Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Office vacancy rates have climbed sharply in the wake of the pandemic as many firms downsized office space due to remote work. Nationally, the United States office vacancy rate hovered around the high teens by late 2023 (nearly 17%–20%, up from roughly 9% pre-pandemic). Major city centers have been hit especially hard. These elevated vacancies […]
There’s no denying that improving the employee experience is complex and even challenging for many organizations—further complicated by the surge in return-to-office (RTO) mandates. As we’ve seen in various news reports, mandates don’t operate in a vacuum. While employers continue to push for in-office presence, team members across all geographies and industries have their own […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the modern office. It is an ongoing journey to define today’s workplace, and many companies navigating this path have turned to hot desking, a practice where employees are […]
Following the mass work-from-home movement triggered by COVID-19, office spaces are filling up again. In fact, a recent report found that 73% of companies with return-to-office (RTO) policies are expected to require three or more days in the office by the end of 2025. In light of this, the commercial cleaning industry is on track for […]
The world of lighting control has entered a new era, blending the strengths of wired and wireless technologies into hybrid solutions. This approach delivers flexibility, energy efficiency, scalability, and ease of maintenance—meeting the diverse needs of modern buildings and their occupants. But what exactly is hybrid lighting control, and why is it gaining traction in […]
From emerging technologies to shifting generational expectations, a new report explores the key trends and innovations poised to redefine the workplace in 2025, especially amid the ongoing return-to-office debate. The 2025 Workplace Predictions report from Envoy surveyed nearly 500 executives across IT, HR, facilities, and workplace management roles. “The conversation about the workplace of tomorrow […]
Tuning in to employee feedback isn’t just an exercise in goodwill—it’s a powerhouse strategy to elevate performance, streamline operations, and ultimately, pad the bottom line. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, employees not feeling engaged—or worse, being actively disengaged—is costing the workplace world a hefty $8.9 trillion. Employee engagement refers to […]
Jackie Riegel Kittek, a facilities manager at global services firm CAI, is passionate about women’s empowerment in the industry. According to her, “When we celebrate women role models, we inspire the next generation to pursue a career in this field.” It’s an important goal, given that women account for only 25% of the FM workforce […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees federal facilities and represents one of the largest landlords in the country, is accelerating its efforts to “right-size and modernize” its federal real estate portfolio. After revealing plans to offload 23 properties in 2023 and three more earlier this year, the agency has now started the disposition […]
It’s Monday morning in the summer. You shuffle into the office, your laptop’s fan kicking in to do its best impression of a struggling jet engine. The air feels thick, the windows are fogging, and the thermostat might as well be set to “uncomfortable.” Suddenly, the whole day feels heavier. It’s no secret—air quality and […]