DR. ABHIJIT SARKAR THE PATHFINDERS

Country Head-Corporate Real Estate, Administration, Infrastructure & Sourcing, Sharekhan Ltd.

This pandemic has put the spotlight on the facility management services with a focus on cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitization. It has called for a renewed view for hygiene and overall facility management is set to adapt to the new set of challenges through differentiated services. During the pandemic, the FM professionals have played very essential role & demonstrated collective effort across the industry, in stepping up to the challenge as crisis managers, whereby providing mission-critical support to the organizations’ decision of relocating the workforce and further monitoring and restricting the use of premises. Some essential workers have never left and stayed back on the premises wherein they have helped to efficiently manage the BAU.

The facility management team has played a critical role in ensuring all safety and hygiene precautions, taking charge of the security response plan and acting as the designated source for information on workplace safety; while simultaneously setting up a response plan to communicate protocols to the employees and keep them updated about any changes that arise. In addition to ensuring a safe work environment and extending all support to those who are identified to work from home, the FM team also supports those who can’t function remotely by facilitating a safe and secured mode of transport for their commute to workplace and by creating a safe workplace, which limits the spread of infectious disease and protects both staff and any visitors.