March 15, 2022

Retrofit offers the greatest opportunity for a commercial property market beset by uncertainty

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News, Property

In the context of a second major economic shock from war in Ukraine and continuing inflationary concerns, the PWC / ULI report Emerging Trends in Real Estate Global Outlook 2022 focuses on the global outlook for the real estate industry increasing pressure for finance to support the decarbonisation of real estate. The industry challenges lenders and their regulators to provide debt for the retrofit of existing buildings and the scale-up of the ‘climate tech’ needed. More →

March 8, 2022

Workplace apps make it difficult for people to switch off

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Technology, Wellbeing

A new survey claims that workers with access to workplace platforms and apps on their personal devices check notifications more regularly out of office hours than those without access. The Digital Detox survey, conducted by Just Eat for Business, claims to uncover workers’ habits towards breaks and computer use, focusing on screen time. The study also includes expert comments on the mental impact of skipping breaks, and offers advice on how to combat it. More →

March 8, 2022

Active commuting should be part of ESG strategy, says BCO

by Neil Franklin • News, Property, Wellbeing

Putting active commuting at the heart of ESG policies can shift commuters towards more sustainable forms of travel, improve individual health and wellbeing and help companies cut carbon emissions, new research from the British Council for Offices (BCO) has found. A new BCO research report, The Market Cycles II examines the rise of cycling in the UK over the past five years and its impact on office specifications. The report highlights that this period has seen an increase in cycling activity in the UK, with a particularly sharp rise in the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift in travel habits, and a rise in active commuting. More →

March 3, 2022

Bereaved employees feel added pressure of job insecurity

by Neil Franklin • News, Workplace

Empathy, a platform helping families navigate the journey they face after losing a loved one, today released the first edition of its annual Cost of Dying Report (registration). The report reveals results from a new survey exploring the real cost of dying in the US and the impact on bereaved employees. The report includes a foreword from Goldman Sachs, as well as reflections from experts in the end-of-life space including David Kessler, Chief Empathy Officer at Empathy & Grief Expert, BJ Miller, MD, Compassion Advisor at Empathy & Co-Founder of Mettle Health, and Shoshanna Ungerleider, MD, Founder of the End Well Foundation. More →

March 2, 2022

Sustainability doesn’t have to depend on high-tech solutions

by Chris McMahon • Architecture, Environment, Features, Technology

It’s a popular idea that the path to sustainability lies in high-tech solutions. By making everyday items like cars electric, and installing smart systems to monitor and reduce energy use, it seems we’ll still be able to enjoy the comforts to which we’ve become accustomed while doing our bit for the planet – a state known as “green growth”. But the risks of this approach are becoming ever clearer. Many modern technologies use materials like copper, cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements. These metals are in devices like cell phones, televisions and motors. Not only is their supply finite, but large amounts of energy are required for their extraction and processing – producing significant emissions. More →

February 20, 2022

The rise of DBS checks in the modern workplace

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Workplace

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are becoming an increasingly common requirement. More and more industries are realising their utility, for important functions such as increasing the safety of the workplace, and protecting the broader interests of the brand. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the causes behind the rise of DBS checks, to help employers and employees alike better understand their importance. More specifically, we outline the importance of such checks in a modern work environment, and their place in a society which is ever-conscious about the role of privacy. Let’s explore further. More →

February 15, 2022

The opportunities and challenges of new technologies for AML

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Technology

Back in 2021 the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) put out a paper on the opportunities and challenges that new technologies are bringing to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) efforts. If you are unaware of who the FATF is it may be worth your while to investigate farther into it. For now, though, let it be known that they are an independent inter-governmental body that defines the rules and procedures that need to be in place to prevent these two criminal activities. More →

February 14, 2022

New RICS framework aims to “put people at heart of commercial property”

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Property

A new framework from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has been designed to improve building use, support flexible working and put people at the heart of decision making about commercial property. RICS says the International Building Operation Standard will provide organisations an interactive easy-to-use framework, supported by an assessment tool, to measure and benchmark building performance, by collecting consistent data to satisfy the latest needs of occupiers, investors, advisors and end users. More →

February 11, 2022

Wellbeing strategies often fail to align with business objectives

by Neil Franklin • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

Employers feel far more responsibility for employee health and wellbeing than ever, yet formalised strategic action often remains unchanged, claims Aon’s UK Benefits and Trends Survey 2022. The report suggests there has been a significant increase over the last year in the number of employers that strongly agree they have a responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their employees, rising from 20 percent in 2021 to just over half of all respondents (51 percent) in 2022. Forty-four percent agree they have a responsibility, and just 5 percent disagree or have no view. More →

December 14, 2021

Councils can meet net zero targets with help of building renovation

by Jayne Smith • Environment, News, Property

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), together with the World Green Building Council, several European Green Building Councils, Climate Alliance and the Buildings Performance Institute Europe, has published a framework to support cities and local authorities to measure the impacts and wider benefits of building retrofit as a way of meeting their net zero targets. More →

December 3, 2021

Menopause may amount to a disability under law in some cases

by Kathryn Clapp • Comment, Flexible working, Wellbeing

World Menopause Day is held each year on 18 October and its purpose is “to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing” according to the International Menopause Society. This autumn, we have seen this awareness translated into a practical response by the UK Government. More →

November 30, 2021

Government publishes Net Zero guidance for buildings

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News, Property

A new guide to decarbonising public sector buildings and creating a net zero public estate has been launched by the Cabinet Office. The authors of The Net Zero Estate Playbook claims it will ensure consistent approaches, such as using solar panels, LED lighting and greener building materials, are applied across public buildings as they help decarbonise Britain’s largest property portfolio. More →