About Jayne Smith

Posts by Jayne Smith:

More than half of UK workers planning to take on a side hustle

More than half of UK workers planning to take on a side hustle

workersOver half (54 percent) of UK workers say they are more open to taking on a side hustle or freelance work since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research from Fiverr. Over 2 in 5 (44 percent) agree they are more open to it, due to the flexibility that working from home has given them. More →

Investment in digital technology set to deliver £232bn boost to UK economy by 2040

Investment in digital technology set to deliver £232bn boost to UK economy by 2040

economyInvestment in digital technology is set to increase UK GDP by £232bn (6.9 percent) in 2040, according to a new study by Virgin Media Business and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The research, which examines how more digital ways of working can support the UK’s economic recovery from Covid-19, claims investment in technology could boost the economy by £74bn in 2025. More →

The best places to live for work-life balance

The best places to live for work-life balance

work-life balanceAs Brits continue to spend an extensive amount of time at home, the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance has never been so vital. For their 2021 Work-Life Balance Index, money.co.uk have delved through ONS data to uncover where in Britain is best situated for its residents to achieve a good work-life balance. More →

Mental health related workplace absenteeism costs soared to £14bn in 2020

Mental health related workplace absenteeism costs soared to £14bn in 2020

mental healthThe impact of the nation’s deteriorating mental health from Covid-19 lockdowns and other restrictions cost UK businesses £14bn last year, according to a study by Westfield Health. The cost of absenteeism from work due to mental health reasons increased last year by £1.3bn from 2019’s totals as work from home, travel restrictions, furlough and pay cuts changed the workplace for millions of people across the UK. More →

Firms split furniture budgets between home and office

Firms split furniture budgets between home and office

home officeAs lockdown looks set to be extended until mid-March and many business professionals continue to work remotely, a new study by lighting supplier Ultra LEDs claims that only now are workers investing in their home office as they plan for the future. More →

LGBT+ workers experience higher levels of conflict at work

LGBT+ workers experience higher levels of conflict at work

LGBT+The CIPD has launched a new research report ‘Inclusion at work: Perspectives on LGBT+ working lives’ to highlight how LGBT+ workers tend to have a more negative experience of work. More →

Flexibility and reskilling top priorities for UK employers in 2021

Flexibility and reskilling top priorities for UK employers in 2021

flexibilityThe COVID-19 pandemic is driving a fundamental shift in the way companies operate, accelerating the need for an adaptable and agile workforce to drive business success. According to Mercer’s 2021 Global Talent Trends study, the financial impact and work-life disruption caused by the pandemic is causing UK employers to focus on redefining flexibility and skills development to ensure their business and employees become more resilient and agile in the face of disruption.

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Nearly half of young people put their career plans on hold due to pandemic

Nearly half of young people put their career plans on hold due to pandemic

careerMore than 40 percent of young people aged 16-24 surveyed in the UK say they are putting their career or education plans on hold until the pandemic is over. The research, commissioned by BAE Systems to mark National Apprenticeship Week (8-12 February), looks at the impact the pandemic has had on the ‘lost generation’ and their career aspirations. More →

Working from home causes people to drift into a ‘cycle of fatigue’

Working from home causes people to drift into a ‘cycle of fatigue’

working from home and fatigueWorking from home is exacerbating an ‘always on’ culture. Data from a study of UK employees, conducted by virtual team building company Wildgoose claims that over half of respondents are struggling to keep their workloads within working hours. More →

One in eight over 55s hit by loneliness and isolation during Covid-19

One in eight over 55s hit by loneliness and isolation during Covid-19

isolationThe ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has heightened existing feelings of loneliness and isolation among people aged 55 and over, according to a new report by housing provider Central and Cecil (C&C). More →

Majority of the workforce will need new skill sets to do their jobs successfully

Majority of the workforce will need new skill sets to do their jobs successfully

skill setsHR leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to quickly find and develop talent with the most in demand skills, yet 58 percent of the workforce needs new skill sets to get their jobs done, according to Gartner, Inc. More →

Remote working affects both ends of the career ladder

Remote working affects both ends of the career ladder

remote workingWorking together in person has far-ranging benefits on everything from mental health to economic growth according to a new report by Landsec and written by IC&CO and Honeycomb Analytics. The report, In Person: why coming together for work matters, includes interviews with business leaders and analysis of recent data to delve into topics including the ability for leaders to lead and the younger generation’s capacity to learn whilst remote working. More →