Panel perspective

SERVICE VERSUS COMPLIANCE
As part of the broader questions of the survey we asked what are the most important aspects of an FM’s role? When we first carried out the survey in 2018, compliance was out in front by quite a large margin, but over the last two years it’s swung back to service delivery.

Yet when we asked what is the most important factor in selecting a waste management provider? The top priority is their knowledge of compliance ahead of their commitment to environment issues, with quality and service dropping to third place.

What do you see as the most important aspects of a Facilities Manager’s role?

Asked Foxlee-Brown: “If service and quality is so important for an FM, are they looking to their supplier to take away that headache of managing the compliance aspects with their knowledge of legislation and regulations?”

He added: “We also asked if FMs were more or less concerned about the risk of non-compliance than they were a year ago and according to the results over 80 per cent were more concerned. Is this what’s driving the choice of waste provider? To have that expert knowledge or pressures taken in some extent outside your organisation?”

When it comes to the idea of FMs delegating the compliance angle to the waste provider, our panel argued that because there is so much legislation and regulation for FMs to wade through, they need access to an undeniable expert but: “still know enough if that expert is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. There is that fine line in the middle. If you try and keep up with just the legislation that’s a full-time job. The best any of us can expect to be is well informed so yes you do need industry experts but ones you can rely on. You’re delegating not abdicating so you don’t need to become an expert.”

There was some surprise amongst the panellists to see the results putting service above compliance. “The FMs role from my perspective is to create an environment where your workforce is safe and your building is compliant and I feel that once you have a safe and compliant workplace that is the model to build your service delivery. However, to achieve that you do need to lean on your suppliers and contractors who have the best practice knowledge, and our roles as FMs is to build on that.”

Is improving the management of waste and recycling within your organisation seen as; a challenge, an opportunity or a headache?

The panel mentioned that the disposal of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and other potential bio waste such as masks and gloves is currently a ‘grey area’.

Owen George, Strategic Development Manager for Grundon was able to provide some clarification. “Our advice is that PPE can go into the general waste stream, it doesn’t need to be double bagged and stored for 72 hours, unless there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

“We started to take some of the guidance from our healthcare division and have been applying it to our commercial office customers, communicating with them through blogs and emails. Clear communication is critical as the guidance seemed to change daily at one stage.”

Do you expect to see your compliance-related budgets change over the next year, and if so how much do you expect them to rise or fall?