COVER STORY
A MORE FLEXIBLE FM WORKFORCE
Esther Coleman, Product Manager at Idox, explains why facilities managers need to harness the power of a CAFM system to enable them to enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working for themselves and deliver a great working environment for the business.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of hybrid workers claim that flexibility has improved their physical health. But do facilities managers feel the same? For those still required to work in the office every day using spreadsheets and paper-based information, hybrid working has just added to the workload, from managing an increasingly mobile equipment estate to redesigning office space. It’s time to change.
Changing employee dynamics Hybrid working is now standard for most UK businesses. Two-fifths (40%) of organisations have seen an increase in requests for flexible working in recent years – and three-fifths (60%) of employees confirm they have flexible working arrangements in their current role. The pace of change has been challenging, however, with debates still raging about the implications for productivity and corporate culture. And while businesses are beginning to encourage individuals back to the office more frequently, the continual shift in attitudes and policies only adds pressure to facilities managers.
With hot desking and flexible working options, facilities managers have to cope with office spaces that may be over-subscribed one day and empty the next. They need to oversee the management, maintenance and servicing of assets and equipment that have, by default, become far more mobile. That means more compliance risks, especially when end users fail to bring equipment in for testing. It also means preventative maintenance strategies can be compromised because ascertaining the location of equipment can be more challenging. Plus, what does this new working model mean for long-term equipment
22 | TOMORROW’S FM
replacement plans and the number of engineers required? Is it time to shift to subcontractors or even adopt a completely serviced model?
“Two-fifths (40%) of organisations have seen an increase in requests for flexible working in recent years."
Facilities managers are on the front line when it comes to understanding how buildings are used – and the associated costs. With open-plan offices and meeting rooms, traditionally it has been relatively straightforward to map employee numbers to space requirements. But with changing employee expectations and the rising costs experienced over the past year, businesses are looking closely at options for downsizing. They are also looking to redesign office layouts to improve productivity when people are in the office. If and when opportunities for lease renegotiation arise, how much space does the organisation require, and in what configuration? Could space be sublet or divested altogether?
Empowering flexible facilities management It is hugely frustrating for facilities managers to be compelled to make all these judgements about flexible
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