January 5, 2026
Facilities management is shifting from a reactive approach to a more proactive one. New workplace expectations, fueled by the prevalence of hybrid work, a growing focus on employee wellbeing, and the adoption of modern technologies, are driving the change.
In 2025, 44% of organisations required employees to spend three to five days in the physical workplace each week. Employees prefer the flexibility of working from anywhere, but employers are increasingly encouraging in-office presence.
The reason? Better engagement and collaboration.
Case in point: workplace engagement among on-site employees increased two percentage points between 2024 and 2025.
But the conventional mindset, where facilities management (FM) was responsible for fixing things when they broke, no longer works. Today’s physical workplaces must feel intentional, supportive, and worth the commute.
An integrated approach that balances people, physical environments, and technology is non-negotiable for delivering the experience.
This requires FM to move from background maintenance into a strategic role that directly impacts productivity, culture, and organisational performance.
As a hiring leader, you need to build an FM team that’s future-ready. Here’s what your new talent will need to do.
Putting People at the Centre of Workplace Design and Operations
Facilities management teams are no longer just responsible for keeping office buildings operational and safe.
Instead, they’re in charge of how employees feel, interact, and perform within the physical workplace. Employee experience and satisfaction have become core performance metrics for FM teams.
That makes it crucial for people in FM leadership roles to understand the correlation between workplace environment, engagement, and retention.
Impersonal or poorly designed spaces can take a toll on employee motivation and productivity. Thoughtfully designed environments, on the other hand, foster a sense of belonging and trust.
Build Inclusive Spaces and Prioritise Wellbeing
Simple changes, such as ergonomic furniture, access to natural light, and flexible spaces for collaboration can be great starting points.
Use inclusive design principles to address the needs of people with different abilities, working styles, and backgrounds.
For instance, adjustable lighting, noise-cancelling elements, and muted colour palettes reduce sensory overload, making workplaces suitable for neurodivergent employees.
It’s critical considering that over 18% of Australian workers report they are or might be neurodivergent.
Yet, 91% of Australians believe organisations should do more to support neurodivergent employees, so there’s clearly some room for improvement.
Similarly, FM teams must design accessible spaces that support people with disabilities. Key considerations include:
- Wide doorways and corridors to accommodate wheelchairs
- Digital signage with audio-visual cues for wayfinding
- Ramps and elevators for step-free access
- Accessible parking spaces and restrooms
- Height-adjustable desks and workstations
Besides accessibility and flexibility, people-centric design also ensures psychological wellbeing. Open-plan offices, for instance, support collaboration while reducing anxiety and cognitive load. Likewise, low-stimulation quiet rooms offer a safe space to employees for breaks.
Put together, these measures turn the office into a destination employees look forward to, not an obligation.
Treating Place as a Performance Enabler, Not Just a Physical Asset
Offices that restricted employees to closed cubicles are a thing of the past. Modern workplaces are increasingly seen as spaces that enhance collaboration and productivity. They’re designed to support different working styles and preferences.
FM teams must incorporate a mix of different settings, such as:
- Collaborative spaces for team-based tasks
- Quiet zones for focused tasks
- Informal areas for casual interactions
- Tech-enabled meeting rooms to support hybrid work
- Meditation/gaming zones for stress relief
Employees decide when and where they work, boosting engagement and productivity.
The future of facilities management also places growing emphasis on sustainable workplaces. It’s crucial considering that one in three Australian workers is willing to accept lower pay to work for an organisation that values sustainability.
From energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly materials to modular furniture and multi-purpose spaces, FM leaders must take adequate measures to reduce the environmental impact of the offices.
The idea is to create future-proof environments that minimise costly refurbishments and support long-term operational efficiency.
To deliver value, the FM professionals you hire must look at offices as more than just fixed physical assets. They need a deep understanding of how work environments shape employee behaviour and company culture.
Ultimately, they must be able to align property decisions with business and workforce goals.
Using Technology as the Backbone of the 2026 Facility
Technology is central to how modern offices are planned, designed, and operated. From reducing downtime and operational costs to optimising resource allocation, integrating tech innovations into the physical workplace can have multiple benefits.
Here are some initiatives your FM team could take:
IoT in Buildings
Smart buildings use IoT sensors on ceilings and walls to capture occupancy data. It offers insights into how employees use different parts of the building, helping identify underutilised spaces. Facility managers can repurpose these areas for new functions.
These sensors are also connected to HVAC and lighting systems. That way, temperature and lighting adjust according to the exact number of people in a space. It enhances employee performance while minimising operating costs.
Similarly, AI-powered predictive maintenance systems minimise unplanned downtime, extend asset life, and lower costs.
Automation and Analytics
With automation, FM teams can streamline routine tasks like inspections, scheduled cleaning, and desk booking. That gives them more time to focus on higher-value, strategic initiatives.
Workplace analytics also play a critical role in improving space utilisation in hybrid workplaces. Data on occupancy patterns, desk usage, and meeting room demand helps organisations right-size their real estate portfolios and configure spaces more effectively.
Technology is equally crucial to sustainability and ESG goals. Energy monitoring systems, smart controls, and performance dashboards help reduce emissions, manage resources responsibly, and improve indoor environmental quality.
This requires you to build an FM team that doesn’t just know how to use technology well for operations, but also understands how it can transform the workspace meaningfully.
You need FM professionals who can interpret data, collaborate with IT and HR, and translate digital insights into actionable workplace outcomes.
The Evolving FM Skillset and Leadership Profile
With facilities management becoming a direct contributor to workplace performance, the capabilities required of FM teams are evolving. Technical expertise and operational efficiency remain crucial, but they’re no longer sufficient on their own.
FM professionals are now expected to bring strategic thinking to the table. They must have a clear understanding of how workplace decisions shape productivity, engagement, and long-term business outcomes.
Strategic collaboration is a core requirement too, with leaders working closely alongside HR, IT, and the C-suite to align workplace strategy with organisational culture.
Whether it’s supporting hybrid work, improving employee wellbeing, or lowering environmental impact, effective facilities management sits at the intersection of people, place, and technology.
Don’t Miss Out on Top Facilities Management Talent
To meet changing employee necessities and build a modern office, it’s essential to bring on FM talent that ticks all the right boxes. Identifying FM professionals who can combine commercial awareness, data literacy, and people-centred thinking requires deep market knowledge.
That’s where we come in.
If you need help with facilities management recruitment in Australia, a trusted partner like TalentWeb brings the strategic leverage needed to secure top-tier talent.
We walk you through every step of the hiring process, from attraction to retention, helping you build a future-ready FM team. Our talent base and dedicated FM recruiters mean your property will be in safe hands.
Get in touch with our specialist FM recruitment team to find out how we can help.
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