British Institute of Facilities Managers have launched one of the largest ever reviews of the state of Britain’s workplaces.
The BIFM, the ‘natural home’ of facilities management in the UK, with a mission to advance the facilities management profession, provides information, education, training and networking services for its members. The survey will be conducted by Leesman; an online survey, data capture and audit service provider for the workplace design and management industry, which launched its core product, the Leesman Index (the first unified and truly independent workplace effectiveness employee survey and workplace satisfaction rating) earlier this year.
With more than 12,000 members managing millions of square feet of occupied workplace environments here and abroad, the BIFM is seeking to understand quite what role business leaders see the workplace playing in a post-recessional economic recovery.
“With estimates of some 10m Sq ft of real-estate sitting vacant in London alone, workplace facility management teams have never been under greater pressure to contribute strategically to the success of the businesses whose spaces they manage.” Explains Ian Fielder, Chief Executive of the BIFM. “We’ve been carefully watching how some organisations have forged ahead in the workplace arena and wanted a snapshot of what role their workplaces are playing for them in the strategic development of their business. At a time when all are struggling to manage costs while increase effectiveness and productivity, we are keen to know what importance is being placed on the contribution of the workplace in achieving these goals.”
“Juggling space and people is a tricky act,” admits Tim Oldman, Managing Director of Leesman, who will undertake the study. “As emergent technologies allow an unprecedented review of how and from where employees contribute, business leaders have to make some hefty decisions on what value they place on the spaces they provide for their teams. The power of positive staff engagement is well understood, but there is little consistent research to track how changes in workplace environments, positively or negatively impact employee contribution.”
The eight-point e-questionnaire will be sent to all BIFM members, along with 8,000 pre-registered
