Click here to listen to the latest FM news on Friday 3rd March 2023
Welcome to InTheNews – covering all the FM news you may have missed over the week:
The UK government is currently missing one of its core Net Zero commitments to reduce CO2 emissions by 101 years, according to the Public Building Energy Efficiency Report.
CO2 emissions from public buildings need to be reduced five times faster than they’re currently falling to meet the target of ‘75% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2037’. The report projects that nine out of ten (91%) public buildings will need upgrading in the next seven years – if they’re to meet net zero targets.
The report, conducted by dedicated network access providers Neos Networks, examined the actual energy usage and efficiency of over 450,000 public buildings in England and Wales.
William Harris, Senior Account Director, Public Sector at Neos Networks said: “It’s clear that greater support from central government is needed – and investment in network connectivity across public buildings is a crucial first step. This will enable more effective data collection and analysis – to make informed decisions about the public building stock in each area.”
The Workforce Institute at UKG surveyed 3,400 people across 10 countries to research mental health in workers, to spotlight the critical role that jobs, leadership, and, most of all, our managers play in supporting mental health in and outside of work.
The research found that Managers impact employees’ mental health (69%) more than doctors (51%) or therapists (41%) — and even the same as a spouse or partner (69%). On top of this, more than 80% of employees would rather have good mental health than a high-paying job.
“We talk a lot about mental health in terms of a medical diagnosis or burnout. While those are serious issues, the day-to-day stressors we live with — especially those caused by work — are what we should talk more about as leaders,” said UKG chief people officer Pat Wadors.
A movement to tackle insecure work is gathering pace amid the cost-of-living crisis, as the Living Wage Foundation announces that 50 UK employers have signed up to provide secure and stable hours to their staff with a Living Hours accreditation.
Living Hours employers are challenging the UK’s culture of precarious employment, which sees nearly one in three working adults facing soaring inflation in jobs that provide less than a week’s notice of shift changes. The number and security of hours people work is a key driver of in-work poverty, alongside their rate of pay.
Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman said: “We are delighted that we have reached the milestone of 50 accredited Living Hours employers. Accredited Living Hours employers voluntarily commit to provide secure and reliable hours to staff alongside a real Living Wage. At a time when low pay, precarious jobs and double-digit inflation are pushing millions to the financial brink, it’s hugely encouraging that momentum is building behind this scheme to end insecure work.”
Pagabo has issued a prior information notice (PIN) for its latest framework to support the public sector with procuring facilities management support.
With an anticipated full-term value of £180m, the Total Facilities Management Framework will enable public sector organisations to compliantly appoint suppliers to manage planned and reactive requirements for their estate. Those organisations appointed to the framework will be responsible for managing hard, soft or total (combined) facilities management services for clients.
Jason Stapley, Chief Procurement Officer at Pagabo, said: “Our new framework agreement is set to deliver a rounded approach to facilities management – including procurement and supply chain management, planned and responsive facility management, all-year-round incident and call handling, and property and asset management.”
You can find out more on news.fmbusinessdaily.com
