The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Supporting Better Working Environments

15 December 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970
 

Almost every day there seems to be a new research report, opinion piece or white paper discussing how employee happiness, wellbeing and agile working contribute to productive and effective working environments, writes Paul Crilly.

It is reassuring that the property and facilities sectors are now focusing on the factors that directly affect employees, as people are the largest cost and biggest contributor to success for most companies.

When our customer Landsec relocated their headquarters from the Strand to Victoria, there was no question that they would set themselves some rigorous objectives in the delivery of a healthy and satisfying environment. The relocation provided Landsec with the opportunity to adopt a new workplace strategy aimed at bringing together different areas of the business.

 

Research

Landsec decided on an approach grounded in the latest research and thinking, to adopt a new workplace strategy aimed at increasing communication, collaboration, employee wellbeing and sustainability.

To achieve this, the BREEAM and International WELL Building Institute frameworks were adopted and the project led to the first dual certified workplace in the world to reach BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Certified SilverTM.

 

Cleaning and waste services

Facilities services often receive little mention in achieving leading working environments but cleaning and waste services have played an important part in achieving these standards.

NJC recognised that not only would processes and procedures have to change but our overall approach to resourcing the project would need to be different. We realised that the manner in which we briefed our on-site staff and the training we provided was critical to maintaining the standards.

 

Training

Our cleaning training has been tailored to the needs and protocols of the frameworks, focusing on cleaning procedures, safety and recording of information in appropriate cleaning logs. Waste has been reduced, with all our team fully trained in waste separation and recycling.

 

Hygiene

NJC has worked with the Landsec team to introduce additional cleaning protocols, including specific cleaning of all high touch surfaces (including light switches and door handles) to ensure high levels of hygiene, contributing to employee health.

 

Chemical avoidance

Eco-labelled products have been adopted to avoid chemicals which may adversely affect indoor air quality and cause eye, nose or throat irritation, while fragrance free soap is available at all hand-wash locations.

 

Leesman

But we do not have to take Landsec’s word on the new holistic approach achieving a better working environment. The changes have had a significant impact with a recent Leesman survey of the Landsec headquarters finding that 88% of employees felt that the new office enables them to work productively, compared to a global average of 67%. In addition, they are the second and largest, UK workspace to be WELL CertifiedTM.

With health, wellbeing and productivity rightly on the agenda of most companies today, we look forward to using our expertise and knowledge to partner and support other organisations on their journey.

Picture: Landsec headquarters, Victoria, London

Paul Crilly is Managing Director of NJC

 

Article written by Paul Crilly | Published 15 December 2017

Share


Related Tags


Related Articles

BCIA Releases New Technical Guides

The Building Controls Industry Association has published two new technical guides that cover building assessment schemes and regulations for commercial buildings. The...

 Read Full Article
How Can LightFi Work with BREEAM In-Use Criteria to Ensure the Most Sustainable Buildings?

Innovative Proptech companies such as LightFi are paving the way to net-zero by helping buildings become more energy efficient whilst promoting occupant health and...

 Read Full Article
High Performing Buildings – August's Roundup

This month’s roundup of high-performing buildings looks at offices that have achieved industry certifications, such as WiredScore Platinum certification,...

 Read Full Article
First UK Commercial Building to Achieve the Top Three Wellbeing Certifications 

Bloom Clerkenwell has become the first commercial building in the UK to achieve the highest accreditations for wellbeing, sustainability and digital...

 Read Full Article
Kier to Deliver £69m Sustainable Commercial Development at 135 Park Street

A new commercial building at 135 Park Street in Southwark, London will provide 131,900 sq ft of office space, 12,900 sq ft of affordable workspace, and a further 1,500 sq...

 Read Full Article
Bradford – UK City of Culture 2025

The Bradford district has been named UK City of Culture 2025. The winner of the hotly contested competition was announced live on BBC 1’s The One Show on 31...

 Read Full Article
Schroders Capital Obtains Planning Consent for 3 Ruskin Square

Detailed planning consent has been secured from Croydon Council for 3 Ruskin Square, a 14-storey office building adjacent to East Croydon Station. The building,...

 Read Full Article
LSE Secures £175m for Green and Social Projects

The funding for the London School of Economics and Political Science includes the development of a new building, 35 Lincoln’s Inn...

 Read Full Article
Madison International Realty Invests in 105 Victoria Street

Madison International Realty has invested in 105 Victoria Street, the UK's largest net-zero office development. This is in addition to the funding from Welput, the...

 Read Full Article
2022 BREEAM Awards Winners Revealed

BRE has revealed the winners of its annual BREEAM Awards, a celebration of sustainable building design. Announced at the BREEAM Summit and Awards 2022, among the...

 Read Full Article