FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Plans to encourage early retirees back into work will hit a road block unless offices are given an MOT too, says global workplace creation expert, Unispace.With the Government pushing ahead with plans to encourage over 50s back into employment through a ‘midlife MOT’ as skills shortages continue to impact the economy, Unispace has warned that workplaces themselves are not aiding the attraction and retention of this demographic of the workforce.In its study of 3,000 office workers across Europe, the firm found that 78 per cent of those over the age of 45 would make significant improvements to the office space and environment. Incentives including access to free lunches and enhanced amenities were ranked as top desires from this demographic by 67 per cent and 57 per cent of respondents respectively.Almost half (45 per cent) revealed that they missed the social aspects of the office while working remotely. This suggests that in order to encourage more over 50s back into work, businesses will need to rethink how the office is used by the entire workforce in order to create the social set up that so many in the older demographic desire.Lawrence Mohiuddine, CEO, EMEA at Unispace commented: “With skills shortages still impacting the UK despite the tough economic climate, the plans to encourage those who retired early back into work is a move that many will welcome. However, we cannot overlook the fact that there are reasons why those that fall into this group left in the first place. While the current ‘MOT’ plans are focused on re-engaging the over 50s, the role that the office itself plays is crucial. The older segment of the workforce places a clear value on more from the workplace than just having a location to work from.“While the older workforce clearly values better amenities in the office, it is the social interaction element that today’s firms can ill-afford to ignore. The ability to socialise with peers is a big driver for this age group, but in order to provide this for returning retirees, firms need to encourage others to also make greater use of the workplace. How we all interact with the office has evolved significantly in a short space of time and if they are to be truly used as the valuable attraction and retention tool that they should be, workspaces need their own MOT.”
FMJ in conjunction with Grundon Waste Management is pleased to launch the 2023 waste management and recycling survey which examines the ways in which FMs approach their waste management responsibilities.
In this, the sixth year for the annual appraisal, we know there is a greater opportunity than ever for FMs to reappraise their waste and recycling operations and help their organisations meet the growing pressure to achieve ESG goals.
We want to learn how FMs have adapted to the legislative, economic and societal changes of the past year and how they plan to meet the latest waste and recycling targets.
In this survey we’ve posed a series of questions which include insights into FMs’ waste management strategy and targets, how they’re moving towards zero waste targets, and the importance of not just meeting compliance targets but also ESG goals.
The results of the 2023 survey will be published in FMJ magazine and form the basis of a white paper co-written by FMJ and the experts at Grundon on how to approach waste and recycling strategies.
To take part click here.
