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

More set to return to the workplace?

The pandemic-inspired future-of-work debate seems to be entering a new phase focusing on how many people will return/stay away if they can.

Employees want reassurance

More than half of UK employees thinking about returning to the workplace would feel more comfortable if their employer used data to improve the healthiness of the building.

Improving employee experience in a post-Covid world

Few could have predicted the disruption of the pandemic, which has left thousands of buildings across the country lying empty. How do we think about what comes next?

Seal of approval for student accommodation

The Sodexo-managed student accommodation at Northumbria University has received the Rise Safe label from Bureau Veritas.

Homeworkers want help to cut costs and impacts

As research continues to show preferences for continued homeworking, the associated increase in household energy use is causing concern.

The business case for air quality

Improving air quality is not just the right thing to do in terms of public health but will also have a significant impact on business profitability and productivity.

Hybrid working must be part of government strategy

A new think-tank report calls on the government to incentivise the establishment of more local offices and hybrid-working initiatives.

Mitie named for Covid testing sites

Mitie has been appointed as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Service agreement for Covid community testing sites.

IWG sees the benefit of hybrid working

The group behind brands including Regus is seeing its market grow as companies begin to think about post-pandemic workplace solutions.

Too many workplaces not ready for post-pandemic use

New research shows that workspaces currently on offer to a returning workforce are largely not up to scratch.

BCO: offices should address poor ventilation ‘urgently’

The British Council for Offices is calling on developers, owners and occupiers to ensure that UK offices have adequate ventilation ahead of a return to the workplace.

NHS cleaning protocol launched

The protocol, developed by an NHS trust in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is being rolled out across England.

Technology: supporting the return to the office

In the wake of Covid-19, organisations around the world are rethinking space utilisation, employee engagement and wellbeing, sustainability and the overall real estate portfolio.

Workplace Futures slides and videos available

Full video coverage, as well as speaker slides, from February’s conference are now on the event website.

Workplace Futures slides and videos available

Full video coverage, as well as speaker slides, from February’s conference are now on the event website.

BESA: schools need to take IAQ seriously

With students returning to schools in England, the Building Engineering Services Association is warning that opening windows is not a good strategy for managing virus transmission.

Safety Council wants tougher Covid rules

The British Safety Council is calling on government and the HSE to strengthen and enforce Covid Secure workplace rules to protect workers.

Pinnacle to support Stoke-on-Trent testing

The facilities services company is to assist with a new Covid-19 testing initiative at a site it already manages.

Covid vaccines and return to the workplace

The CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, has published guidance to help employers navigate vaccinations and the return to workplaces.

Survival to revival: supply chains in the 'new normal'

Steve McGregor shares his company’s journey through the challenges and opportunities faced by the built environment sector over the past year.

University at home: lessons from FM a year on

Nearly 11 months have passed since I started online education and there is still much that universities can learn from the FM sector, Sienna Emanuel writes.

WFH: not for everyone all the time

The weight of information building up behind the view that office work has changed forever is considerable, though there is still much we don’t know.

Covid-19: lessons for managing outdoor spaces

One effect of pandemic restrictions has been an increase in the use of parks and open spaces. So, what are the best ways to manage these?

Clenetix partners for air quality

The cleaning software services start-up is extending its focus with an alliance that brings in digital technology to improve indoor air quality.