[Photos] A look at C&W Services' newly-revamped, inclusive workspace in Singapore

A multidisciplinary creative studio, a community wall, and advanced workplace technology solutions are some of the features this new space has in place, as part of the firm's disability-inclusive practices. 

C&W Services, the facilities and engineering arm of global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield, launched its newly-transformed headquarters in Singapore last week (Wednesday, 23 March 2022).

The launch was officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin (pictured above). Located in Chai Chee, the new workplace "embodies the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) and the adoption of smart technology that promotes both sustainability and wellbeing", the firm said in a press release. 

Natalie Craig, Managing Director, C&W Services Singapore, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people approach work and increased awareness around the importance of health and wellbeing at work. The transformation of our workplace reinforces our company ethos — that people are at the core of our business, so it is critical that we enable them to perform at their best in a dynamic, safe, and healthy environment. At the same time, we know that the role of the physical workplace has changed. Hybrid work is and will remain necessary in the current climate, so time spent in the office needs to have a clear and renewed purpose.

"For C&W Services, we want our staff to spend their time in the office building or rebuilding relationships, sharing knowledge, creating ideas through collaboration as well as continuing the much-needed mentorship and training for our technical staff. We have redesigned our space to be agile and inclusive but especially to foster community and collaboration, as a driving force for success."

A multidisciplinary creative studio, community wall, and more inclusive features

In its continued commitment to inclusion at the workplace, the firm is in the process of securing the Enabling Mark, a national-level accreditation certification by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for disability-inclusive best practices. At the launch event, the firm also introduced the Singapore Chapter of its global employee resource group ‘Leading with Education and Awareness of Disabilities’ (LEAD.

Headed by Maximillian Tan, a three-time Paralympian and Human Resources Executive, LEAD’s mission is to support colleagues affected by disability through peer-to-peer conversation, community-building, opportunities encouraging networking and career growth, education, and awareness of resources. It also strives to support the recruitment of people with disabilities to bolster a more inclusive workplace benefitting from diverse life experiences.

C&W Services also has in place the following key initiatives that support its drive to inclusion:

• Murals in communal areas contributed by The Art Faculty, a social enterprise by The Autism Society of Singapore, and Mural Lingo, a multidisciplinary creative studio that creates social and environmental changes through its projects.
• The design of new staff accessories including coffee mugs and lanyards created in collaboration with SG Enable’s ‘I’m Able’ programme.
• The establishment of a C&W Services community wall which will feature creations and collaborations by staff. The first collaboration is a 6x2-metre community artwork featuring individual masks decorated by more than 600 employees, each one reflecting each staff member’s own personal experience through the pandemic.

Additionally, the new premises’ barrier-free accessibility features include ramps, automatic doors, and 60 power-assisted height-adjustable workstations. Employees have access to different settings that best fit the nature of their work, be it collaboration areas for team brainstorming sessions, quiet zones for focused work, or phone booths for private calls; as well as a nursing room, prayer room, chill room, and vending machines dispensing healthy snacks, a pantry with a table tennis table, and separate refrigerators for halal and non-halal food items.

Apart from the above, C&W Services is securing its Green Mark Platinum accreditation by the Building & Construction Authority of Singapore, and to progress this accreditation, the firm is "constantly driving the adoption of smart facilities management practices and tools that incorporate sustainability elements."

According to the press release, over 270 motion and photocell sensors detect and adjust to movement and daylight in workspaces, whilst over 70 air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation sensors control environmental airflow, temperature, and pressure for a comfortable and energy-saving climate-controlled atmosphere. There is also real-time analytics in place to facilitate efforts to ensure employee needs are met, with environmental comfort further enhanced by indoor air quality monitoring, occupancy sensors, and an energy management portal.

The firm also utilises workplace technology applications that "enable better and more efficient management of the facility":

• Seamless booking of desks and meeting rooms,
• A face recognition programme for easier access, and
• Smart toilet systems that better regulate the deployment of cleaners for a more hygienic and comfortable restroom experience.
• Pantries are also stocked with zero-waste, recyclable, and other environmentally friendly products.

ALSO READ: Dyson officially opens the doors to new HQ in Singapore

Lead image & article images / Provided by C&W Services

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!