One of the historic London Livery Companies, with a strong connection to the facilities management world, is inviting nominations for an award for a young manager in FM. The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is offering a very special award to a young person who shows potential as a future star in FM.  As Managing Director of International Workplace, I’m delighted to be on the judging panel, along with Chair of the the RICS FM Board, Kath Fontana, BIFM Lifetime Achievement Award winner Martin Pickard, and experienced FM, Richard Muir. ... Continue reading

UK employment statistics are showing a mixed picture.  The UK labour market is going from strength to strength, with the proportion of people in work now at a record high of 73.6%, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. However, the picture is less rosy in Scotland. Statistics show that the employment in Scotland decreased by 6,000 over the three months June to August. This means that the number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,610,000. The Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell sai... Continue reading

The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) agreed on 23 January 2014 to a consensual audit of their processing of personal data by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) Good Practice Department. The ICO is responsible for enforcing and promoting compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (the DPA).  Following pre-audit discussions with CEC, it was agreed that the audit would focus on the following areas: Records management (manual and electronic) Subject access requests Data sharing This audit found areas of good practice however als... Continue reading

Recruitment firms that recruit solely from overseas without advertising in Great Britain and in English will be prevented from doing so, under plans announced by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The proposals are put forward in two consultations published today on reforming recruitment sector legislation and tackling exploitation in the labour market. Regulation 27A of the Conduct Regulations, which came into force in January this year, already requires employment agencies and employment businesses in Britain, if t... Continue reading

The first compliance date for ESOS is approaching fast. If you qualify for the scheme has your organisation put in place a programme to meet the deadline? International Workplace are experts in ESOS and offer a full range of environmental and sustainability training and consultancy services to ensure that your company is compliant. Penalties will be issued for non-compliance and your company could receive a fine of up to £50,000, to help you understand ESOS and to avoid any fines we have produced a factsheet containing an overview of all... Continue reading