A growing awareness of the health benefits of introducing plants at work is supporting widespread uptake in British organisations, according to the 13th PHS Quarterly Facilities Management Survey, published in October. Click on the link below to see the report from the survey.
While the majority of companies use plants to make their premises look better (and more affluent) the Survey, in which 200 UK facilities management professionals were interviewed in July and August this year, showed that nearly a quarter of interviewed FMs knew that plants could also help improve staff health and wellbeing - alleviating some of the headachy, lethargic symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome, for example.
A ‘top tips’ section at the back of PHS’s survey report explained that staff working amongst plants tend to be better motivated, more productive and take fewer days off sick than those in offices without plants*. This is because plants are natural ‘air cleaners’, who’s leaves, stems and roots actively remove airborne impurities emanating from photocopiers, computer screens and air conditioning units. They also remove carbon dioxide from the air, which makes us feel drowsy and lacking in concentration, and replace it with oxygen. Overall, plants have a positive psychological effect on us, too, making us feel happier and calmer.
PHS’s report stressed that just a few plants positioned here and there would give staff ample opportunity to enjoy the effects of these natural clean air machines.
Other key findings of PHS’ survey were as follows:
· The British love plants at work. Every company interviewed had plants of some sort inside or outside their buildings.
· Greenery accounts for 3.5% of the facilities budget, but less than 49% of FMs got involved in decision-making, preferring to leave the choice of plants to others including architects during the planning process.
· Employee opinion counts. 13% of FMs said their plants were installed following pressure from staff.
· Only half the companies interviewed employ a specialist company to supply and maintain their plants. Of those that do, 41% use the same supplier for their interior and exterior planting, believing that there are benefits in doing so.
· When choosing plant suppliers, reputation and horticultural expertise influence private sector buyers, while public sector buyers are more interested in price.
· One in 10 FMs also use their plant contractor for Christmas trees and decor, with most popular reasons including relieving staff of the time and trouble and to get more professional looking displays.
Peter Cohen, chief executive of the PHS Group plc, comments, "The PHS Quarterly FM Survey was launched for the benefit of our customers, to reveal interesting and relevant facts for Facilities Managers about their industry and about the practices and opinions of their peers. We hope the results of this survey will both inform and support the business community in reviewing and improving plants provision in the workplace."
PHS Survey | 
