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Designers addressing workplace challenges on two fronts

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

As businesses gradually reopen, some workers are reluctant to return to the office, and for those who do, workspaces have to be modified to encourage social distancing and ensure the physical environment is as sanitary as possible. Designers are being called on to adapt the work environment to the new normal on two fronts, in commercial spaces and at home.

London City Airport reevaluates its future

Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

London City Airport, in the heart of the U.K. capital, has put its part-completed development plans on hold until "demand returns" following a difficult time for the aviation industry and airports. In its City Airport Development Plan (CADP) update, issued on Aug. 13, it was announced that a decision has been made to temporarily pause the long-term project at the end of this year once current works have been completed.

Homeowners doing more improvements with less

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Home renovation and improvement activity has surged in recent months as owners confined to home have responded to the urge to undertake needed repairs or make their living environment more pleasant. Due to concerns about health, finances or the unavailability of renovation specialists, many of these homeowners have chosen to do the work themselves. In some sectors, though, remodelers also are experiencing increased demand.

Tips for safer property management during COVID-19

Sam Radbil Facilities & Grounds

Many people are leery of changes, moves or disruptions to their routines during COVID-19 and with good reason. Information may be difficult to distill from regular news sources, so here are seven tips to help you manage a property during this crisis.

US payrolls add 1.8 million jobs; jobless rate drops to 10.2%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Employers added 1.8 million nonfarm new hires in July, down from 4.8 million jobs created in June, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. July’s rate of unemployment dropped to 10.2% from June’s 11.1%. July’s numbers indicate the reopening of commerce closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Most major worker groups saw their unemployment rates fall.

Practical ways to reduce gender inequality in the workplace

D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Studies still show that working women are paid about 80 cents for every dollar men are paid. These studies suggest that women are at a disadvantage when it comes to holding higher-paying jobs and that men are generally on more accelerated career paths. This article offers some practical suggestions for actions that human resources professionals can take in their companies to address and hopefully improve this gender inequality.

Shifting conditions present challenges for designers

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

At the beginning of the third quarter, as many states began to relax restrictions, business appeared to be picking up for interior designers in some sectors and regions of the country. With the recent resurgence in outbreaks of the coronavirus nationwide, however, activity has pulled back somewhat in recent weeks. In addition, delays in manufacturing and purchasing, along with a shortage of skilled tradespeople, have added to designers' challenges.

LaGuardia shakes its reputation with new development

Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

LaGuardia Airport has continued work on its large-scale redevelopment despite the ongoing disruption to travel, with a summer of works culminating in the opening of Terminal B's new concourse. It follows the opening of this terminal's redeveloped Arrivals and Departures hall at the terminal in June. The major redevelopment of the airport started in 2016 with plans to replace the cramped terminals and low ceilings.

Getting grounded: Implications for business

Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

We may all be ready to be done with the coronavirus, but the virus isn’t ready to be done with us. As a result, some of the short-term changes to how and where we work may turn out to be more longer-term than we ever expected. Not only do we need to maintain social distance and wear masks when out and about near others, but we also have to face the fact that for the most part, we’ve all been grounded. What do you need to do to be as effective as possible given these constraints?

Delayed buying season pushes home sales to record levels

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

Pent-up demand from months of home confinement combined with record-low mortgage interest rates created a surge in home buying in June. Sales of new and existing homes reached some of their highest levels ever and were up in every region of the country. Industry experts differ, though, on whether this is a sign of the market’s recovery or just a temporary boost before activity tapers off again.

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