programme confirmed
The full programme for February’s FM industry conference is complete and online now.
More ‘we’ space, less ‘me’ space
CBRE survey finds hybrid work is continuing to change how employees work when they are in the office.
HqO buys to grow
The real estate experience platform has acquired the Symbiosy portfolio of smart building solutions.
New chair for Flexible Space Association
Andrea Kolokasi now chairs the flexible workspace providers group.
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Best spaces to work in London?
Real estate experience platform HqO has launched a workspace recognition programme for sites in the capital.
RTO: companies need to sell the benefits
If return to the office is the goal, leaders need to be present, extoll the benefits and improve in-office events.
Occupiers eyeing more space
International research indicates more organisations are planning to lease more space in the coming months.
IWFM singles out three workplace megatrends
New report identifies how these are affecting professionals, the sector and the wider business world now and into the future.
Hybrid work on the agenda globally
Most workers may be back in the office for some days, but business leaders still need to meet new expectations.
RTO: wide variations across Europe
Employers in most countries expect people to be in the office more than we do in the UK.
Office occupancy levels climb across Europe
Average office occupancy rates across eight major European cities have risen in the last six months.
WeWork acts to stave off collapse
It's been quite a ride, but now it's come to bankruptcy protection for the flexspace provider.
HqO aims to transform workplace experience
The platform has been selected for a series of UK science and innovation sites.
Tide turning on hybrid working?
New research finds that more professionals are now working full time in an office setting than those who are working in hybrid ways.
Workplace change: headwinds demand careful planning
Current volatile market conditions may give way to some stabilisation in 2024.
RICS releases healthy building guide
Taking on a broad but critical remit, the guide offers advice on designing, delivering and managing healthier buildings.
Remote working here to stay says IoD
A large majority of Institute of Directors members see remote working as a long-term feature.
A licensing system for homeworkers?
A new report suggests employers could introduce a licensing system to ensure homeworkers deliver high performance and work safely.
Corporate backers for ‘definitive’ hybrid working study
The investigation into the impact of hybrid working on people, places and society is aiming for 10,000+ participants from around the world.
CIPD publishes ‘Manifesto for Good Work’
The focus is HR but much of this extends into FM, too.
Top workplace system integrators named
Market research and advisory firm Verdantix has identified five systems integration leaders.
ISS opens innovation lab
The facility services group has officially inaugurated its new Future of Work Innovation Lab in Porto.
AWA expands into India
The workplace consultancy is opening its first hub in the country in recognition of India’s status as an economic powerhouse.
Welcome for indoor air quality standard
The Building Engineering Services Association has praised the creation of the first British Standard for health and wellbeing in buildings.
Is homeworking bad for your health?
Homeworkers are more likely to make questionable dietary decisions, but they are also likely to get more exercise.
Study finds employers cutting back on space
Global research indicates many workers are still coming into the office less than two days a week.
HR “should lean into AI”
That will put it in a position to drive principles about ethical and responsible use to ensure a just and fair transition, says the CIPD.
Acas consulting on flexible working code
The workplace advisory group has opened consultation on updates to its statutory Code of Practice on handling requests for flexible working.
Workplace: connection is key to retention and wellbeing
Three-quarters of office workers are more likely to stay in a job if they’ve built connections with colleagues.
Workplace: what do people want?
Workers increasingly view their work as more than just a source of income, as they seek a deeper relationship with their workplace.
Buildings: new guidelines on inclusion
Guidance will ensure that inclusion is considered at every stage of the design and construction process.
ISS survey reveals worrying workplace trends
While most feel a sense of belonging at work, many worry about sharing opinions and about being treated unfairly.
London flexible office space: growth market
A new market report shows costs down with space available up significantly.
Research: building a future-proof workplace
New research from Sodexo aims to answer the how-to question in the face of continued change.
Companies will pay more for sustainable offices
More evidence that there is a premium on green space, this time from the occupant side of the equation.
Breaks and refreshments count in the workplace
UK employers who encourage their teams to take longer, better quality and more frequent breaks could hold the key to unlocking productivity and improving employee wellbeing.
Critical gaps emerge in workplace solutions
A new global survey points to a costly divide between employee need and employer provision.
Disability: how inclusive is remote and hybrid working?
A nationwide survey has been launched by Lancaster University exploring disabled workers' experiences of these work styles.
Property and people coming together
Real estate decision-making and people-centric strategies are becoming more integrated, according to property advisor CBRE.
CBRE acquires workplace change advisor
The Paris-based workINprogress specialises in workplace strategy and change management services.
Building the future-proof workplace
That’s the theme for Sodexo’s online afternoon event planned for later this week.
Most younger workers back hybrid working
The figure is highest amongst UK Gen Zs (77%) but Millennials, too, (71%) would consider looking for a new job if asked to go into the workplace full-time.
Hybrid workers want to shape work model
Just 14% prefer to have the work model mandated by their employer.
Veolia makes Best Places to Work list
The resource management specialist is in the top group of the best ‘very big’ companies to work for in 2023.
Record flexible occupancy rates
Flexible workspace locations in the UK have hit their highest ever occupancy levels.
Younger workers driving wellbeing trends
Younger generations of workers across the UK are calling for enhanced wellbeing, sustainable and digital workplace practices.
BCO names London’s best-in-class offices
Employee wellbeing and sustainability emerge as defining principles of the leading workplaces, annual awards reveal.
Hybrid working dividend: two weeks a year
New research finds that on average hybrid working employees deliver nearly two extra weeks of work a year for their employer.
The future: it’s hybrid working + collaboration space
A survey from Mace finds that that hybrid working, with a collaborative central space, is the preferred post-pandemic style.
Fit-out costs climbing fast
As post-Covid occupier expectations rise, so too have fit-out costs across key cities.
Ventilation: why clean air is vital to health
The National Engineering Policy Centre has produced a useful interactive infographic highlighting the risks posed by poor ventilation.
Updated client guide to office fit-outs
The revised guide aims to promote best practice in the fit-out process and to take account of new working practices.
Planon launches enhanced workplace app
The new app enables organisations to provide a mobile-first, personalised connection between people and their workplace, services and facilities.
Inviron completes EDF refurbishment
New ways of working sees project complete successfully in nine weeks.
Office sector ‘in the eye of the storm’
A new report on the future of the office finds that while offices are here to stay, the sector is in “a full state of flux”.
Top Leesman rating for government office
The Government Property Agency has achieved Leesman+ certification at its Birmingham Hub.
Flexspace: Tech sector dominates
The Technology, Media and Telecoms sector dominated activity in the European flex market in 2022.
Is hybrid working good for you?
Employers and employees have a differing opinion about the health and wellbeing impact of hybrid working, according to new research.
Energy regulations remain low on the office agenda
New research has found low awareness of new environmental standards despite increased demand for environmentally friendly office space.
Fit-out procurement under the spotlight
New report aims to better understand how procurement practices are affecting the £10bn fit-out industry and how they can be improved.
BCO guidance on greener and healthier offices
New recommendations come in an early update to the British Council for Offices Guide to Specification.
Flexible working: a gift for employers?
New research highlights the importance of flexibility in both employee and employer decision-making, with positive outcomes for both.
ISS unveils Livv
The boutique workplace experience company has officially launched with a mission to help challenger organisations create and maintain inspiring workplaces.
Firms struggle with people data: research
Workforce issues feature in three of the top four business concerns, but people data and discussion aren’t regularly on senior management or boardroom agendas.
IFMA on change and the implications for FM
New research explores how changing organisational priorities are shaping the future of the built environment and FM roles.
Real estate in 2023: partnership and polarisation
JLL is forecasting more bridges built between occupiers and landlords, while the gap between good space and not so good will grow wider.
Back pain trend rises with homeworking
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational illnesses, with back pain topping the list.
Recycled fit-out for Europe Arab Bank
Designers WILL+Partners have delivered a project that has resulted in significant reductions in the client’s waste production and energy use.
What’s set to shape the built environment?
A new report looks at consumer influence on real estate decisions and identifies four themes that will shape decisions for the future.
Holiday boost for the workplace
Research from Mitie finds over half of office workers saying they are excited to be back in the office over the festive period this year.
Planon secures WELL certification
The Planon Innovation Campus has been awarded certification at the Platinum level by the International WELL Building Institute.
Obstacles rise, occupancy drops
It will surprise no one, but accurate data shows the scale of what happens when commuters face cold weather and rail disruption.
Employees want amenities in the workplace
Employees today want more ‘hotel-style’ amenities such as areas for socialising, state-of-the-art infrastructure, outdoor spaces, onsite cafes, air conditioning and flexible work facilities.
Hybrid working ‘now the norm’
A global study of 220 offices in 33 countries has revealed that hybrid working is becoming established as the norm.
More emphasis needed on inclusive workplaces
The real estate industry has an opportunity to embrace inclusive design and make workplaces more appropriate, according to a new report.
Hybrid workers worry about indoor air quality
New research reveals more than half of UK hybrid workers are concerned poor air quality and ventilation will impact their health.
Mitie addresses FM’s ‘most pressing issues’
A new white paper from the FM group tackles eight key questions shaping the industry’s future.
London offices see ‘flight to quality’
A desire for high quality office space is driving increasing demand for Grade A accommodation in the capital.
More companies using more use data
A CBRE survey of clients finds that closer attention is being paid to patterns in office occupancy, use and function.
Baker to chair Workspace SIG
Ian Baker, head of workplace at EMCOR UK, has been appointed as chair of the IWFM Workspace Special Interest Group.
FM market landscape report online now
Trends & Opportunities, the unique annual review from i-FM, looks closely at the UK industry and how it is shaping up for the future.
‘Hybrid hotchpotch’ brings problems
Evidence is growing that hybrid working works best when it is clearly defined and implemented in line with the needs of an organisation and its employees.
Workplace: flexibility, personalised experience are key
Most companies remain uncertain about what their post-pandemic workplaces will look like.
BCO recommends more space per person
The British Council for Offices is calling for a new method of calculating the amount of space needed per person in the post-pandemic world of work.
Hybrid workers worry about energy costs at home
New research reveals the impact the energy crisis is having on the UK workforce, as 70% of hybrid workers admit they’re concerned about the cost of working from home as bills skyrocket.
Flex trend continues to grow
Flex office stock in Europe will reach around 20% of total office stock over the next 10 years.
Technology critical to hybrid working
Organisations need to implement tailored tools and processes that work for their employees, clients and business models.
Inflation affecting corporate real estate decisions
A new survey conducted by CoreNet Global, the association for CRE professionals, has found that high inflation is adding to the uncertainties felt in the sector.
Sensor specialist tackles desk occupancy
Data collection has become one of the most active areas of development as technology pushes ever further into the workplace.
EFP extends Electronic Arts partnership
Energy Fitness Professionals, the providers of corporate fitness and wellbeing services, has expanded its long-term partnership with video game giant Electronic Arts.
Summer heat: the importance of technology
Post-pandemic, the Building Controls Industry Association says, people are expecting their employers to take steps to ensure their place of work is a comfortable environment.
Workplace: the future is hybrid + office
Hybrid working is set to become the dominant model, but decision-makers still believe the corporate office is critical to doing business.
Post-Covid working: measuring the change
A global study of nearly 80 offices in 13 countries representing nearly 80,000 employees has revealed a seismic shift in working patterns.
JLL and HqO extend strategic relationship
The real estate advisory group and the workplace experience platform have sharpened their focus on the importance of workplace experience for building owners and occupiers.
Return-to-the-office challenges?
Subsidised food and beverages could be key to bringing employees back to the workplace, especially during the cost-of-living crisis.
The purpose of the office: it’s complicated
Not just a place to work, for many the office plays a key role in intergenerational learning, social mobility and meeting L&D responsibilities.
Demand for flex space on the rise
Flexibility is increasingly becoming a key strategic driver for businesses, in terms of future planning and gaining an edge in talent attraction.
Three-quarters of employers offer hybrid working
New data from the CIPD shows that more than three-quarters of organisations have embraced hybrid working through a mix of formal and informal arrangements.
HqO acquires Leesman
HqO, an industry-leading workplace experience platform, has announced the acquisition of Leesman, the world’s leader in measuring employee workplace experience.
BCO sees need for new design criteria
The British Council for Offices is proposing updated design criteria for its reference work, the BCO Guide to Specification.
JLL: hybrid working is permanent
Research from the property services group finds that this model has become the most popular option for office workers.
Mid-market firms struggle with hybrid working
New research from business advisers Grant Thornton finds that since the lifting of Covid restrictions in February, the number of firms reporting hybrid working solutions has fallen.
BCO: invest in design for neurodiversity
The British Council for Offices is calling for more inclusive design, regulatory change and also proposing design recommendations.
Workplace: coping with new realities
PwC’s new Workforce Hopes and Fears survey is a reminder of just how much things have changed over the past couple of years.
Workplace investment aims to drive engagement
Employee engagement is the top priority for global businesses and nearly two-thirds are investing in their offices with this in mind.
Five days a week is so over
The majority of UK organisations seem to be settling into a middle ground between Covid-driven work-from-home practices and post-pandemic everyone-back-to-the-office policies.
CBRE increases commitment to flex space
The property services group has announced a new $100m investment in Industrious, a rapidly growing provider of premium flexible workplace solutions.
Majority still favour hybrid working
In CBRE’s latest EMEA Occupier Sentiment Survey 72% of companies said they are moving towards a hybrid workplace model.
IWMS: the future is CPIP
Move over integrated workplace management systems. Make way for connected portfolio intelligence platforms.
Unions push for indoor air quality pledge
Trade unions and scientists want employers to sign a pledge to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees by improving workplace conditions.
May 12th was a big day in the office
Last Thursday office occupancy in the UK reached an average of 42%, the highest national daily average since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
i-FM Technology in FM Award: entry open
Doing great things with technology in FM? We want to hear from you.
Hybrid working: productivity on the rise
The number of employers who report that an increase in homeworking has increased their organisation’s productivity or efficiency has jumped significantly over the last year.
Companies under-investing in hybrid working
New research suggests a lack of planning and investment in hybrid working is threatening to derail a widespread successful return to the office.
How green is your business?
A new report has identified four types of corporate approach to sustainability to help businesses establish just how green they are.
GPA identifies trends for 2022
This year will be a pivotal one for the workplace, says the Government Property Agency.
Hybrid working: there’s no going back
We are not the same people who went home to work in early 2020: the past two years have left a lasting imprint.
10 lessons from the pandemic
Two years ago we were moving into Covid-19 lockdown, setting off what has been called the largest change in how people work in living memory.
Sodexo forms FM alliance in Ireland
The workplace services provider has announced a new strategic alliance with Dublin-headquartered Sensori Facilities Management.
Workplace: the future is technology
That’s certainly the way IWG, parent to Regus and other flex space brands, sees it as it backs a merger with specialist The Instant Group.
Workplace: more doors opening
The number of offices open in both London and the UK has reached figures not seen since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
Include active commuting in ESG policies, says BCO
Putting active commuting at the heart of ESG policies can shift commuters towards more sustainable forms of travel, improve individual health and wellbeing and help companies cut carbon emissions.
Sodexo gets a Vital Spaces makeover
New investment in the London headquarters prioritises the employee experience and creates a showcase for the company’s eco-system of workplace services.
Mitie unveils new workplace design solution
Into the changing world of work comes Sphere, a new technology solution to help businesses design the most effective workspaces for their people.
Workplace: generations ‘not on the same page’
An extensive survey finds 60% of professionals reporting a rise in new challenges post-pandemic when working with colleagues from different generations.
Surveillance risks ‘spiralling out of control’
Intrusive worker surveillance technology needs stronger regulation to ensure protection, warns the TUC.
Grant Thornton: hybrid working works
Internal research shows the business adviser’s UK staff reporting increased productivity and wellbeing.
Navigating changing views on work and the workplace
Employers will be making a potentially fatal mistake if they use the end of Covid-19 restrictions to force staff back into the office every day, says a leading management consultancy.
Post-pandemic period sparks demand for cleaning
UK businesses are prioritising the health and wellness of their employees, as new data reveals an increase of up to 90% in demand for office cleaners across the UK.
Designing inclusive workplaces
A new white paper delivers insights and inspiration for DE&I, HR and business leaders.
RICS unveils IBOS framework
The International Building Operation Standard promises a new approach to measure and manage how buildings perform for people.
Directors back remote working
An Institute of Directors survey of almost 700 business leaders has shown that around 8 out of 10 organisations plan to adopt remote working in the long-term.
Savills buys workplace platform
In another significant move on the proptech front the firm’s investment subsidiary has acquired tenant and workplace experience platform Cureoscity.
Hybrid working: Deloitte confirms strategy
The business advisor has embraced the future and outlined how its 22,000 UK employees will see work and the workplace change.
JLL secures international workplace deal
Standard Chartered Bank has appointed the firm to support workplace and workforce transformation and net zero carbon commitments.
Commercial landlords struggle to attract tenants
Recent market research found 62% of UK commercial landlords having trouble attracting prospective tenants to fill traditional office spaces.
Hybrid working: 14forty offers advice
With the Plan B return to homeworking followed more recently by a change in government advice, there continues to be some confusion around hybrid working and how to make it best work.
Views on the future of work remain mixed
Covid restrictions are being relaxed and central government is calling for people to return to the workplace, but the views of workers are mixed on this.
SoftBank Robotics joins forces with Infogrid
The leading provider of autonomous cobots has formed a strategic partnership with the leading provider of smart building systems.
Many companies not ready for workplace change
A new report finds that organisations risk losing out on key talent unless they improve the quality of their real estate and embed flexible working post-Covid.
EMCOR UK launches workplace app
AXIS is designed to enhance the workplace experience by seamlessly connecting organisations with their employees.
Hybrid working: not easy for everyone
Research carried out just prior to the Plan B switch back to homeworking found many mid-market businesses struggling to implement hybrid working.
Offices: stark warning on the work environment
Office buildings that fail to demonstrate how they support the health and wellbeing of users will swiftly become redundant.
IWFM warns on worker welfare
As employees return to work following the holidays, many will not be returning to the office as they had previously expected.
Demand for flex space rising
As office occupiers adjust to pandemic uncertainties, many are taking the view that flexibility is the greatest benefit on offer.
Covid-19: back to working from home
Employers should be well placed for the Plan B change, says CIPD.
Majority of employers favour day-one flexible working
Over two-fifths of employers say they will be more likely to grant requests for flexible working after the end of pandemic restrictions than they were before Covid-19.
Office occupiers plan workplace change
Nearly three-quarters of office occupiers expect to transform their workplace design in the next two years.
Tech visionaries envision virtual workplace
British tech innovators PixelMax have outlined their vision for the hybrid work revolution and the future of the virtual workplace metaverse.
Hybrid working: companies grapple with change
As companies bring employees back to the office, they are also coming to terms with how to manage varying occupation levels, plus new needs and expectations.
Workplace investment tool launched
The Return on Workplace Investment Tool is a calculator for determining the impact of workplace projects on organisational performance.
Senior execs focused on a hybrid future
Ipsos MORI’s latest Captains of Industry survey has found most expecting the pandemic to have a lasting impact on how and where people work.
CBRE takes on workplace change issues
The property services group has published two new white papers looking at the implications of change in how and where people work.
Employers retreat on flexible working concept
Commercial occupiers’ willingness to allow all employees the choice to work remotely fell from 39% to 26% between March and September 2021.
Air quality: vacuuming makes a real difference
Against a background of growing concern about indoor air quality, one provider of sophisticated cleaning equipment launched research into whether vacuuming could be a ‘hidden’ weapon in the quality arsenal.
Cushman & Wakefield invests in WeWork
The real estate services firm has made a strategic investment of $150m in the global flexible space provider WeWork.
Johnson Controls develops all-in-one solution
The building services specialist says its new system can track sustainability, health and wellness metrics while also reducing energy and water use, waste and carbon footprint.
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Law firms facing up to change
Often regarded as amongst the most conservative business types, the UK’s legal sector is moving swiftly to embrace operational and market changes.
Flex space demand grows
Demand for flexible offices is expected to recover to more than 10% of overall UK office demand in 2022.
ABM tackles indoor air quality
Responding to the impact of Covid-19, the facilities solutions company has launched a programme of services designed to help businesses make improvements in IAQ.
Workplace: majority of staff expected back by year-end
But new research from the Chartered Management Institute also finds that many people will not return till next spring.
Hybrid working could boost social mobility
New research has uncovered another potential benefit of a more flexible approach to work and the workplace.
RICS opens consultation on IBOS
The RICS-developed International Building Operations Standard is an innovative data-led standard that goes beyond the traditional ways of measuring building performance.
CBRE plans ‘next normal’ event
The property services group has announced plans for a thought-leadership event focused on ‘The Next Normal’ at its London HQ in October.
The workplace challenge: triggering new investment
Corporate real estate and facilities management teams are planning new technology investments across employee workplace experience, asset management and cloud-based security solutions.
Covid-19: permanent shifts in the business landscape
Post-Covid changes are likely to bolster major cities outside London and boost UK productivity, as new work patterns stick.
Employee experience driving IT investment
IT and workplace decision-makers are prioritising technology solutions that enhance employee experience and engagement despite ongoing budget constraints.
Flex, tech and wellbeing moving up the agenda
CBRE’s latest EMEA Occupier Survey provides good insights into thinking across this dynamic sector.
C&W partners with WeWork
Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has teamed up with the flexible space provider to develop flex space solutions for landlords and occupiers.
Eurest and 14forty collaborate on office refit
The workplace caterer and the FM services provider have invested in enhanced employee wellbeing and nutrition in their Birmingham workspace.
Amey lauded for Future Office Initiative
Amey Consulting has been presented with an Initiative of the Year Award by RoSPA, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Employers expect more flexible work requests
A new survey from Acas has found that half of employers in Great Britain expect an increase in demand for flexible forms of working post-pandemic.
EMCOR supports wellbeing at work report
The FM company was among a number of collaborators working with Business in the Community to produce the report.
Workplace expectations: trouble ahead?
Staff may be officially returning to the office, but if employers don’t offer the right working experience 60% will leave or become less motivated, according to new research.
Demand for flexible space climbs
Savills-backed flexible office specialist Workthere is reporting enquiries for space up by 48% on pre-Covid levels.
Floor captains: key to the future of the office
Specialist provider of tailored guest services Portico has launched a new white paper exploring the role of floor captains and the value they bring to the workplace.
RICS Global Conference 2021: review
Some 16 months after the Covid-19 pandemic began, it feels like we’ve reached the final stages of grief.
BESA offers air quality guide
The removal of most Covid restrictions has increased calls for practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
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Sodexo names workplace design partner
TSK Group has joined the partnership that underpins Vital Spaces, Sodexo’s people-centric proposition for workplace.
Freespace supporting workplace occupancy research
The workplace technology company is assisting Cardiff University with a study of occupancy patterns at the Open Space Network building in Warminster.
BSC launches new Five Star Audit for 2021
The British Safety Council’s Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit has been revised and updated.
Employees know what they want post-Covid
We’ve said it before and it remains true: one side-effect of the pandemic has been a steady stream of workplace-related research.
A snapshot of FM opinion
At Tuesday’s Workplace Futures conference we ran a series of polls to test views on some of the questions currently being considered and debated across the industry. The results are interesting, and occasionally intriguing.
Workplace Futures: return to the workplace
Yesterday’s conference could not have been more timely and on-target, addressing the needs of not just the FM sector but all those in support service roles.
Corporate occupiers grapple with Covid response
Global office occupancy rates decreased in June compared to May as organisations introduced strategies to tackle the resurgence in coronavirus cases.
Workplace Futures hits a nerve
And ‘nerve’ seems to be the right word, as the build-up to Tuesday’s conference is uncovering a lot of nervousness in the workplace community as the focus turns to dropping Covid restrictions.
Redefining ‘Freedom Day’
Freedom Day shouldn’t signal a mass return to workplaces, but it could signal the start of greater freedom and flexibility in how, when and where people work.
Wellbeing climbs the corporate agenda
Workplace wellbeing will be more important to organisations than product and service innovation, according to research conducted by Bartlett Mitchell.
Big jump in spending on workplace software coming
The overall market for space and workplace management software will grow from $0.9bn in 2021 to surpass $1.7bn in 2026.
Ventilation revolution needs funding
Public funding is urgently needed to ensure buildings benefit from improved awareness around mechanical ventilation systems and airborne disease risk.
Skanska building hits new WELL target
A flagship London office has set a new standard in sustainable workspaces by becoming the first in the UK to achieve WELL Platinum under the new v2 pilot scheme.
Wates adopts flexible working
The company, which employs nearly 4,000 people across the UK, is encouraging them all to experiment with different working patterns that improve their working life.
Research: job quality still falling short
As Covid shines a new light on people, work and workplace, employers are being urged to better understand job quality and to focus on making work a force for good.
Offices: post-Covid gap between occupiers and providers
A new report argues that occupier expectations for building performance are not being met, and that could harm long-term property values.
Awards: BCO crowns best offices
Taunton’s UK Hydrographic Office Headquarters was named Best of the Best at the British Council for Offices’ National Awards last night.
Employers to reduce office space by up to 9m sq ft
The latest addition to the ongoing debate about the future of offices in the UK comes from PwC’s latest Occupier Survey.
Mid-size firms plan to halve office time
A survey of UK mid-size businesses shows a clear shift towards long-term remote working.
BMG partners for sustainable furniture solutions
Business Moves Group is teaming up with sustainable office furniture solutions specialist The Coggin Group.
Suppliers ready but need a plan
As Covid restrictions are eased, more organisations are thinking about the reopening of offices. Can they depend on their suppliers?
BESA calls for new ventilation standards
The Building Engineering Services Association is supporting a campaign to have current building ventilation regulations completely rewritten.
Offices: four trends shaping the future
The office sector is on the cusp of considerable change, says Helical chief executive Gerald Kaye.
Offices: occupiers and landlords out of step?
New research suggests tenants expect changes in space use post-pandemic while landlords don’t.
New normal: old ways won’t work
To succeed in a hybrid future, organisations must stop duplicating office-centric practices and shift to a human-centric model.
Spica awarded grant for workplace app
Birmingham-based Spica Technologies has been awarded over £200,000 in funding to develop a plug and play workplace experience app.
Office occupancy data shows slow return
Data captured by workplace technology specialist Freespace shows low, but rising, occupancy levels.
Workplace Futures July set to launch
Following the success of February’s virtual conference, this year for the first time there will be a second. July’s event, free to attend, will tackle the return to the workplace.
WFH: interaction remains high on the ‘want’ list
A poll run by ISS UK during Lockdown 3 found that 67% of respondents missed social engagement when working from home.
Directors look to future of hybrid working
An IoD survey of 600 business leaders has shown that over 60% of organisations plan to adopt hybrid working even after restrictions ease.
Hybrid working: lease terms may limit take-up
A survey of UK business leaders has found that many organisations may have to wait to adopt a hybrid working model because of being locked into a long-term lease.
Flexibility rising up the corporate agenda
‘Before’ and ‘after’ Covid surveys show growing flexibility in approaches to issues attached to work and the workplace.
Johnson Controls partners with IWBI
The building systems specialist has announced a partnership with the International WELL Building Institute to promote global application of the WELL Building Standard.
7.5m workers hope homeworking is permanent
Almost a quarter of UK workers are hoping to work from home all, or almost all, of the time once lockdown restrictions have lifted.
Mid-sized businesses back post-pandemic remote working
Just 5% of over 600 mid-sized businesses surveyed believe that full-time office working will be most effective for their people post-pandemic.
BCO calls for multisensory design
New research from the British Council for Offices argues that a multisensory approach to workplace design can help improve wellbeing.
Mitie offers workplace return advice
With the prospect of a return to the workplace climbing the corporate agenda businesses must adapt their premises to recover quickly, according to a new guide.
Employees willing to pay for hybrid working
The commitment to change is considerable. In a US study nearly two-thirds of employees said they are willing to pay for access to office space to support new ways of work.
More than two-thirds want flexible working
Most workers in the UK want flexible working to continue, according to extensive new research from Microsoft.
New tools to prevent, reduce and manage stress
As more organisations begin to think about post-lockdown plans the Health & Safety Executive is urging employers to review stress-causing factors in work and workplaces.
Workplace Futures white paper available now
February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.
Workplace Futures white paper available now
February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.
Workplace Futures white paper available now
February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.
Employees want reassurance
More than half of UK employees thinking about returning to the workplace would feel more comfortable if their employer used data to improve the healthiness of the building.
Managing employee experience in a hybrid world
Covid-19 has transformed both the nature of work and the role of the workplace. A new report looks at how businesses can overcome the emerging employee experience challenges.
The business case for air quality
Improving air quality is not just the right thing to do in terms of public health but will also have a significant impact on business profitability and productivity.
Hybrid working must be part of government strategy
A new think-tank report calls on the government to incentivise the establishment of more local offices and hybrid-working initiatives.
IWG sees the benefit of hybrid working
The group behind brands including Regus is seeing its market grow as companies begin to think about post-pandemic workplace solutions.
Shaping the future of work
As more employers begin to plan a return to the office, the shift toward a worker-centric model should be top of mind, says JLL.
Too many workplaces not ready for post-pandemic use
New research shows that workspaces currently on offer to a returning workforce are largely not up to scratch.
BCO: offices should address poor ventilation ‘urgently’
The British Council for Offices is calling on developers, owners and occupiers to ensure that UK offices have adequate ventilation ahead of a return to the workplace.
Law firm to review workplace strategy
International firm Clifford Chance has appointed Cushman & Wakefield to carry out a strategic review of its London occupational requirements.
Return to workplace threatens environmental dividend
With the government revealing its roadmap for the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, it is becoming clear that the green gains of the pandemic could be lost.
FMs confident and looking for growth
A poll of the more than 350 delegates at this year’s Workplace Futures conference provides good insights into what FMs expect to see over the coming months.
Safety Council wants tougher Covid rules
The British Safety Council is calling on government and the HSE to strengthen and enforce Covid Secure workplace rules to protect workers.
CBRE takes stake in flex space provider
The group has acquired a 35% interest in Industrious, a provider of premium flexible workplace solutions in the US.
WFH: not for everyone all the time
The weight of information building up behind the view that office work has changed forever is considerable, though there is still much we don’t know.
GoSpace AI teams up with JLL
The plan is to deliver a revolutionary occupancy management solution for the post-pandemic hybrid workplace.
Mid-sized companies look to cut office space
Over a third of UK mid-sized businesses expect to reduce the amount of space they hold in the future.
2021: what’s in store for the flex space market?
2019 was a year of optimism and growth for providers, and 2020 was a year of uncertainty and challenge. So what comes next?
Office hygiene remains top concern
Another survey sampling the UK’s working population has found most wanting to get back to the office, but only if it is clean and safe.
IWG optimistic despite persistent pandemic
The flex space operator says its anticipated recovery has been delayed into 2021 as virus control measures remain in place in many of its markets.
Majority do not feel safe in buildings
Over 70% of the UK workforce does not feel completely safe working in their employer’s buildings.
Businesses spending more on healthy buildings
An independent survey of more than 800 building decision-makers shows a clear shift to increased investment in healthy building trends and technologies.
Businesses warned on crisis of trust
Organisations face a crisis of trust this year if they continue to make workplace decisions in the dark.
Covid-19 & CRE: the same but different
The property professionals group CoreNet Global has been tracking members’ views on the lasting effects of the pandemic. They have evolved but the themes remain consistent.
Workplace change: communication guide offered
Magenta, the communications agency for the built environment, has launched a guide to help businesses to communicate better as many think again about plans for a return to the office.
Real estate and the Covid-19 pandemic
The corporate property world was already changing when the coronavirus arrived. The real challenge now is handling the new pace of that change,
New report looks at pandemic productivity
Property advisors Avison Young looked into which elements of office-based and home-based working influence knowledge worker productivity.
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Offices: shift predicted in central London demand
Demand for high quality office space in London will remain robust post-Covid, but what companies want and where they want it will change.
Cautious businesses hold back on decisions
Businesses across the UK are rethinking the role of the workplace in these pandemic-hit times, but many remain unwilling to commit to transformational change.
Tracking office use as lockdowns come and go
Office occupancy during the second lockdown remained six times higher than during the first, building sensor data shows.
Infogrid raises $15.5m to accelerate growth
The company, founded in 2018, is set on "making the unfulfilled promise of scalable IoT a reality". And it is targeting FM in particular.
EY pioneers hub & spoke model
Regus parent IWG will provide both a home-base and remote working sites for the business advisor’s Norway team.
Sodexo launches Vital Spaces
The new offering brings together the company’s diverse expertise to provide employers with a connected, people-centric approach to transforming the workplace.
JLL signs workplace deal with BP
JLL is to provide workplace and real estate solutions to support the oil and gas group's transformation and net zero carbon ambitions.
Planning for 2021
What's on the agenda for the coming year? FM never stands still for long: we want to hear about your workplace plans. And we have something to offer in return.
Covid-19: a boost for technology in the workplace
The pandemic could be the death knell for 'dumb buildings' as it catalyses and accelerates the long-term shift to smart technologies.
Work, workplace, risk: shaping property in 2021
Ten trends, all in play now, will shape the commercial real estate industry in the coming year.
Workplace: the future is more human-centric
The workplace of the future will be versatile and hybrid, focusing on employee-centric solutions, according to a global survey.
Workplace: a post-Covid flight to quality
The next three to five years will see a strong focus on flexibility, demanded by both workers and corporates, relating to work activity, space and location.
HR: key trends shaping the future
A new report identifies the trends that will have an impact on organisations, work and workers.
Spica to deliver workplace app for Mace
The workplace experience app will initially be available at the construction management group's global headquarters in London.
Should we tax homeworkers?
A new report from Deutsche Bank suggests that the answer should be yes, bringing a new dimension to discussions about what the 'new normal' might look like.
Third of home-workers feel disconnected
Data from Leesman's ongoing home-working study of more than 145,000 workers has revealed that a significant number of employees feel disconnected from their colleagues and their organisation.
Travel to work: management advice
Amongst everything else Covid-19 has impacted, there's the journey to work. Whether travelling now or at some point in the future, that journey may well need a rethink.
Generational divide in views on place of work
Older home-workers are showing a significantly greater preference for returning to the office than their younger counterparts, according to new research.
Workplace Week full line-up confirmed
The four-day festival showcasing how world-leading organisations are navigating the challenges of 2020 is set to provide virtual delegates with a window into multiple work strategies.
A hub & spoke future?
Over a third of business leaders are considering downsizing their primary office space and shifting towards smaller satellite offices.
BCO reveals London award winners
Five businesses have been recognised in London at the annual British Council for Offices regional awards.
Is flex space the answer?
It could be, says a new report, at least for many UK occupiers facing an uncertain future and needing an alternative to traditional corporate accommodation.
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Workplace change: research backs research
An extensive report on the future of the office and office workers in the UK confirms that the seismic change in the way people work now is here to stay.
Hybrid workplaces will not work for everyone
Organisations could be caught up in a matrix of pain if they do not carefully manage the new realities of hybrid working.
Law firms looking to hybrid working
Even lawyers, perhaps the most traditional-minded when it comes to offices, now seem convinced that the future is about flexibility.
Commercial property: time for a change
For a whole series of reasons there is change underway in the property world, but underlying this is a more fundamental question: what is property actually for?
Calls for POE on all publicly funded buildings
Post-occupancy evaluation should be standard practice to ensure all new buildings meet intended energy efficiency ratings and provide optimum value for money.
Workplace Trends online next week
The long-running conference series will be back, in virtual form, with a strong programme on 15 October.
Lockdown good news: waste levels drop
According to facilities services group PHS, the amount of washroom waste generated by UK organisations in the last four months dropped by 49% year on year.
Working from home works
Research with a sample size of more than 125,000 workers shows that the home is outperforming the office in some fundamental areas.
Workplace Week to go virtual for 2020
The annual showcase for some of the best in work models and workstyles from some of the world's most forward-thinking organisations will take place 9–12 November.
C&W enters flex space market
Cushman & Wakefield, the global real estate services firm, has teamed up with workplace operator Industrious to offer a flexible space solution.
Covid-19: health and safety climb the agenda
The great pandemic work-from-home experiment has proved, broadly, a success. But a quarter of such workers express some concern about their mental wellbeing.
Home-working works, but mental health support needed
New research from the CIPD shows the shift to home-working over the lockdown period has been a positive experience for most employers.
Less space, close to transport
As Londoners start to return to the city, flexible space providers are seeing some clear trends emerge.
CEOs see 'enduring shift' in office use
More than two-thirds of UK CEOs believe there will be a shift towards low density office usage as a consequence of the Covid-19 experience.
Online tool aims to get office occupiers thinking
A property consultancy has launched an online service to help organisations determine what their occupancy requirements will be in preparation for employees returning to the office.
Uneven recovery for flex space operators
Remote working may be an increasingly popular idea, but currently UK flexible office providers are seeing much lower levels of occupancy than elsewhere in Europe.
Sodexo launches Space eXperience
The group's workplace experience design consultancy, Wx, has launched a connected building management solution that supports organisations' return to the office.
Mixed feelings about returning to the office
Many are already back and some don't know when or if they will be back, as employers look for the best way forward.
We have seen the future and it is mixed
A report from property advisors JLL concludes that the pandemic working-from-home experiment is forcing companies to re-imagine the future of work and question the purpose of the office.
Autonomy makes the world go round
Pandemic lockdown or not, the key to good performance, and to success for every business, is employee happiness powered by autonomy.
Altuity teams up with BenefitFM
Altuity, the maintenance, facilities and asset management software company, has launched a new partnership with consultancy BenefitFM.
Return to work must be gradual, says CIPD
The Prime Minister's call for employers to begin bringing people back into the workplace in August has drawn another cautious response.
Flex space: JLL benefits from Serendipity
Another vote in favour of a flexible workspace future as US provider Serendipity Labs appoints the property services group to develop a series of UK locations over the next two years.
Londoners looking for a healthier commute
New statistics from a premium workspace provider suggest that the main concern for businesses post-lockdown is whether employees can get to and from work safely.
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Which way forward?
What better candidate for a workplace transformation case study than Which?
Flexspace: finding a place in corporate thinking
We talked with flexspace expert Kurt Mroncz to find out how this concept went from maybe to mainstream in corporate real estate strategy.
Five things FMs can do to prepare for winter
Ask most facilities managers which season brings the most challenges and the top answer will likely be winter.
FM in a hybrid working world
Often lost in all the conversation around ‘new ways of working’ is what it all means for facilities management.
Digital twins: the next stage of BIM
It’s not controversial to say that BIM, building information modelling, has struggled to gain traction in facilities management market since the concept was introduced to the sector almost 20 years ago.
Corporate property: what now?
Developers, agents, landlords, architects, designers, real estate people and facilities managers united at the British Council for Offices Annual Conference earlier this month. Jo Sutherland looks back.
Thinking a bit more creatively
Steve Brewer reflects on this year’s IWFM ‘agents of change’ conference.
FM for a sustainable future - ready, tech, go
What will it take to achieve a sustainable built environment? To support a hybrid workforce? To maintain resilience and agility?
Optimising the workplace with CAFM
The facilities management sector has undergone a transformational shift. Not only have we witnessed a transition to more digital ways of working, but the responsibilities placed on facilities managers have grown in scope.
Sustainable buildings: visiting the future
April’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report offered a slither of hope that we can stave off the worst ravages of climate breakdown.
Creating workspace cultures to attract Gen Z
The chasm of generational differences between workers is widening with the general acceptance of new remote and hybrid workstyles.
Workplace: airing the big issues
Three years on since The Workplace Event was last held face to face, it made its long-awaited return to the Birmingham NEC this month. Craig Peters reports.
Why businesses should be investing in PropTech
As we begin to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a heightened focus on employee health and wellbeing.
Managing winter’s ‘triple threat’
Steve Rainbow explores how an effective building management system removes the age-old question of when to tinker with the thermostat.
A future for hybrid working
In July Wates Group launched its post-pandemic office concept at its head office in Leatherhead. John Cartwright shares insights and predictions for the future for commercial fit-out.
Managing the return to the office: the legal sector
Most law firms have outperformed expectations on fee income, despite the pandemic. What is less certain is the way the sector is embracing hybrid working.
Cleaning takes centre stage
As the return to the workplace gathers pace, the focus is on building confidence in those people who have been working elsewhere for so many months.
How can offices thrive in the next chapter of work?
After more than a year of uncertainty and lockdowns across the UK, there is renewed confidence in returning to a more normal life as we approach the final stages of the government’s roadmap to lift restrictions.
Digital twins: the new tool for facilities managers
Covid-19 has spurred a wave of innovation across the business world and certainly within FM itself.
Grey space: A flexible opportunity?
Grey space, those areas that now look like being surplus floorspace, might well present an opportunity for office occupiers to invest in new flexible workspace.
Managing employee experience in the hybrid era
The past year has been tough on conventional wisdom. Covid-19 has challenged everything we think we know about the world, including the nature of work and workplace.
Technology is key to success in flexspace
The recent easing of lockdown and reopening of pubs, shops and outdoor spaces has re-energised discussions surrounding the return to offices.
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The workplace: a major player in talent attraction & retention
Will Richards highlights three best workplace strategies to support talent attraction and retention in a post-Covid19 world.
Improving employee experience in a post-Covid world
Few could have predicted the disruption of the pandemic, which has left thousands of buildings across the country lying empty. How do we think about what comes next?
Technology: supporting the return to the office
In the wake of Covid-19, organisations around the world are rethinking space utilisation, employee engagement and wellbeing, sustainability and the overall real estate portfolio.
Getting flexible with workplace management technology
The only constant in life is change. Managing an office building in the 18th century would look a lot different to a 21st century workplace.
Using technology to create better user experiences
2021 will, we hope, see offices reopening and employees returning with new views on how they want to work. Technology has a crucial role to play.
The outlook for the offices in 2021
The year ahead is a promising time for the office market. While the UK faces further lockdown measures, the vaccination programme brings light to the end of the tunnel.
Flexspace and the future of the office
Like many industries, the flexspace sector is facing one of its greatest challenges in the global pandemic.
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Ergonomics for a healthy, productive remote workforce
As we move towards the end of an absolutely tumultuous year, it’s clear that Covid-19 has had a deep and lasting impact on remote working.
A smarter cleaning vision
It is hard to predict the long-term impact that Covid-19 will have on working practices in Europe and the knock-on implications for commercial real estate and workspaces.
Workspace design post-Covid
It's been a challenging year for facilities management on many fronts, and one more lies in the future of the office. We still need them, but what does FM need to do to ensure they are fit for a new future?
Keeping your premises Covid safe
In the facilities management sector, you have the hefty responsibility of looking after your premises and building users, whether these be staff, visitors, customers, residents or patients.
Smart buildings for the 'new normal'
Facilities managers are under pressure to re-open offices safely, but the stakes could not be higher. So how can technology help?
Covid-ready communal areas
Facilities managers across all sectors are incredibly busy right now, as throughout the UK businesses are urged back to work by the government.
Managing safety and risk in workforce transition
With the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic far from over, facility owners and managers need to stay up to date with the latest information, and stay flexible in their return-to-work planning.
Potential trends and changes to workplaces
In the final instalment of this series examining the return to work post-shutdown in the UK, Faegre Drinker solicitors look at the potential trends and longer term changes that the Covid-19 pandemic will likely have on workplaces.
Addressing the economic impact of Covid-19
In this second instalment in a series examining the challenges UK employers are likely to face in the coming months, solicitors at Faegre Drinker look at how employers can manage the economic impact the pandemic will likely have on many workplaces.
Returning to work post-shutdown
The Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown have caused a massive shift in the way we work. The experts from international law firm Faegre Drinker examine the challenges UK employers are likely to face in the coming months.
What future for flexible workspace providers?
Demand for flexible workspace in the UK has dropped to roughly 20% of pre-Covid-19 levels and does not look set to recover soon. But many providers are remaining open, though often with skeleton staff.
Retrofitting workspace to meet new demands
The Covid-19 pandemic is causing us to rethink what is important for the workplace and how offices are designed, built and managed.
Why smart businesses minimise risk with smart detectors
Market research firm Gartner has predicted that in the internet of things marketplace building automation will be the segment with the largest growth rate in 2020, at 42%.
What happens after lockdown?
On Thursday 16 April, the UK government extended the lockdown by at least another three weeks. That’s not to say life will return to normal on early in May, of course. But, in the meantime, how should we think about this?
Businesses clean up to fight invisible enemy
With the number of coronavirus cases rising, businesses are more conscious than ever of the need to protect themselves against this invisible enemy.
University at home: lessons from FM
Sienna Emanuel reports on how students are finding the switch from university facilities to studies at home, and how to make that work.
Working from home: mixed messages, mixed success
Homeworking has rocketed up the agenda at many, if not most, organisations across the public and private sectors as covid-19 forces so much change. But the transition will not be easy for all.
Combatting the January blues with nature
Every January many head back to work after the excitement of Christmas, braving cold and wet weather and committed to ambitious diets and New Year’s resolutions. It’s no wonder many consider this their least favourite month.
Data-driven design to stand the test of time
Getting your workspace right can be a game-changer for any business. But how do you know what style will stand the test of time? What will the workplace of the future look like?
Productive, high-performing and healthy workplaces
Given what we already know, why isn't everyone making changes to create these, asks John O’Brien.
Smart solutions deliver benefits
Eindhoven University of Technology's Atlas Building is reckoned to be the most sustainable educational facility in the world following a 'smart' refurbishment.
Workplace planning: new tech opens new doors
As workplace needs and expectations change, 3D mobile mapping is becoming a key tool in building management, from construction to streamlining the process of maintenance and upgrades.
What the office really means to a business
Increasing the cost-efficiency of a business, managing health and safety requirements, extending the lifespan of assets and monitoring and maintaining compliance all showcase the importance of facilities management today.
Wellness and FM
The word wellness is everywhere. Type #Wellness into Instagram and you'll find 30 million posts ranging from bowls of green salads, to intense exercise routines, to bottles of activated charcoal. All with a collective 'shine' associated with good health.
When the lift doesn't go to the top
The subject of emotional intelligence seems to be everywhere, in bookshops, magazines and Twitter feeds. But how relevant is all this to workplace design and management?
LGBT+ in FM
The why, when and what: insights and updates from the LGBT+ in FM committee.
Combining the power of people and data
UK-based government solutions provider KBR is no stranger to the facilities management market. A major partner to 20% of the British armed forces, KBR also takes on contracts where they provide a client-side and strategic role.
Delivering the goods
In this case study, we look at how the FM team at delivery company Hermes is ensuring the workplace copes with today's pressures, and can also be ready for tomorrow’s.
Protecting people from an invisible killer
Air pollution is a global environmental health issue with reports increasingly suggesting that poor air quality may be associated with mental health problems. Peter Dyment examines ways FMs can help mitigate the problem.
Health, productivity and indoor air quality
As a business, you’re no doubt striving towards giving your customers the best possible experience. As an employer, you’ll be committed to the health and wellbeing of your staff. But something could be impacting your efforts more than you realise.
Solving the productivity puzzle
Leadership is what impacts productivity the most, but not enough attention is paid to it and anyway, asks Sion Davies, do we have the right calibre of leaders in the FM and workplace sectors?
Productivity: new insight into an old problem
New UK research shows high CO2 concentrations in offices are decreasing people’s cognitive capability. John O’Brien explains the background to this and what the findings mean.
How tech is transforming property markets
Over the past five years, new tech has drastically transformed the way B2B and B2C businesses operate. Ritam Gandhi looks at what’s available now and what's on the horizon.
Coworking and the demise of the commercial property lease
Traditional commercial office leases are under threat, as an increasing number of organisations begin to recognise the value of flexible working. But why should facilities managers care about this new trend?
The impact of IoT on facilities management
The Internet of Things is changing fast. What does that mean for facilities managers? David Armour looks at current opportunities and some possibilities on the horizon.
IoT and facilities management
Facilities management is a wide-ranging field that is standing on the edge of a precipice. Lee Davies looks at what technology has to offer for the best way forward.
Office design and the importance of empowerment
Over the past few years, businesses have started to question whether open offices really encourage the behaviours they’re supposed to inspire. But that might well be the wrong starting point for this discussion, as Gerry Brennan explains.
Technology and safety in pharmaceutical FM
Compliance and safety are paramount to every pharmaceutical business, but the focus for the FM team is especially important. Mike Knapp explains.
Workplace wellness now front of mind
Up to five million UK workers have a mental health condition, and UK FMs have a role to play in doing something about it. Fiona Perrin reports.
Cash is no longer king for the FM
Driven by the phenomenal growth of smart technology over the past decade, the UK is heading towards becoming a largely cash-free society, with people preferring to use alternative and more convenient methods of payment.
Facilities management in smart buildings
Building technology has come along in leaps and bounds, and 'smart' projects that can offer tangible, operational benefits to building managers and tenants are becoming increasingly popular. Nick Sacke explores some of the issues and opportunities.
More than free food and bean bags
Adapting our working practices to support millennials can play a big role in staff retention, says Sienna Emanuel.
How nudging can drive higher workplace efficiency
Managers and companies looking to grow profitably can hardly disagree that employee productivity has become the major managerial battlefield. ISS offers some advice on the concept of 'nudging'.
Coworking comes to the corporation
Coworking spaces create community and collaboration. Some enterprises want a bit of that buzz, reports Fiona Perrin from the frontline of flexible working.
Keeping it real in tech
Artificial intelligence, the rise of the robots, the internet of things, big data: technology is coming to take over. But how much of it is delivering real FM benefits today? Fiona Perrin went in search of those who are keeping it real.
Change vs transition in service outsourcing
Change management and transition management are important processes of any service outsourcing project. But what is the difference between them and what outcomes can they help you to achieve? ISS offers insights and advice.
Achieving a high-performing workplace
Leesman, the global business intelligence tool that benchmarks how workplaces support employee and organisational performance, has launched a new research report which outlines where the best workplaces are outperforming the rest.
Collaborative workplaces: flexible and future-proofed
Lieven Bertier explores how technology can help FMs create work spaces fit for the future.
Smart data, efficient schools, improved performance
George Adams and Liam Rock explore some of the complexity of applying big data principles in an education setting, a challenge that promises significant benefits.
Biophilic design: sorting the facts from the myths
Ahead of The Facilities Event this April, i-FM talks to sustainable architectural and interior design guru Oliver Heath about biophilic design, separating the fact from the fiction about this deep connection between humans and nature.
Helping workers escape the concrete jungle
Research from bicycle manufacturer Ribble recently found that most Britons spend 92% of their time indoors. So, if people spend just 8% of their time outside, when do they get to interact with nature? Kenneth Freeman looks at some of the opportunities.
Flexible workspace: drivers and the direction of travel
Things are obviously changing fast in the world of work. Business centres, serviced offices and similar flexible options have been around for years; but suddenly the coworking phenomenon is taking off. Sector expert Kurt Mroncz explains why.
Getting the most from your investment in office space
Here's what we know. The world of work is rapidly changing. If people are happy at work, they will deliver the goods and achieve their potential. Happiness at work builds a solid foundation that enables a thriving, agile workplace. Julia Lindsay explains.
An intelligent workplace for a market intelligence agency
The world of work is changing: we all know that. And it’s great to see some companies move with the times, and sometimes even skip ahead by a few strides.
Why the future of work is more human than you think
Everyone wants to be happy at work, and a growing number of forward-thinking companies are starting to recognise the importance of happiness in the workplace. Marie Puybaraud explains what's behind this shift in attitude.
Sensory overload
Sensor technology is spreading fast. How do we balance the benefits of that with growing concerns about privacy? Raj Krishnamurthy looks at the issues and opportunities.
The workplace: indoor environmental conditions and productivity
Workplace and productivity have become major themes in FM over recent months. Here, Tom Cudmore looks at the crucial role of the environment, its impact on people and how all that can be measured.
Flexible working challenges
Just as today's workers expect greater flexibility from their companies, so should facilities managers look for adaptability and innovation from their contractors. Chris Parkes considers what flexible working means for FMs and their outsourcing partners.
Five ways to safeguard your mobile lone workers
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 employers have legal duties to assess all risks to health and safety, including the risk of lone working.
What's the deal with productivity?
Can workplace design improve productivity, and is that measurable? Simon Iatrou talks to some of the key players behind The Stoddart Review about the report, its aims and the workplace puzzle.
Defining the optimum workplace
Tom Cudmore introduces the Whole Life Performance Plus project, a collaborative effort that is aiming to create workplaces that enhance the productivity and wellbeing of occupants.
The rise and rise of technology
Building systems engineering has become a much more technical discipline. What does that mean for today's engineers and for their FM colleagues?
Tips for effective change management
The world of work is changing rapidly and, as such, many organisations are trying to work out how to take full advantage of the mobility technology avails their people. Andrew Mawson offers some insights into the challenge.
Seeing the light: FMs' views on LEDs
LED lighting could offer a good solution to a number of the big challenges facing all organisations and their facilities management teams. But how much do FMs know about LEDs and what are their views on the pros and cons?
Using technology to improve service experiences
Technology will change how services are managed, how end-users interact with service providers, and how service employees interact with end-users. But what are the opportunities and risks in using technology to improve service experiences?
One FM's journey to see the LED light
Whatever facility you manage, no doubt you are judged by the bottom line. Whether you run a hospital or a warehouse, operating buildings at a lower cost is a continual challenge that often looks to new technology for a solution.
Gen Z: bringing new requirements to the office
In 2017, organisations will focus on flexibility and support workforce wellbeing, especially if they want to recruit and retain Generation Z, says Elyse Emanuel.
Social ergonomics in workplace design
Can our workplace make us more productive? Yes, says Lillian Antonio, senior ergonomist at Herman Miller. The key is simple: be happy.
Planning ahead: a holistic approach to security
James Kelly, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association, discusses the importance of planning for safety in an increasingly dangerous world.
Supply power
Simon Iatrou visits power supply company National Grid to see how facilities management services there are breaking new ground and winning accolades for its smart working programme.
Agile spaces: Bouygues makes a smart move
In February, Bouygues Energies & Services relocated its London offices to Lambeth Palace Road: an opportunity to design a new and innovative agile working environment that promotes collaboration and performance.
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Elevating the workplace experience
FM teams, and increasingly HR professionals, are at the forefront of creating productive, efficient and people-first workplaces.
A few thoughts on 2022, and some on 2023
Simon Iatrou looks back, and then forward, from his perspective on the other side of the Atlantic.
Data, data everywhere
But data is not the same as information. For decision-makers, data can be meaningless, even misleading.
Can dynamic capacity planning offset high office costs this winter?
The world has been through a dramatic learning process, and everyone anticipated a new post-pandemic chapter. But that is still emerging, argues Raj Krishnamurthy.
Is this the end of the corporate reception area?
Workplace culture has emerged as a key factor as companies navigate their strategies and try to ensure that their employees are happy and productive in the office.
Early collaboration with system integrators is vital
The implementation of smart building technology can help attract and retain tenants in a complex post-Covid-19 environment.
The future of FM is changing
Some companies are already showing that agility and the ability to quickly adapt to a new business environment is the key to success.
Work and the workplace: what employers need to know
Employment solicitor Daniel Zona offers some advice on the rules covering hybrid and flexible working and how they might change.
Reestablishing the customer journey
For many, September marked a return to the office. And a shock to the system for many, too.
Finding the right technology in a digital world
The pandemic has spurred workplace change. A survey from McKinsey found that the year following the initial UK lockdown accelerated the adoption of workplace technology by several years.
Keeping company culture alive
Company culture is often discussed, but with so many organisations dispersed why does it matter now more than ever and how do we maintain it during these challenging times?
How can FM prepare to lead change in 2021?
Of all the disciplines within the wider property arena, facilities management is that most accustomed to change. But are we ready for the coming year?
Planning the return to the workplace
Another national lockdown presents a real challenge for many. But if it can provide the time needed to ready the workplace for a strong and safe return, it will be well worth the effort.
The power of working together
Mitie CEO Phil Bentley's four decades of work have left him with a few critical lessons learned.
The FM industry under the spotlight
The role of the facilities manager is evolving. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the workplace experience for companies in all industries, finance, retail and tech among them.
How do we get there from here?
Coronavirus has made futurists of us all. This pandemic is responsible for the most severe change to life since the Second World War and now organisations are scrambling to understand what the ‘new normal’ will look like.
Why hot-desking is the way forward
The government is wrong. Hot-desking is a good solution to get people back to work.
Returning to the workplace: a matter of consent?
The subject of returning to work is on everyone's lips at the moment, following the relaxation in England of restrictions to control the spread of coronavirus.
Returning to work: are we ready?
Over the next few weeks and months, buildings across the country will start to be reoccupied. A gradual process, this will nevertheless presents enormous challenges to many businesses.
The transformational journey to workplace 2030
In the year 2020, I am approximately 43 years into a career that has been more or less exclusively focused on corporate real estate. So writes Chris Hood, looking back in order to see forward more clearly.
Open plan offices: due for disruption
Received wisdom says that open plan offices are good for both employer and employee because they promote face-to-face collaborative working and, as a result, help harness creativity and improve teamwork.
Too much focus on Gen Y?
Lately, there has been loads of copy dedicated to a very specific cohort of the workforce, namely millennials: their personalities, their requirements, what they’ll bring to the workforce and what employers shouldn’t expect from them.
Consciously tackling unconscious bias
Unconscious bias has been common parlance in the business world for some years, and it continues to be one of the most important issues for business to recognise and manage.
Mental health first aiders: a benefit for us all
Wednesday December 19th will see a debate in the Commons, pushing for the implementation of a mental health first aider in every workplace to help bridge the gap between mental health and physical health care legislation in business.
Showcasing values-based activity in FM and workplace
Today is World Values Day, an opportunity to think about the principles that are important to us and to act on them.
FM and the need for leadership
With the world changing fast this is an important time to position facilities management as the lead enabling function for positive progress in multiple aspects of our lives, from the workplace through to cities. Geoff Prudence argues for greater focus.
The top workplace trends of 2018
Gregory Blondeau discusses the trends set to transform the workplace this year including the management of technology, personal data and privacy.
The Elemental Workplace
The relationship between facilities management and the emerging discipline of Workplace has always been slightly awkward.
Broadening the FM view
Considering how an environment makes employees feel and interact is key to creating business-supporting workspaces, says Jeff Flanagan.
Experience counts
Anthony Bennett discusses the role of the service provider in the employee experience.
Managing FM in an agile workspace
Agile working is a hugely popular trend in workplace circles, but how exactly does it look in practice? Ravi Bhatnagar unpacks some of the key issues around the concept for facilities managers.
The business benefits of hard data
Simon Iatrou's recent comment piece titled 'Where's the proof?' prompted a few thoughts on the analysis of data to make a case and how that applies particularly in FM.
Don't over design it
Adam Burtt-Jones argues that design has to ask difficult questions of other professional disciplines to make sure a space is effective.
Style over substance
The temptation to buy the latest must-have gizmo can often be too hard to resist. In the workplace, this impulse negates the practical needs of staff and leads to poorly performing spaces.
The importance of being diligent
Laziness is at the heart of many failures in workplace design, says Adam Burtt-Jones. The solution is to ask the tough questions of the right people.
Workplace management is NOT 'non core'
Another year has gone and we're within a short hop of this year's Workplace Week Convention, entitled 'The work/place revolution… taking human performance to new levels'.
Wellbeing doesn't need to cost the earth
Christopher Pedersen offers his top 10 tips on implementing wellbeing at a very low cost
Remote control
As Workplace Week comes to a close, showcasing some of the best examples of office innovation in the UK, Tim Clapham discusses how technology can help facilitate new ways of working.
Utilisation studies: science or sorcery?
We have all sat through workplace consultants' presentations in which they report that the benchmark workstation utilisation is around 50%. What exactly does that mean?
Flexible workspace: real benefits
Flexible working has long been a hot topic amongst industry folk, but the recent announcement from Yahoo! made the issue a national discussion point yet again.
SAD days are coming
Next Monday many of us will be going to work in semi-darkness as the clocks go back an hour on Sunday.
Getting the balance right
Past experience tells us, or should tell us, that major shifts in working cultures and working practices are invariably linked to new technology.
Game changer opportunity
No matter what the economic circumstances, the successful teams, the successful businesses and the successful people all have one thing in common: a sense of purpose provided by strong leadership.
Shedding light on a big issue
After temperature ('it's too hot', 'the office is freezing'), lighting is one of the main issues that keep facilities helpdesk lines buzzing.
Time to Get Personal
The nine-to-five monotony of the desk-bound office dweller is finally giving way to a work anywhere anytime culture designed to maximise creativity and efficiency. Are you ready for it?
Brand Spanking
It always pays to read the media for which you are writing: you can learn a lot.
Look After Your People
Read all the HR surveys, listen to all the commentators talk about the biggest challenges we face and somewhere up there you will find the word 'retention'.
Death of the Office?
Research suggests that almost total redundancy of the physical office is on the cards in as little as twenty years' time.
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