Welcome to InTheNews – covering all the FM news you may have missed over the week:
A big question for many employers in 2023 still remains ‘how do we bring people back to the office?’ Sodexo’s research reveals the top reasons which would help draw workers back in, with synergy between people, space and sustainability core to building a future-proof workplace, driving business performance and employee experience.
Two thirds of those surveyed said they were satisfied with their current working pattern. While 58% continue to work a hybrid pattern, 36% stated they would come into the office more to connect with other people.
CEO Corporate Services Julie Ennis said: “Interestingly the tracker research shows us that 43% of workers are only somewhat satisfied with their workplace experience. This is a risk for employers as these workers could move to become quiet quitters, but why is this group being overlooked? The question we need to ask ourselves is what piece of the puzzle are we missing?”
New research has revealed that companies are willing to accept higher rents for more sustainable corporate office space following the rise of hybrid working.
The latest report from property analytics software firm, CIM, Tenant Preferences in the UK Office Market, surveyed 200 UK directors and senior personnel involved in key real estate decisions from companies that were large tenants of office space. It found that while occupancy rates still lag behind pre-pandemic levels, a large majority (72%) of respondents expect their business to move to at least three in-office days a week over the next two years.
“While our research demonstrates a clear urge from senior decision-makers for the workforce to spend more time in the office, the significant headwinds the market has experienced over the last three years have changed occupier expectations,” Regional vice president Cillian Casey said.
Earlier this month, Amey and Hays launched a new business support programme as part of their sustainable procurement commitments. The Amey Hays Social Enterprise Initiative programme will provide four VCSEs (voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations) with expert guidance and grant funding to help them scale up their work.
With a grant of up to £10,000 available for each partner, Amey and Hays professionals will support VCSEs throughout the next phase to make best use of this funding in growing their operations. Sector experts from Social Enterprise UK will then independently review the programme’s impact and advise on how it could expand or improve to support more organisations in future.
Sue Racster, Social Value Manager, Amey, commented, “We are delighted to have launched this initiative with Hays. We are incredibly passionate about sustainable procurement and this programme enables us to support organisations beyond our own supply chain.
And finally, ISS A/S has announced the appointment of Kasper Fangel as the company’s new Group CEO, effective 1 September 2023.
This appointment comes after the resignation of Jacob Aarup-Andersen in March, and it marks an important milestone in ISS’s continued growth and strategic execution of its OneISS strategy.
Kasper expressed his delight and commitment to leading ISS into the future, saying: “It is with great pride and honour to be appointed the leader of this great people company – a company known for its people-centric culture and its commitment to delivering exceptional workplace experiences and facility management solutions.”
You can find out more on news.fmbusinessdaily.com
