About Jayne Smith

Posts by Jayne Smith:

Ultrafabrics celebrates 25th anniversary with new and improved bio-based Volar Bio collection

Ultrafabrics celebrates 25th anniversary with new and improved bio-based Volar Bio collection

Ultrafabrics proudly commemorates its 25th anniversary of excellence in the industry with the reintroduction of its Volar Bio collection which now has a 66 percent mix of recycled, rapidly renewable and bio-based content – a remarkable achievement in sustainable innovation. More →

The rise of supercommuters linked to adoption of flexible and hybrid working

The rise of supercommuters linked to adoption of flexible and hybrid working

New research from Trainline claims that the number of UK “supercommuters” using rail to travel longer distances to work has doubled since Covid. Almost half (47 percent) of current supercommuters surveyed made the lifestyle change either during or post-pandemic, and over four in five (84 percent) of these new supercommuters say hybrid working has enabled this switch in their commuting habits. More →

Majority of working parents say they would look for a new job if they were required to travel

Majority of working parents say they would look for a new job if they were required to travel

New research among working parents claims that three quarters (74 percent) would look for a new job if they were asked to travel to a central office five days a week.New research among working parents claims that three quarters (74 percent) would look for a new job if they were asked to travel to a central office five days a week. The study, undertaken by International Workplace Group among more than 1,000 parents in hybrid working roles, highlights that 83 percent said they were better parents as a result of the flexibility offered by hybrid working. 89 percent say they are closer to their children and are more present (92 percent), while 86 percent say their family’s quality of life has improved. More →

British Council for Offices Chief Executive Richard Kauntze to step down in summer 2025

British Council for Offices Chief Executive Richard Kauntze to step down in summer 2025

After soon-to-be 25 years of serving as Chief Executive for the British Council for Offices, Richard Kauntze will be stepping down in summer 2025. His successor will be appointed by the BCO Presidential Team in due course. More →

Bleep off. Workplace devices interrupt people every fifteen minutes

Bleep off. Workplace devices interrupt people every fifteen minutes

The majority of employees and managers surveyed agree that companies are not effectively addressing the issue of digital noise - the way apps and devices interrupt people constantly.A new poll from Unily, claims to highlight the negative impact digital notifications have on wellbeing and productivity. The majority of employees and managers surveyed agree that companies are not effectively addressing the issue of digital noise – the way apps and devices interrupt people constantly. According to the Digital Noise Impact Report [registration], nearly half of all employees are distracted at least once every 30 minutes, and almost a third report being distracted at least once every 15 minutes by a workplace notification. That means employees working 8-hour days could be experiencing over 160 distractions from their workplace digital tools each week. More →

Pattenmakers search for the winner of the  Future Leader FM Award 2025

Pattenmakers search for the winner of the Future Leader FM Award 2025

Livery company the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is looking for the next winner of its coveted annual FM awardLivery company the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is looking for the next winner of its coveted annual FM award. This Award recognises a future leader in FM, rewarding a talented early-career professional with a unique personal development opportunity funded by the livery. The Award is open to newcomers working in the Workplace and FM sectors, who have a maximum of 5 years’ experience. Entry is free, and all the information needed to enter is available here, including a link to the online entry form. The deadline for receipt of entries for the Pattenmakers Future Leader FM Award is: 5th August 2024. https://www.pattenmakers.co.uk/future-leader-fm-award-2025/ More →

AI could save the public sector millions of hours of time each week, claims report

AI could save the public sector millions of hours of time each week, claims report

A new report from Microsoft argues AI could save more than four hours per week on administrative tasks - per staff member across all public sectorsA new report commissioned by Microsoft claims that the scale of administration required of the UK’s public sector is drawing front line workers away from delivering frontline services, and impacting the motivation, engagement and even mental health of large proportions of the public workforce. The research, developed by Dr Chris Brauer, Director of Innovation at Goldsmiths University and Symmetry features in a new report from Microsoft, Harnessing the Power of AI for the Public Sector and argues AI could save more than four hours per week on administrative tasks per staff member across all public sectors. More →

Two in five people say they aren’t paid enough to make ends meet

Two in five people say they aren’t paid enough to make ends meet

A new report from Indeed, released two weeks ahead of the UK General Election, suggests that more than 2 in 5 (42 percent) Brits are struggling to make ends meet. According to the survey of over 2,000 British people, those in the North East of England feel most comfortable, with less than a third (32 percent) struggling, while almost half (48 percent) of those in Scotland say their pay isn’t keeping pace.  More →

People are more loyal to employers in the Asia Pacific region than Europe and the US

People are more loyal to employers in the Asia Pacific region than Europe and the US

Employees’ commitment to their employer varies greatly by region, a new global report has foundEmployees’ commitment to their employer varies greatly by region, a new global report has found. According to nudge’s annual Global Financial Wellbeing Report [registration], which surveyed 11,500+ people around the world, how valued employees feel at work varies significantly from East to West. In Europe, attitudes appear to be more cynical in relation to loyalty in the workplace. Two thirds (66 percent) of employees in the UK believe that companies view workers as ‘interchangeable’ and ‘easily replaceable’, followed closely by France (62 percent), Spain (58 percent) and Italy (54 percent). More →

Two-thirds of menopausal women say they face workplace discrimination

Two-thirds of menopausal women say they face workplace discrimination

A new survey claims that over two-thirds (69 percent) of people in the UK believe women face discrimination at work when going through menopause. According to the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, almost 8 out of 10 menopausal people are in work. Forth, which provides hormone tests for women surveyed over 2,000 people to reveal attitudes towards discrimination against women with menopause in the workplace. More →

Electric arc furnaces could turn old concrete into zero-carbon cement

Electric arc furnaces could turn old concrete into zero-carbon cement

commercial propertyConcrete and steel production are major contributors to global CO2 emissions, but a new technology from Cambridge University offers a promising solution: recycling both materials simultaneously. This innovative process involves using old concrete in steel-processing furnaces to not only purify iron but also generate “reactivated cement” as a by-product. When powered by renewable energy sources, this method has the potential to produce entirely carbon-neutral cement, according to the research published in the journal Nature.

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Seven industry associations join forces to develop  real estate carbon pricing strategy

Seven industry associations join forces to develop real estate carbon pricing strategy

Seven real estate industry associations have announced a new taskforce to develop a comprehensive carbon pricing strategy for the sectorSeven real estate industry associations have announced a new taskforce to develop a comprehensive carbon pricing strategy for the sector that takes a value chain perspective and enables pricing to be incorporated into investment decision making and accelerate its adoption. More →