UK continues to trail behind in business investment. Incoming government won’t solve that

UK continues to trail behind in business investment. Incoming government won’t solve that

A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) says that the UK holds the lowest investment rates among G7 nationsA new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) says that the UK holds the lowest investment rates among G7 nations. The data indicates that for the third consecutive year, business investment in the UK has lagged behind its G7 counterparts. The nation also ranks 28th out of 31 OECD countries, trailing behind economies such as Slovenia, Latvia, and Hungary. More →

Generative AI could rewrite history, including that of the Holocaust

Generative AI could rewrite history, including that of the Holocaust

A UNESCO report published today warns that unless decisive action is taken to integrate ethical principles, AI could distort the historical record of the Holocaust and fuel antisemitismA UNESCO report published today warns that unless decisive action is taken to integrate ethical principles, AI could distort the historical record of the Holocaust and fuel antisemitism. The report cautions that not only can Generative AI enable malicious actors to seed disinformation and hate-fueled narratives, but it can also inadvertently invent false or misleading content about the Holocaust. More →

Workplace conflict leads to poor mental and physical health

Workplace conflict leads to poor mental and physical health

People who experience workplace conflict have lower job satisfaction and are more likely to experience poorer mental and physical healthPeople who experience conflict in the workplace have lower job satisfaction and are more likely to experience poorer mental and physical health, according to the CIPD Good Work Index 2024. The CIPD’s latest report showed a quarter (25 percent) of UK employees – an estimated eight million people – have experienced workplace conflict in the past year. More →

People say hybrid working has reduced their risk of burnout

People say hybrid working has reduced their risk of burnout

new poll claims that the vast majority of workers who have shifted to a hybrid working model say that it has helped them to greatly reduce burnout in their working livesA new poll claims that the vast majority of workers who have shifted to a hybrid working model say that it has helped them to greatly reduce burnout in their working lives. The survey of more than 1,000 people, undertaken by hybrid working firm International Workplace Group, suggests that three quarters (75 percent) reported a dramatic reduction in burnout symptoms, defined as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplaces stress, since moving to a hybrid model. More →

One of the main drivers for mums (and dads) to set up a new business is to cope with the school run

One of the main drivers for mums (and dads) to set up a new business is to cope with the school run

around 9 in 10 working mums who started their own businesses did so to achieve greater control over when and where they workA survey published as part of National Women’s Enterprise Week suggests that around 9 in 10 working mums who started their own businesses did so to achieve greater control over when and where they work.  National Women’s Enterprise Week is an initiative that looks to empower and support female entrepreneurialism. The research, which surveyed 500 UK entrepreneurs, sets out to highlight the importance of flexibility and autonomy as people juggle managing work and family life amid rising childcare costs. More →

The adoption of GenAI has major benefits for project management, report claims

The adoption of GenAI has major benefits for project management, report claims

hose who transform the perceived threat of GenAI into an opportunity will undoubtedly be in demand for their innovative leadershipA new report [registration] published by the Project Management Institute claims “those who adeptly transform the perceived threat of GenAI into an opportunity for their project teams and organisations will undoubtedly be in demand for their innovative leadership.” According to the report, 91 percent of project managers who use AI in more than 51 percent of their recent projects (Trailblazers) experienced a significant impact on project quality management. Compared to just 40 percent for project managers who use AI in 15 percent or less of their recent projects (Explorers). More →

We need to stop paying lip service to the issue of workplace wellbeing

We need to stop paying lip service to the issue of workplace wellbeing

Many people feel their employers are guilty of ‘wellness washing’, the practice of paying lip service to wellbeingIn the wake of Mental Health Awareness Week last month, now is a brilliant opportunity to take stock of impactful employee wellbeing initiatives. Many people feel their employers are guilty of ‘wellness washing’, the practice of paying lip service to wellbeing. However, the benefits of impactful wellbeing initiatives are clear – 89 percent of employees who have wellness programmes at work report being more engaged and happy within their roles. Taking a subjective approach by catering to employees’ needs can be transformational for employee satisfaction and, in turn, boost retention. More →

Most people feel disengaged from their work, but managers can still make all the difference

Most people feel disengaged from their work, but managers can still make all the difference

The percentage of employees who feel an engagement with their work is at a record high. But, the majority of employees are still not engagedEmployee engagement worldwide has remained steady according to  the latest edition of Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report. The good news, according to the authors, is that the percentage of engaged employees – those enthusiastic about their work – held at a record high of 23 percent from 2022. However, the bad news is that the majority of employees are still not engaged (62 percent) and just show up to do the minimum, while a significant number (15 percent) are actively disengaged, meaning they dislike their jobs and managers and are looking to leave. More →

Britain is no longer a nation of shopkeepers, but it is divided by the work we do

Britain is no longer a nation of shopkeepers, but it is divided by the work we do

An analysis of workforce data suggests that the work people do in different parts of the UK varies enormously, especially compared to LondonFollowing last week’s news that the fastest growing job category in the US isn’t necessarily the one you’d expect, a new report from HR software provider Ciphr, based on ONS data, claims to identify which jobs are the most disproportionately common in each part of the UK. The report analyses the latest regional employee estimates for over 370 occupations to find out which work roles (with at least 5,000 full-time employees) appear to be more concentrated, or over-represented, in some places more than others. More →

Workplace conflict makes daily life a misery for millions. But there is hope

Workplace conflict makes daily life a misery for millions. But there is hope

People who experience conflict in the workplace have lower job satisfaction and are more likely to experience poorer mental and physical health, according to the CIPD Good Work Index 2024.People who experience conflict in the workplace have lower job satisfaction and are more likely to experience poorer mental and physical health, according to the CIPD Good Work Index 2024. The CIPD’s latest report showed a quarter (25 percent) of UK employees – an estimated eight million people – have experienced workplace conflict in the past year. Among those who reported at least one form of conflict, the most common forms were: being undermined or humiliated at work (48 percent), being shouted at or having a heated argument (35 percent), verbal abuse or insult (34 percent) or discriminatory behaviour (20 percent). More →

Return to office mandates may have been used to quietly layoff employees

Return to office mandates may have been used to quietly layoff employees

A new study from HR software company BambooHR suggests some managers may have hoped so-called return-to-office (RTO) mandates would trigger a wave of voluntary resignationA new study from HR software company BambooHR suggests some managers may have hoped so-called return-to-office (RTO) mandates would trigger a wave of voluntary resignations, effectively acting as covert layoffs. The research, which examined the impact of RTO policies on work culture, found that a quarter of executives and a fifth of HR professionals surveyed secretly hoped RTO would lead to employees quitting. This aligns with concerns that some companies might be using RTO as a way to avoid formal layoffs. More →

Two thirds of working parents considering quitting because of childcare costs

Two thirds of working parents considering quitting because of childcare costs

More than two-thirds (70 percent) of working parents in the UK have quit or are considering quitting their job due to lack of affordable childcare optionsMore than two-thirds (70 percent) of working parents in the UK have quit or are considering quitting their job due to lack of affordable childcare options, according to a new poll from Remote. The research explores the financial and mental impact return to office mandates and a lack of flexible hours has on parents, as well as outlining the consequences of what the report calls  the ‘Working Parents Crisis’ on the UK’s workforce shortages.   More →