The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event in living memory. It has had, and continues to have, far-reaching impacts on individuals, our society, the economy and our industry. Many of those impacts have of course been negative; and the challenges implied by that, as well as by the long list of other changes we have been experiencing, will be with us for some time to come. On the more positive side, this does bring some opportunities, too, in terms of highlighting the possibilities of working in different ways, deploying new and appropriate technologies and finding ways to better use resources, for example. And, yes, there may also be some new business opportunities.

A key part of our role is to help provide the FM community with the news, information and insights needed to understand and manage the pandemic impacts, challenges and opportunities. You can access all of the relevant content on i-FM from this page. News, features and comments are shown in the boxes below and to the right. In addition, you can use our Search functions to explore the site for related issues. You can search the news by date or topic, for example ‘Covid-19’. Or you can search our full content on any keyword via our Search page.

This site hub aims to provide easy access to a range of resources for FMs. All suggestions for additional content are welcome – contact us anytime.

Next 24 Articles

Technology-led cleaning at St Pancras International

Covid-19 has driven changes in commercial cleaning with an increased demand for enhanced cleaning coupled with proof of effectiveness and increased hygiene standards.

BAM supporting testing

BAM FM has been confirmed as Covid-19 testing partner for public sector bodies with buildings in the east of England.

New normal: old ways won’t work

To succeed in a hybrid future, organisations must stop duplicating office-centric practices and shift to a human-centric model.

HSE: Covid spot-checks to continue

The Health and Safety Executive has confirmed that it will continue to carry out spot-checks and inspections on businesses over the coming weeks as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Covid-19: A tsunami of information

Data, data everywhere, nor any idea what to think. Apologies to Mr Coleridge, but his ancient mariner’s tale is not a bad parallel for our persistent pandemic experience.

Workplace Futures July set to launch

Following the success of February’s virtual conference, this year for the first time there will be a second. July’s event, free to attend, will tackle the return to the workplace.

9 in 10 fans want greater focus on safety

A survey of sports fans’ attitudes about returning to stadium-based events has uncovered both enthusiasm and concerns.

WFH: interaction remains high on the ‘want’ list

A poll run by ISS UK during Lockdown 3 found that 67% of respondents missed social engagement when working from home.

Flexibility rising up the corporate agenda

‘Before’ and ‘after’ Covid surveys show growing flexibility in approaches to issues attached to work and the workplace.

Employers need a post-Covid new deal

Employment contracts and HR policies will need to be overhauled to create a ‘new deal’ for employers and employees reflecting changed ways of working.

Technology is key to success in flexspace

The recent easing of lockdown and reopening of pubs, shops and outdoor spaces has re-energised discussions surrounding the return to offices.

7.5m workers hope homeworking is permanent

Almost a quarter of UK workers are hoping to work from home all, or almost all, of the time once lockdown restrictions have lifted.

Mid-sized businesses back post-pandemic remote working

Just 5% of over 600 mid-sized businesses surveyed believe that full-time office working will be most effective for their people post-pandemic.

NJC offers ‘return to the workplace’ assurance

The cleaning and support services provider has launched NJC Assure, aiming to help companies and their employees return stronger from the pandemic.

BCO calls for multisensory design

New research from the British Council for Offices argues that a multisensory approach to workplace design can help improve wellbeing.

Mitie offers workplace return advice

With the prospect of a return to the workplace climbing the corporate agenda businesses must adapt their premises to recover quickly, according to a new guide.

TUC warns on workplace safety

We must not drop our guard says General Secretary Frances O’Grady as Covid restrictions begin to be eased.

NHS Deep Cleaning supporting Sue Ryder

Sue Ryder is amongst the first organisations in England to use the recently launched NHS Deep Cleaning and Advisory Service to meet new cleaning standards.

The workplace: a major player in talent attraction & retention

Will Richards highlights three best workplace strategies to support talent attraction and retention in a post-Covid19 world.

WFH: more employers seeing increased productivity

The productivity benefits of homeworking have increased over the past year for some organisations, according to research from CIPD.

Covid-19: driving technology change

Rodrigue Zbinden considers the recent increase in cloud adoption and how hosted security solutions can help to manage teams, facilities and operations.

Workplace Futures white paper available now

February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.

Workplace Futures white paper available now

February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.

Workplace Futures white paper available now

February’s FM conference tackled the big topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities in a very well-received return as an in-person event.