LEGAL VIEW
6 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022
OFFICE OCCUPIERS EXPECT TO
TRANSFORM WORKPLACE DESIGN
Nearly three quarters of global o ice occupiers responding to a survey expect to
transform their workplace design in the next two years.
This is according to global construction, consultancy and facilities
management company, Mace, which has produced a report using data from
a global client workplace survey issued by the company to over 4,000 CRE
professionals.
The report found that businesses worldwide are reviewing their current
workplace o er following the pandemic, in a move to improve employee
experience and attract people back into o ices.
Data collected from businesses with both globally dispersed and single-site
portfolios shows that the primary focus for workplace teams is employee
experience, where 60 per cent of survey respondents said it was their top
priority.
Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of respondents from across a range of sectors,
including manufacturing, financial services, and technology, have shared that
they have revised their workplace strategy due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
When it comes to working habits of employees, businesses reported a
significant change from pre-pandemic practices to their future look ahead, with
48 per cent of businesses stating that their employees were fully o ice-based
before lockdowns, with just two per cent indicating this would be the case in the
future.
With a clear focus on improving the employee experience, nearly 60 per cent
of survey respondents reported they would be making changes to workplace
design in the next 12-24 months, with 28 per cent of corporate real estate leaders
suggesting they would be updating the whole portfolio within that time.
The survey shows that despite the di erences in sectors, global coverage
and portfolio size, that generally businesses and their workplace teams are
reconsidering their workplace experience post-pandemic.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER WHEN
IT COMES TO SWITCHING YOUR
ENERGY TARIFF
By Amy Thompson, Group Digital
Marketing Manager, Winn Solicitors
Energy is one of many costs that businesses have to factor into
their earnings and outgoings, and your energy contract may
contain hidden business energy commissions that you weren’t
even aware of. We have seen an increase in energy prices over
the last few months – so understanding as much as possible
about business energy deals – including fi nding out when you
can switch – stands you in the best stead. With that in mind,
we’re going to talk you through how to switch your supplier
successfully, without falling victim to hidden business energy
commissions.
There are certain circumstances under which you should be able
to switch your business energy contract. One of them is if you’re
on a contract you’ve not chosen. A default or rollover contract
can usually be ended at any time once you’ve selected a new deal.
This usually applies if you have new premises or your fi xed term
contract has ended and you haven’t signed up to a new energy
deal yet.
You should also be able to switch if your business energy
contract has expired and you aren’t bound by any terms. In some
cases, you’ll need to give notice. If you supplier says you can’t
switch, they will need to explain exactly why this is the case.
When switching your energy supplier, you’ll need to know the
terms on your current business energy contract, including the
contract end-date and any notice periods.
Other information you may be asked for include your energy
costs per unit (shown in kilowatt hours on your bill) and
standing charges, as well as your annual energy usage.
Seeking out contracts and weighing up your options
When switching contracts, your fi rst port of call is usually your
current supplier, to see what they can off er. Make it clear that
you intend to compare what they’re off ering to other contracts
by diff erent suppliers, so they provide their very best deal.
You can see what other suppliers are off ering by using
comparison websites, or by drafting in the help of an energy
broker. Ask them which suppliers they represent, and think
about a range of factors such as customer services, sustainability,
notice periods, cashback and other incentives, maintenance
charges, cooling off periods and broker fees. Having a holistic
view of any business energy deal you’re considering will help you
make an informed decision.
Look out for hidden business energy commissions
Another factor to consider is commission, paying particular
attention to whether any hidden business energy commissions
are included in your payments. Recently, it’s come to light that
many energy brokers are including hidden commission in their
off ers to customers, meaning businesses are paying too much for
their energy bills.
Unlike domestic energy deals, business energy contracts
aren’t heavily regulated, so brokers aren’t legally required to
be transparent about the various costs included in the contract.
This means it’s even more important for businesses to pay close
attention to the terms of their contract.
Due to a growing awareness surrounding mis-sold energy
contracts and hefty commission rates, many businesses are now
looking for legal support to help them claw back money where
possible.
Confi rm your switch
Once you’ve chosen a contract you are comfortable with, the fi nal
step is to confi rm your switch and payment method. Your new
supplier will get in touch with you to provide a switching date,
and it can take up to 21 days to complete a switch.
Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you understand
the contract length, any notice periods, and the cost of each unit
of gas or electricity.
www.winnsolicitors.com
SFMI 2021: MORE TRANSPARENCY ON
NET ZERO WILL HELP PUSH THE FM
INDUSTRY FORWARD
Leading FM companies have demonstrated real progress in sustainability but there
must be more transparency around net zero, according to the Sustainable Facilities
Management Index (SFMI) which has published the results of its annual assessments.
Five FM services providers have achieved a Platinum score in the 2021 SFMI. VINCI
Facilities, Skanska, Bouygues Energies & Services, Mite and Equans (formerly Engie)
all achieved an 85+ rating in assessments, demonstrating their commitment to
sustainability in the sector.
Run by sustainability consultancy Acclaro Advisory, the SFMI is the only sustainability
benchmark for the UK FM sector. Now in its ninth year, the SFMI assesses the
environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of FM service providers
annually. Acclaro’s team conducts independent assessments across 23 criteria,
including sustainability frameworks, management systems, social value, energy,
water, compliance, health & safety, employee development, diversity and more.
2021 has been a year of challenges and discovery for the FM sector. Almost two years
a” er COVID-19 emerged, facilities management’s role has shi” ed from crisis mode to
strategic planning. Businesses now need their FM teams to help make sense of the
built environment and the workplace a” er the pandemic, and the FM sector is working
out how it must position itself in the market.
Against this backdrop, the 2021 assessments revealed that FM organisations are
making progress across the three ESG pillars at an operational level, introducing
sustainability on the ground, both internally and externally. However, outside of
a select few leaders, FM organisations have struggled to make any headway at a
strategic level.
The 2021 SFMI assessments have also highlighted a need for progress in supply
chain sustainability. Clearly, FM organisations understand that genuine progress
requires action across the supply chain – especially when it comes to reducing overall
emissions for net zero targets – but there is still the need for guidance on a targeted
strategic and transparent approach in this area.
To download the SFMI 2021 Summary Report, visit https://bit.ly/3Gi4Xg3
NEWS & ANALYSIS FMJ.CO.UK
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