Features

2012 Workplace Trends Report: Integration, flexibility and
wellness are the top drivers of employee engagement
GAITHERSBURG, Md.—Sodexo, a quality of daily life solutions provider to more than 1,800 corporate clients in the United States, released its 2012 Workplace Trends Report in January, offering a unique perspective on the workplace that combines insight from clients, academia, principal research, and leading facilities management and human resource trade organizations. 

Real estate investment concentrated in 30 cities
Half of all global real estate investment resides in 30 cities, according to a report by Jones Lang LaSalle.A quarter of the total investment is in five top-tier cities: London, Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong, and Paris. This is set to change by the turn of the decade, however, when newer destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Moscow, and Sao Paulo will become serious contenders for real estate dollars.

USGBC identifies Top 10 States for LEED Green Buildings
Washington, DC—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its 2011 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census information. The District of Columbia leads the nation, with more than 31 square feet of LEED-certified space per person in 2011, with Colorado being the leading state, with 2.74 square feet per person in 2011.

More young workers enter Facility Management Profession
as average annual compensation nears US$100,000
HOUSTON—The facility management professional of 2012, on average, is college educated, manages more than 1 million square feet of space and multiple employees, has experienced a growth in job responsibilities over the past two years, and is enjoying a base salary increase of 8 percent from 2007 levels, according to the results of an International Facility Management Association (IFMA) salary and demographics survey.

Workplace usage will increase in the near future
The future workplace will be quite different than where we currently spend our weekdays, according to Teknion Corporation’s recent study. “The workplace of today—and the future—is changing dramatically, driven by advances in technology, a shift in work patterns and a greater desire for work-life balance and living sustainably,” said Kay Sargent, Teknion Vice President of Architecture, Design and Workplace Strategies.

BOMA names most expensive Real Estate markets
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has identified the most expensive commercial real estate markets in the United States. The data is drawn from the 2011 Experience Exchange Report® (EER), which provides an annual analysis of the office building operating income and expense data compiled across approximately 940 million sq.ft. of commercial office space in more than 6,500 buildings in 278 different markets. The 2011 report is based on operating income and expenses from 2010.

U.S. school facilities deteriorating
An estimated 14 million American children attend deteriorating public schools, notes the National Education Association (NEA). Falling ceiling tiles, leaking roofs, and moldy walls are just a few of health and safety issues in thousands of our nation’s public schools and community colleges. At least a third of America’s 80,000 public schools are in need of extensive repair and at least two-thirds have unhealthy environmental conditions.

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