Claims that artificial intelligence is already driving large-scale job losses appear to be overstated, according to a new global research briefing from Oxford Economics [registration], which suggests that the impact of AI on labour markets so far has been uneven and modest. The report argues that while there is anecdotal evidence of job losses in sectors most exposed to automation, firms are not yet replacing workers with AI at a scale that would materially raise unemployment rates. Oxford Economics concludes that near-term fears of widespread AI-driven unemployment are not supported by current data. More →

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is accepting nominations for its Young Professional Industry Experience. The programme provides aspiring young people working in the industry a unique opportunity to visit sector leading companies and understand all areas of the wider trade, including materials, designing, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, sales and customer service. More →

Hobbies could do more than improve your personal life, they could make you more creative and better at work, according to new research published today.  The study by researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Erasmus University Rotterdam explored how ‘leisure crafting’ – intentionally shaping your free time through goal setting, learning and connection – does not just boost well-being outside the office but can spill over into creativity, engagement, and meaning at work, especially for older employees. Published in the journal Human Relations, the findings show that giving people simple, doable advice about how to grow through their hobbies can make a real difference in their daily lives. More →

Workers are placing greater emphasis on job security, fair pay and employer support for flexibility, according to new global research from the Adecco Group, which suggests the so called Great Resignation has given way to a more cautious approach to how ambitious people would like to seem. The Workforce Trends 2025 report [registration] is based on responses from 37,500 workers and 2,000 senior executives across 31 countries. It finds that while employees continue to value growth, flexibility and meaningful work, these priorities are increasingly secondary to stable income and employment certainty as economic and social uncertainty persists. More →

The Surface Design Awards have announced the shortlist for the 2026 edition. The winners will be announced during the Surface Design Show in early February. The awards are intended to champion material excellence and design innovation from the UK and around the globe. The announcement follows a judging day with some of the design industry’s most respected experts deliberating and debating the entries. The organisers of the Surface Design Awards 2026 promise to “uncover and celebrate the very best in design excellence, offering a global platform for ground-breaking projects and product design”. More →