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

Managing safety and risk in workforce transition

With the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic far from over, facility owners and managers need to stay up to date with the latest information, and stay flexible in their return-to-work planning.

Covid-19: new framework for return-to-work technology

A procurement framework to help public sector organisations access technology that supports social distancing in the workplace has been launched.

Avison Young launches cost containment service

The new offer aims to support strategy development for a post-Covid environment, while building for a resilient and sustainable future.

Mitie joins in Covid-19 testing pilot

The pilot, to evaluate the effectiveness of testing for people without symptoms of the virus who work in high-contact professions, is underway now.

Lockdown boost for sustainability

The UK's lockdown months have inspired individuals and businesses to think harder about the environment, according new research.

Research into managing virus transmission funded

Design and engineering consultancy Arcadis has been awarded £50,000 to help in developing advice on the return to work.

Caterer launches hub to support reopening

Bartlett Mitchell has launched a web-based Covid Info Hub, a portal providing access to support and information ahead of the reopening of the hospitality sector.

Preference for home-working grows

New research commissioned by IWFM has found that the number of employees who do not want to return to the office has nearly doubled since the start of the lockdown.

Sodexo confirms Covid hit in Q3 report

Organic growth was down almost 30% for the support services group; but that's actually better than its earlier expectations.

Covid-19: Mitie supporting seven testing centres

Mitie is now providing services for seven coronavirus regional testing sites, building on the five previously commissioned.

HSE urges businesses to become Covid-secure

The Health and Safety Executive is calling for businesses in Great Britain to make sure they are Covid-secure as more sectors open their doors.

The FM industry under the spotlight

The role of the facilities manager is evolving. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the workplace experience for companies in all industries, finance, retail and tech among them.

Potential trends and changes to workplaces

In the final instalment of this series examining the return to work post-shutdown in the UK, Faegre Drinker solicitors look at the potential trends and longer term changes that the Covid-19 pandemic will likely have on workplaces.

Pest control: advice for FMs offered

National trade body the British Pest Control Association has issued a new guide to help facilities managers re-open premises as lockdown restrictions ease.

BSI updates Covid-19 guidance

Version 2 of BSI's Safe Working Guidelines has been published.

Isn't it ironic?

For all the terrible outcomes associated with Covid-19, it is arguable that a handful of businesses are seeing some benefit arising from the situation.

Post-lockdown expectations: divided opinion looms?

One unexpected side-effect of pandemic lockdown has been a steadily growing file of surveys carried out to uncover experiences and views. A number of these point towards a significant divide about the future of work.

Return to work: getting it right

Getting the workplace ready to reopen is a complex challenge and, happily, there is plenty of advice available. Ensuring the business itself is ready for reopening is a different challenge altogether.

Security officers and Covid-19: new research

One strange and worrying fact emerging from the current pandemic is that security has one of the highest death rates of any occupation. New research explores the reasons why.

Addressing the economic impact of Covid-19

In this second instalment in a series examining the challenges UK employers are likely to face in the coming months, solicitors at Faegre Drinker look at how employers can manage the economic impact the pandemic will likely have on many workplaces.

CBI calls on government to back green recovery

Fast-tracking green investment and making rapid progress towards net-zero emissions while delivering sustainable jobs must be central to recovery plans, the CBI says.

Bartlett Mitchell turns to contact-free app

The caterer has announced the launch of new technology enabling customers to order food straight to their desks, minimising the risk of transmitting coronavirus.

9 to 5 is so in the past

That's the conclusion of a survey of building occupiers carried out by CoreNet Global, the corporate real estate professionals group.

BSI launches workplace hygiene solution

The group's package includes standards, consultancy, training, auditing and the BSI Kitemark.