FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
By Sunil Shah, MD of Acclaro Advisory & The SFMI
The Sustainable Facilities Management Index (SFMI)’s latest report, ‘FM leaders reach the point where sustainability really pays’, highlights the growing commercial benefits of sustainability in the FM sector. Notably, there was a significant focus on social value, with diversity initiatives improving by 17 per cent and positive advancements in health and safety practices.
However, the report also noted that wellbeing came up as the lowest scoring area within the social criteria and has not shown the same level of progression. Traditionally, wellbeing efforts in the FM sector have focused on internal initiatives such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs), surveys, and health-related benefits aimed at an organisation’s own staff. However, the scope of wellbeing is starting to, and should continue to, expand to encompass the supply chain, customers and visitors to buildings managed by FM teams.
The commercial benefits of prioritising social value initiatives are becoming clearer. One of the most pressing challenges in the FM sector is talent retention. A shortage of new talent coming into the sector, coupled with the impending retirement of experienced professionals, has led to a limited talent pool, making it challenging to secure and retain skilled professionals. Companies that actively focus on improving employee wellbeing, diversity, and professional development are better positioned to attract and retain talent.
Investing in wellbeing brings operational advantages as well. Employees who feel supported and valued demonstrate higher productivity, resilience and engagement. Similarly, a supply chain that prioritises wellbeing can contribute to a healthier, more motivated workforce. For FMs, this translates into lower staff turnover, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced service delivery.
The role of FM is to provide services to customers within the buildings, utilising their supply chains and providing a positive experience for visitors. Supporting these groups can also have significant benefits – customers increasingly seek partners who demonstrate strong social value credentials, making wellbeing a key value-add.
The commercial case for prioritising mental health and wellbeing is well-documented. Deloitte’s research has shown that for every £1 invested in tackling mental health problems, organisations can expect an average return of £5.30. Typical measures for assessing the impact of wellbeing initiatives include internal employee questions, employee absences, retention rates and overall business performance metrics.
Several leading FM companies are showcasing a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, as highlighted by the recent SFMI audits. One standout partner has implemented several wellbeing initiatives, including the training of over 600 mental health first aiders over the years, the installation of air quality sensors into their head office – now being expanded for both employees and clients – and quarterly employee surveys, with results from these actively shaping their business strategies.
Wellbeing isn’t a static topic and it’s crucial for organisations to be actively on the lookout for relevant topics within society and amongst their employees. Many SFMI partners are addressing a range of topics in their EAPs including, but not limited to, stress management, menopause, fertility and nutrition, and some going a step further and incorporating these into monthly newsletters and screensavers that change monthly with relevant topics.
Another partner has made ‘People | Wellbeing’ one of their three core pillars of their overarching strategy, emphasising its importance across the organisation. Their dedicated Wellbeing programme includes weekly calls and video content, which has been successful and is being repeated. They are also incorporating nature into their workspaces, incorporating gardens and green spaces to promote health and wellbeing among employees.
The World Wellbeing Movement has identified 12 key areas for evidence-based wellbeing interventions, highlighting the importance of structured approaches. However, measuring the impact of these initiatives remains a challenge. To address this, the SFMI is working on developing a defined approach for FM.
As the FM industry continues to evolve, it is increasingly clear that embedding social value initiatives, particularly around wellbeing, offers not only ethical benefits but significant commercial returns. By enhancing employee satisfaction, boosting retention and productivity and improving the overall experience for customers and visitors; FM can drive sustainable growth and gain a competitive edge.
