Leverage Sensors & Data to Support Employees During RTO Mandates

The return to office (RTO) shift is well underway. Employees across many industries are returning to offices – in both full time and hybrid capacities. According to WTW, nearly two-thirds (61%) of US companies now have a formal policy requiring employees to be in the office for a minimum number of days each week. But rigid RTO policies can result in talent loss in competitive markets. This could be why more than half of these organizations have no set rules to determine days on site, meaning many employees can choose the days they work in the office.

The shift is creating a complex landscape for facility managers – balancing fluctuating occupancy rates, addressing employee hesitancy and meeting evolving workplace expectations, all while dealing with budget realities.

Modern Workspace Challenges
Gone are the days where the office is just a place to sit. Today’s employees, especially across different generations, expect more. The modern office needs to be safe, comfortable, flexible and – more importantly – worth the commute.

As workplaces continue to evolve, so do the challenges for facility managers. Cleanliness, air quality, temperature, and other comfort factors that were previously behind-the-scenes and are now front-and-center. To add to the pressure, a poorly executed strategy can drive higher turnover, reduce productivity, and leave expensive office space underutilized.

Forward-thinking companies and facility operators are turning to data and sensor technology to positively impact workplace culture.

Sensor-Based Solutions
Sensor technology is one of the more promising technologies impacting the facility management industry. This approach uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor real-time usage, environmental conditions, and resource needs. Sensor data can tell you when and where spaces need attention, help track occupancy, and ensure health protocols are followed.

This is a fundamental shift from traditional, reactive (or time-based) cleaning to a smarter, usage-based model, reducing unnecessary passes through empty spaces.

Some features of these types of solutions include:

• Real-Time Monitoring: where data creates heatmaps to illustrate usage patterns.
• Real-time Alerts: to ensure high-touch areas are sanitized properly, which is crucial in hybrid work environments.
• Predictive Analytics: leveraging historical data to predict peak times enabling proactive scheduling.
• Integration with Apps: sensors data can be linked to facility management software for automated work orders to dispatch cleaners when a bin becomes full or a room empties.
• Dashboards: that can display live metrics on screens outside rooms to build trust and transparency for employees.

When successfully implemented and operated, it not only gives companies visibility and control, but it can also provide peace of mind to employees.

Real World Implementation
An ABM client in an owner-occupied space sought a solution to bring more employees into the office. A sensor-based solution was implemented that brought visibility into the servicing of their building, providing more transparency and trust. Displays were installed outside conference rooms, desk clusters and restrooms to show the last time spaces were cleaned. Occupancy information was also used to direct day-porter activity, ensuring that spaces were serviced before becoming visibly dirty.

As a result, employees who visited the office infrequently were quick to notice the upgrades and valued the added visibility and communication. Overall, the spaces stayed cleaner, and employees felt more comfortable using restrooms and shared areas. It also helped rebuild confidence in the workplace and reinforced a sense of care and consideration from leadership.

Keys to Success
As with any technology implementation, strategy and planning are key. Some of the most important factors to address in the initial phases include:

• The use cases for how the technology and the data captured will be used. Installation and system design should be planned accordingly.
• Being intentional where loT is deployed, especially given the maintenance required.
• A plan to interpret and normalize the data output.

A strong facility management partner can assist with these planning discussions as well as operationalizing the data to drive tangible benefits.

A New Era of Efficiency
The return-to-office push doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be an opportunity to enhance facility efficiencies while boosting employee productivity and morale. With smart planning and the right tools, any organization can make this transition a positive and productive one.

Kayla Oliver is head of product, partnerships, and innovation at ABM. Prior to joining ABM, she was a financial services organization (FSO) business advisory senior consultant at EY. Oliver is a candidate for an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at The Wharton School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in molecular biology and economics from Colgate University.