FLEXSPACE OPERATOR’S VIEW
JULIAN COOPER
MANAGING DIRECTOR AT CLARENDON
As with any other workplace, flexible
space operators have carried out
extensive risk assessments and
implemented new procedures
to ensure spaces are clean and
hygienic. However, the flexspace
sector is unique in that by its very
nature it is a workspace that has
many comings and goings from
employees of di erent companies.
We work with professional cleaning
partners to ensure that spaces are
cleaned to the highest standard.
They operate throughout the day which has a dual purpose – spaces
receive frequent cleaning, and tenants see that cleaning teams are
highly active.
Signage deployed around buildings reminds occupants to keep a two
metres distance when possible and to follow one-way systems. Though
most people are familiar with these processes, this is a case where
there is no such thing as over-communicating. If an occupant does not
feel completely safe in a space, they simply will not enter it.
Our website has a dedicated COVID page that includes our statement
on how we are ensuring our buildings are safe, our risk assessment
procedures and a link to the Government website on working safely
during the pandemic. Linking back to sites of authority like the
Government or NHS adds another layer of assurance to occupants that
we are adhering to the rules.
Finally, we actively talk to and share information with our occupants.
Whether this is in-person, by email or on social media, we give regular
updates and are always available to answer questions.
It’s shaping up to be a busy time for the flexspace sector in the year
ahead. With many businesses looking to diversify their portfolios and
add flex to traditional space, we are expecting to see strong demand.
Operators will need to maintain extremely hygienic spaces to attract
and retain tenants.
Technology will play a big part in this. We have already started virtual
tours which allow prospective tenants to walk through our spaces from
the comfort of their desks.
Tech will also help minimise human contact with surfaces in the
workplace. Key fobs to unlock doors, automatic doors and lights
that switch on by sensor are all great options. We’ll also see app use
increase for things like booking meeting rooms.
This will allow flexspace operators to provide safe workplaces without
compromising on any of the benefits that tenants use the space for – a
stimulating, collaborative space with all the necessary amenities.
CATERING AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR'S VIEW
IAN THOMAS
CEO, BARTLETT MITCHELL
The pandemic has undoubtedly been a time for reflection, both
professionally and personally. The hospitality sector, specifically
contract catering, has adapted, sometimes daily, to the rapidly
changing requirements set out by the Government. However, most
importantly, we have really tapped into our agility as an organisation;
paying close attention to the needs of our clients and changing
behaviour of guests in our restaurants across the UK.
Throughout this pandemic and the post lockdown period, we've
22 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021
learned that people still see food as that social glue. Food and eating
plays such a significant role in all of our personal lives and we have
seen how this has translated to the workplace too where, even with
the restrictions in place, companies and organisations still see eating
together as playing a central role in how they converse, discuss and
collaborate.
While we understand the challenges around people returning to
the workplace now, we do believe that this won’t be the case forever.
During the lockdown, we’ve truly understood the value of being
together, in person. People need human interaction and I’m sure that
we will see this translate to working practices once this pandemic is
eventually behind us.
Understanding the benefits of being together has never been greater.
Not only does this help in terms of engagement with teams, but it also
makes us more productive. While many people initially loved the idea
of working from home, there is plenty of evidence now to suggest that,
for some functions, we are not as productive as we would be if we had
‘o ice time’. This is a major learning for all of us as the theory had not
been truly tested before.
Clearly, mental health and
wellbeing will also play a major
role in how the new world
will look like. This period has
just highlighted how seriously
organisations will need to take
this. Workplace hospitality can
clearly play an important role
to facilitate this. Of course,
things will be di erent, and
we will see more working from
home, but not full-time. People
will still get together so our
working spaces may shi as a result of this.
For caterers, we will play an integral role in the transition back to
the new version of the workplace, and the subsequent engagement
therea er. As is the case with so many businesses in our sector, we
are working on developing a proposition which is tailored to the new
behaviours and ways of working. Whether its onsite, delivered-in, or
delivered at home, we see the changes as being evolutionary rather
than revolutionary. The model we deployed before worked well, but
will need to be tailored. What we have learned during this period is that
‘bespoking’ an o er has never been more important.
Clients and businesses will all have a very di erent need for change
– we need to tap into where they are in their journey. We know that,
when teams go into the o ice, their experience needs to be incredible.
This is why businesses will need to play ever closer attention to their
culture and sense of community. Catering and hospitality will be
integral to this.
THE IWFM'S VIEW
LINDA HAUSMANIS
CEO, INSTITUTE OF WORKPLACE AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
One of the key challenges of the crisis has been maintaining a
successful workplace strategy in the absence of a physical workspace.
Maintaining productivity and keeping good work going throughout
the disruption has been key to success; it has taken Herculean e orts
to ensure employees’ remote working environments are suitable for
e ective working. Few believe things will return exactly as before, so
maintaining the best of this will be crucial as we move forward and the
concept of agile working becomes a post-pandemic norm.
To this end, one of the key lessons is the vital importance of
FM CLINIC
Ian Thomas
Julian Cooper
ADVICE & OPINION