Overtime rule comment period opens; employers can weigh in through Nov. 7

The Labor Department proposed a salary threshold of about $55,000 per year but suggested in a footnote that the final level could be more than $60,000.

By Kate Tornone • Sept. 11, 2023

SPX Flow’s beehives and compost programs highlight sustainability benefits

The firm’s facility manager says tenant engagement has led to numerous sustainable initiatives and processes, which benefit employees and attract new organizations to the site.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 1, 2023

FM:Systems’ acquisition by Johnson Controls marries occupancy data with controls, former CEO says

Kurt von Koch, who is now an executive at Johnson Controls, discusses the software’s office insights, the acquisition and the future of building management controls.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 31, 2023

DOL proposes $55K overtime rule threshold, automatic 3-year updates

An estimated 3.6 million U.S. workers would become eligible for overtime pay under the proposed rule, the agency said Wednesday.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 31, 2023

Technology, sustainability and benchmarking are key to optimizing healthcare facility performance

Focusing on efforts in those three areas can help managers meet demands for greater operational and cost efficiencies, healthcare facilities experts say. 

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 28, 2023

Soft skills key to the evolving workplace, survey finds

Amid tech advances, human skills like communication, problem solving and time management remain valuable, according to various reports.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 28, 2023

NEST, skilled trades industry leaders launch council to address labor shortage

The Skilled Trades Advisory Council is intended to drive awareness and promotion of the trades and help the facilities management industry meet workforce needs.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 24, 2023

US workers voice pessimism about AI and employment

Findings of an American Staffing Association survey indicate that employees are worried about potential job replacement.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 24, 2023

North American workers go into the office less often than others worldwide

Even in companies with hybrid working policies, employers are seeing fewer employees in the office weekly.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 22, 2023

Wint clinches $35M to meet water tracking, leak detection demand

Climate change and damage costs have led to a strong demand for water management solutions across the real estate, construction and insurance industries. 

By Joe Burns • Aug. 11, 2023

Insufficient data impacts return-to-office strategies, Envoy finds

Eighty percent of business leaders and building managers surveyed said they would have approached their policies differently if they had better insight into office usage.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 10, 2023

The life sciences sector needs facility staff to match continued growth

Good Manufacturing Principles and specialized processes are straining employers’ abilities to fill building service roles.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 9, 2023

Marcone outfits repair technicians with AI-powered diagnostic tool

The HVAC and plumbing distributor expects the solution to reduce repair times and improve customer satisfaction.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 8, 2023

Schools forced to delay or revise facility projects amid soaring market costs

Labor shortages and supply chain woes throw a wrench in school projects as market forces balloon total project costs beyond what was initially budgeted.

By Naaz Modan • Aug. 3, 2023

Building infrastructure in Pennsylvania? You could get a piece of $400M to train workers.

A workforce development grant announced by Gov. John Shapiro aims to help commercial real estate firms and builders manage the shortage of skilled labor.

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 2, 2023

Upskilling may be the answer to hiring and engagement woes

Nearly a quarter of U.S. employers say they're facing a major skills gap in their companies, according to a Salary.com report.

By Carolyn Crist • July 31, 2023

In rebounding M&A market, HR needs a strategic approach to integrate workplace cultures

Organizational culture has become a significant consideration for employees choosing where they want to work, and M&A can disrupt that, a new McLean report advises.

By Laurel Kalser • July 28, 2023

Can AI make better hires? Maybe, experts say

AI can make HR's job easier in a myriad of ways, according to a report from The Josh Bersin Company. The utility of AI in hiring, however, remains up for debate.

By Caroline Colvin • July 26, 2023

ASHRAE calls for comments on refrigeration, control design analysis and efficient water use standard addenda

Changes include clarifications to the term “human comfort," organizational improvements and baseline requirements for efficient use of water in mechanical and process systems.

By Joe Burns • July 25, 2023

Feds award $2M to Penn College for workforce development

The college will match the investment, creating a $4 million budget for initiatives such as construction to add capacity for worker training programs.

By Megan Ruggles • July 19, 2023

Growing US office foot traffic drives surge in bookings through H1 ’23

Data from a hybrid workplace experience outpost points to a 20% jump in total desk bookings amid increased office traffic.

By Nish Amarnath • July 19, 2023

Tyson Foods unveils child care facility to boost efficiency

The company’s $5 million investment is part of a move to ease barriers to up-skilling, boost employee retention and drive more productivity.

By Ginger Christ • July 19, 2023

Department of Energy awards ASHRAE $2.85M building code training grant

The initiative is expected to save four partner states more than $18.5 million by providing officials training to boost compliance with building energy codes.

By Joe Burns • July 17, 2023

C&W Services’ Life Science SVP: Labor consistency more important than dollar increase in wages

Chisolm recently assumed a leadership role at Cushman & Wakefield Services to drive the development of the firm’s life sciences portfolio.

By Joe Burns • July 13, 2023

Despite AI optimism, workers lack relevant skills — and expect employers to help

Around two-thirds of workers surveyed by Salesforce said they expect their employer to train them on generative AI — and just as many said their employer does not do so.

By Kathryn Moody • July 13, 2023