Features November 2007

Why bother with office planting? by Colleen Smith, Plants for People
When it comes to business belt-tightening, plants are usually the first to go – or not arrive! But there is much evidence to suggest that if you want a healthy, motivated and creative workforce, this is the last thing that should happen.
Just to put plants and our relationship to them, into perspective, we have developed side by side with plants. More than that we lived in perfect symbiosis, with plants emitting oxygen for us to breathe – plants are sometimes described as the lungs of the earth!
And there’s more: in the last 10,000 years since we lived and worked in the great outdoors, our genes have barely changed but our living and working environments have to an unbelievable degree. If we had told the working man of 10,000 years ago that he wouldn’t need to hunt for his supper, that his job and much of his leisure time would be spent indoors – some winter days at work, he might barely see daylight - I suspect he would have laughed hysterically at the joke. But nowadays we spend less than 30 minutes per day outdoors and in offices, workers are likely to spend 70%+ of their time in front of a computer screen.
If you consider the changes we have asked our bodies to accept, it would not be inconsiderate to ask for a little time for them to catch up!
And even in the last twenty years or so our offices have transformed the way we work. Again we work differently but most offices environments haven’t changed significantly to accommodate the changes for our best interests.
And if this all sounds like mumbo jumbo, then think again. Research has shown that we reap the benefits when we live and work amongst plants!
Not only do they clean the air and help to reduced minor ailments with a knock-on effect of reducing absenteeism, but they also humidify our workspaces making them feel more comfortable.

Corporate Gyms, An Effective Money saving Tool, or an Expensive Staff Perk…? by Jim Lawrence, Corporate Wellbeing Ltd
Corporate gyms are now fairly common in large companies. Initially corporate gyms were designed to provide staff with a nice perk and to improve work life. Sometimes a gym was installed purely because the company MD was a fitness enthusiast and he thought it was a good idea.
There wasn’t really any thinking into how a corporate gym could potentially save money each year by reducing absenteeism or improving the staff attrition rate.
Read on and find out if an on-site corporate gym could save your company money………
There are initial costs when setting up a corporate gym. Expect to spend between £20,000 - £80,000 on exercise equipment (depending on gym size and which brand of equipment you buy). You will have potential refurbishment costs like installing shower and changing areas. Ok, once you have invested money in the gym project is it going to work, and save your company money in the long term?
Before we continue;
There has been a 122% increase in illnesses in the workplace and 1.3 million people each year suffer work related ill health in the UK
Approximately 4.2 million working days are lost each year due to musculo skeletal disorders in the UK
It is indicated that at least 283,000 people in England and Wales alone believe they are suffering from stress or depression that has been caused or made worse by their work over the previous 12 months. 57% of them said their stress or depression had been caused by their employment
Some companies have had huge success with their company on-site gym.
Johnson & Johnson found 63% of staff members that enrolled at their on-site gym cited improved productivity and 75% said it boosted morale
General Electric found that employees who exercised were absent from work 45% fewer days than employees who didn’t exercise
The Coors brewing company found that in it returned £6.15 for every £1 invested in its corporate fitness programme.
Equitable Life Assurance realised a return of investment £5.52 for each £1 invested in its corporate fitness programme over a six year period.
Motorola returned £3.15 per £1 invested over a seven year period
As we can see from the statistics a corporate gym can be an invaluable tool for improving staff absenteeism, improving staff productivity, and saving your company money. However the above examples are of companies that have used the services of professional corporate fitness providers to design and operate the gym for them. These are factors that will need to be considered as when a corporate gym is not operated professionally it will not produce the kind of results shown in the examples above.
So in theory if a corporate gym is designed and operated professionally the likelihood is it will make substantial financial savings in the long term plus improving a lot of employee’s lives. On the other hand it if the gym is not operated professionally and is allowed to languish then it could be just an expensive staff perk…………
This article has been written by Jim Lawrence, Operations Director of Corporate Wellbeing Ltd. Corporate Wellbeing specialises in designing and operating corporate fitness centres.You can contact Jim at 0141 644 8302 or email jim.lawrence@corporatewellbeing.co.uk

All change at Jonathans Hotel & Restaurant
Jonathans Hotel and Restaurant in the midlands has enjoyed more than 30 years of successful business and has become well known for its quirky, Victorian décor. However, recently taken under new management, Jonathan’s has been given a major transformation thanks to the Floors-2-Go’s Contract Division and designer Toni Jay.
Toni comments: “Jonathans is a very well known establishment in the area and has been popular for many years. However, the décor was in desperate need of updating, and, we decided that the time had come to give the entire hotel a bit of a face lift. One of our main concerns was ensuring that the history and character of Jonathans was kept, whilst at the same time creating that ‘wow’ factor that would impress new and old clients alike. To achieve this, we produced carefully considered interior design schemes and it was really important that the all the products used not only complemented each other, but also helped to create a new personality for both the hotel and restaurant alike.
We chose the Floors-2-Go Contract Division as they were able to source a fantastic selection of products, which really worked well with our design concepts.”
The hotel’s design team, with the expert advice of the Floors-2-Go Contract Division, chose Stonehouse Technoclass marble tiles for the main restaurant and street bar, whilst the main reception was fitted with Stonehouse Thassos marble and granite tiles. In the main lounge area, where the design team wanted to create an atmosphere of opulence and exclusivity, Magnum Panga Panga wood, sourced exclusively from overseas, proved to be the ideal flooring to complement the lavish furnishings.
Andy Acton, director of the Floors-2-Go Contracts Division, comments: “This was a fantastic project to be involved in. We had a very tight timescale for the project and in order for it to run smoothly we needed the flooring to be specified, sourced and fitted within three weeks, ready for Jonathans grand re-opening. We managed to source and fit a great range of exclusive products, some of which had to be sourced from overseas, within the deadline and worked closely with the design team throughout the project to ensure that everything met their design criteria.”
Toni continues: “The re-opening was a huge success and the ‘new’ Jonathans looks great. We were very impressed with the service and product offering Floors-2-Go provided, and felt that they really understood what we were trying to achieve. We look forward to working with the company again on future of projects.”

Training by Jane Wiggins, BPP Professional Education
Training is one way of improving the performance of staff and the organisation. However poorly planned and executed training will be a waste of resources, de-motivating for the individuals, fail to equip staff with the right skills and lack management support. In today’s competitive market, organisations are looking to learning and development as a way to ensuring that staff deliver their best performance. The facilities management sector has historically been reluctant and slow to invest in training and development. The skills and labour shortages however are putting pressure on organisations to up-skill and develop their existing staff. In addition, individuals with career aspirations are prepared to invest in themselves to gain additional qualifications and skills as a passport to job security and their future employability.
A thorough evaluation is needed to ensure that training and development schemes and plans are effective. The first step is to conduct a training needs analysis (TNA). Ideally the TNA will reveal the nature of the requirement; the knowledge, skills and attitudes; the gap between current and desired behaviours and attributes; and the needs of individuals. There are many tools available to gather this information. These include interviews, observation, consultants, job analysis, review of job descriptions, reviews of absence / accident data and outcomes of appraisals.
Typical training needs for individuals may include conflict management, problem solving and negotiation skills. Some individuals will also require specific job related training such as Authorising Engineers, Corgi accreditation, IEEE qualifications, SIA licensing, or food safety qualifications. Teams may require training in areas such as customer services, health and safety, IT systems (helpdesk, CMMS, CAFM, BMS etc ) and general business awareness.
Another approach is to use a competency framework for the facilities management function. The BIFM have a competency framework of twenty areas or topics. Staff working in a FM department can work towards their BIFM Qualification via direct examinations. There are two levels, Part I and Part II. Certificates are awarded at each level. It takes about two to three years to study and sit the seven BIFM national examinations. The topics include
Organisational structure and behaviour, business strategy and the FM function
> Managing people, suppliers and specialists and communication
> Estates management, building design and fabric maintenance
> Procurement, information, quality, risk and financial management
> Support and building Services, project management and customer service.
> Environmental issues and space management
A portfolio of practical evidence is then required for submission to the BIFM for the final assessment and award of the BIFM Qualification. The benefits of following a recognised course of education are numerous. The individual gains confidence, satisfaction and recognition of their achievements. The organisation knows that their staff are competent in their profession and are better placed to make informed decisions.
Training should be a planned process. Well managed and delivered, it will develop the abilities of an individual and satisfy the current and future needs of the organisation.
For more information about the BIFM examination programme of study offered by BPP Professional Education, visit www.hr.bpp.com/bifm/ or call 0208 253 6146.

The importance of first aid provision in the workplace by The British Red Cross
Despite increased awareness, training and diligence by employers, around six million working days are lost each year through work-related, reportable injuries with the average number of working days lost per injury increasing by 3% since 1997/8 to 14.5 days. These cost UK organisations a massive £5 - £8 billion a year in lost work time. Yet these figures are considerably understated, as they do not include the hundreds of thousands of people who are taken seriously ill at work each year through cardiac arrests, epileptic fits, asthma attacks, blackouts and other non-work related illnesses.
According to the British Red Cross, many UK employers could be reducing these reportable injuries and lost time at work by increasing first aid training and ‘knowledge refreshment’ amongst their staff. They are also likely to find that first aid training helps to improve the overall performance of staff who attend such courses.
Trained first aiders can play a vital role in preventing an injury or illness from becoming fatal in and out of the workplace. However, for first aiders to be capable of responding effectively, they must maintain and refresh their knowledge and skills on a regular basis. The flexibility to do this has been more readily available since 2005 when British Red Cross introduced Safehands, their unique free programme for first aiders providing support and ongoing learning opportunities between first aid courses.
From large multi-national corporations to small local retailers, all employers have to meet the legal requirements set out in the 1981 Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations. In short, this means there must be appropriate equipment and appointed first aid staff on hand to deal with any injury or illness that befalls someone on the premises.
Even if there are less than five employees, a company must nominate someone to take charge of the first aid arrangements (who, as a bare minimum, will be responsible for the first aid kit and sending for an ambulance, should the need arise). The nature of the business and size of the organisation will determine exactly how many trained first aiders there should be. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has put together some guidelines, shown in the table below:
An appointed person does not, by law, have to attend a first aid course but more and more employers are finding it prudent to ensure they do. First aiders, on the other hand, are only recognised as such if they have attended a four-day HSE approved first aid in the workplace course and subsequent refresher training.
To assess how many first aiders are required and ensure effective first aid cover, an assessment of first aid needs must be carried out. This should cover any hazardous areas in the workplace, the number of employees in the organisation, where those employees are located and past accident rates.
In accordance with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements, there are two main types of first aid course available: the basic one-day course for the ‘Appointed person’ and the four-day first aid at work course (for people who want to be recognised as a qualified first aider in the workplace). In both cases certificates are awarded which are valid for three years, after which employees are required to attend further training to refresh their skills and renew their certification. The Safehands programme, through monthly newsletters and a website, provide valuable updates on knowledge during the three year interval and support.
Amanda Jenkins of the British Red Cross, which trains more than120,000 people per year on its courses, has observed an increasingly positive attitude to first aid training among employees.
“Over 15,000 people voluntarily joined Safehands in its first year after attending one of our courses. They seem to value the skills they have acquired and want to continue to maintain them.”
Research has also revealed that those who receive first aid training reap additional rewards, over and above the ability to save lives. A survey found that 95 per cent of the first aiders questioned felt more confident as a result of the training they had received, both personally and professionally. 89 per cent also felt that attending a first aid course was important to their personal development. In addition, the vast majority claimed to feel more valuable to their employer.

Amanda Jenkins of the British Red Cross says: “ First aid training and updates can provide employers and employee with valuable benefits - far more than the reassurance that official obligations have been met.”
For further details on the first aid training courses provided by The British Red Cross please log onto www.redcross.org.uk/faw
Lifting and handling injuries at work - a recurring problem?
by The British Red Cross
The main theme for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, 22-26 October, was ‘Lighten the Load’. The British Red Cross, the UK’s largest provider of first aid training in the work place, is campaigning to reduce injuries caused by improper moving and handling practices at work.
Despite industrial work environments declining and office based work increasing, the number of Britons suffering injuries through work related moving and handling practices has continued to increase virtually every year since 1999 according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures.
The HSE estimates show that moving and handling related injuries are the most common form of injury and account for some 41 per cent of long term injuries. Such injuries are seen as a big burden on companies in terms of compensation, sick pay and lost man-hours.
Amanda Jenkins of The British Red Cross comments: “The British Red Cross are addressing the problem of moving and handling injuries by encouraging managers, especially of offices, warehouses, hospitals, nursing homes and retail outlets to be more aware of the importance of training their staff. During European Week for Safety and Health at Work, which was held 22 –26 October, which concentrated on the theme of ‘lighten the load’, the British Red Cross put on extra courses on moving and handling, to teach employees the correct procedures for lifting and handling.”
“Research suggests that too many office, care home or shop-based staff are injuring themselves, particularly their backs. The TUC estimates that 4.9 million working days are lost a year from work-related back pain which is as a result costing the country a fortune.”
Despite this a lot of work related back pain is avoidable. Training in correct moving and handling skills can really help to reduce back injuries. Unfortunately too many staff who try to move office equipment, boxes, furniture and similar items have not been taught the correct techniques.
As Amanda Jenkins comments: “Most back injuries at work are preventable – just not enough is being done to prevent them “
A moving and handling course can help avoid unnecessary pain, injury and money. The British Red Cross itself offers a 4 hour course which gives an introduction to moving and handling techniques. The 4 hour moving and handling course is available at selected venues throughout the UK and as an in-company option, if required, for a group of six or more staff. To help with larger groups or organisations operating on several sites, the British Red Cross also offers a special key account service to make administration easier.
Who should be trained?
Anyone who is involved in the moving or handling of objects. This course is particularly important for people who need to handle objects or lift people as part of their job including those who work in the following areas: warehouses, post offices, retail, logistics, libraries, IT, childcare, hotels & leisure, gardening, care homes, packaging, agriculture, construction, refuse and undertaking.
A good course should include elements such as understanding your back, anatomy and physiology, an introduction to ergonomics and biomechanics of movement to moving, handling and the law and your duty of care and risk assessment. Courses should also cover how to help move people, wheelchair handling and the manager’s role in risk assessments for handling.
“Teaching people how to move equipment correctly can reduce the incidence of back and other related injuries dramatically. Not only is this a businesses responsibility as a caring employer, but it can also save far more than the cost of training”, Amanda concluded.
Full details of Moving and Handling courses and the Key Account Service are available from www.redcross.org.uk/faw or by calling our national customer service centre on 08970 170 9110

Facilities Management, Property and Estate Management, Health & Safety, Security, Access Control