Workplace

Workplace

VTS Office Demand Index hits post-pandemic high of 79 — tech +109%, finance +54%, legal +41% YoY

The VTS Office Demand Index (VODI) reached a post-pandemic record of 79 at end of Q1 2026 — +18% quarter-over-quarter and +13% year-over-year. Technology firm demand rose 109% YoY; finance gained 54% QoQ, legal 41% QoQ. The growth comes even as office-using employment fell 0.5% YoY (-183,000 jobs). VTS attributes the divergence to slower hiring giving employers more leverage to...

Workplace

Stress is now a legal risk for FM — HSE's Working Minds + Mental Health UK frame the brief

Mental Health UK's Burnout Report finds 91% of UK workers report high or extreme stress, with one in five having taken time off in the past year. HSE estimates 964,000 UK workers suffered work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25 — 22.1 million lost working days. The University of Birmingham was found in breach of the Management of Health & Safety at Work R...

Workplace

AI Won't Disrupt Office Markets as Badly as the Pandemic Did

Newmark's analysis suggests that even under severe downside scenarios, AI-driven office dislocation will be less severe than what occurred during the pandemic. The finding offers some reassurance for facility managers planning long-term space strategies.

Workplace

Iran conflict threatens corporate return-to-office momentum

Rising fuel costs driven by the Gulf conflict are adding pressure on employees' commuting budgets, potentially undermining employer mandates to return to the office. Workplace consultants warn that forcing in-office attendance during an energy crisis could backfire.

Workplace

Technology as the answer to FM's deepening skills shortage

MRI Software's James Massey argues that smart building platforms can bridge the FM skills gap by automating routine tasks, enabling less experienced staff to manage complex portfolios, and creating data-driven career pathways.