Built environment sector must think in radical ways and act quickly

Built environment sector must think in radical ways and act quickly

built environment need for actionThe construction sector, the real estate industry and city planners must give high priority to the same goal – to drastically reduce their climate impacts. Powerful, combined efforts across all of the built environment sectors are absolutely crucial for the potential to achieve the UN’s sustainability goals. And what’s more – everything has to happen very quickly. These are the cornerstones to a roadmap presented at the recent Beyond 2020 World Conference. More →

People working from home should be taxed for the privilege, says Deutsche Bank

People working from home should be taxed for the privilege, says Deutsche Bank

working from homePeople working from home should be taxed at a higher rate to compensate for the money they aren’t spending on commuting and other expenses, according to a new report from economists at Deutsche Bank. The report argues that the move could generate billions in additional revenue which could then be redistributed to lower paid workers and those who cannot work remotely. The report argues that this should have happened anyway given that the number of Americans who regularly worked from home had already increased by 173 percent between 2005 and 2018. More →

Mental health continues to deteriorate as a result of the pandemic

Mental health continues to deteriorate as a result of the pandemic

mental health and the black dogMorneau Shepell has published its monthly Mental Health Index report, which claims there is a a consistent trend of negative mental health among Britons at the seven-month mark of the pandemic. The Mental Health Index for October is -13.4, suggesting that Britons’ mental wellbeing continues to be at risk, with declining workplace productivity and the need for support adding to the continuing strain of the pandemic. More →

Green commercial properties prove their worth

Green commercial properties prove their worth

green Nearly half of respondents in a global survey reported stronger occupier and investor demand for commercial properties with green building certificates. This translates into higher rents according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, RICS, sustainability findings within its global commercial property monitor for the third quarter. More →

Self-confidence vs resilience: What makes entrepreneurs thrive?

Self-confidence vs resilience: What makes entrepreneurs thrive?

entrepreneursIn times of economic stability, entrepreneurs who exude self-confidence are the most likely to thrive. However, when faced with unstable and adverse economic conditions, those entrepreneurs who possess greater resilience are most likely to come out on top, according to new research from Durham University Business School. More →

Productivity and wellbeing highest in companies with a connected culture

Productivity and wellbeing highest in companies with a connected culture

connected cultureRingCentral UK Ltd, has released the findings of its Connected Culture Report claiming that employees working for companies that foster a “connected culture” are twice as likely (34 percent vs. 15 percent) to be productive when working from anywhere, than those that don’t. More →

Covid-19 crisis has created unique challenges for working single parents

Covid-19 crisis has created unique challenges for working single parents

ChallengesNew research published by Gingerbread and the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) highlights unique challenges for working single parents including for those who will lose their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 Crisis. As the country experiences a second Lockdown, and with growing unemployment and continued childcare restrictions, it is vital that the government provide better support to single parents. More →

Businesses prioritise environmental impact in post-COVID-19 strategies

Businesses prioritise environmental impact in post-COVID-19 strategies

EnvironmentalThree-quarters (75 percent) of business decision makers say their organisation’s environmental and social impact has become more important due to COVID-19, according to new research from Epson. The research claims that business decision makers are taking action too, with more than half (55 percent) confirming they are now paying more attention to these targets compared to six months ago. More →

Workers lukewarm on both permanent remote work and the 9 to 5

Workers lukewarm on both permanent remote work and the 9 to 5

WorkersThe vast majority of UK office workers neither want to continue working remotely after Covid-19 restrictions lift nor make a full return to the 9 to 5. This is despite the fact that many admit that remote work has reduced their productivity. Those are the main claims of new research released by Locatee. Carried out by YouGov, the research claims to provide insight into UK office workers’ attitudes towards productivity, job security, and the prospect of further Covid-19 restrictions. More →

November lockdown reignites concerns about mental health and productivity

November lockdown reignites concerns about mental health and productivity

ProductivityA vast majority of managers (75 percent) faced challenges with employees when working remotely, causing concerns within businesses preparing for the second UK lockdown. More →

More stability in sight for employment but three in ten employers still planning redundancies

More stability in sight for employment but three in ten employers still planning redundancies

RedundanciesThe pace of deterioration in UK job prospects is starting to slow this autumn due to very modest improvements in planned recruitment activity and a slight decrease in employers’ intentions to make redundancies. This is according to the latest quarterly CIPD/the Adecco Group Labour Market Outlook (LMO) survey – involving more than 1000 employers and covering all sectors of the economy. More →

Now is the time for employers to think differently about who they hire

Now is the time for employers to think differently about who they hire

EmployersAs COVID-19 has forced businesses to change where and how they work this year, the learning disability charity Mencap is now calling on employers to think differently about WHO they employ. The pandemic has highlighted the invaluable contribution people with a learning disability and/ or autism can make as hardworking and valued employees. More →