Hybrid working remains a key recruitment tool

Hybrid working remains a key recruitment tool

Over four in five (83 percent) HR professionals across the UK say that hybrid working is essential in attracting the best talent, according to a new survey from flexible workspace operator IWG.Over four in five (83 percent) HR professionals across the UK say that hybrid working is essential in attracting the best talent, according to a new survey from flexible workspace operator IWG. The poll of 500 UK HR professionals suggests that benefits like hybrid working, which give employees a better work/life balance, are crucial for attracting talent. Almost two thirds (64 percent) of HR professionals have experienced applicants turn down a job because of a lack of wellness benefits such as flexible working and exercise options. More →

Half of people never thought they’d be back working in an office last year

Half of people never thought they’d be back working in an office last year

More than half of UK employees did not believe they would return to office based work full time in 2022, according to a survey by GlobalDataMore than half of UK employees did not believe they would return to office based work full time in 2022, according to a survey by GlobalData. The poll from the analytics company which focuses its research on the insurance sector  suggests that increasing consumer demand for flexible working models presents both challenges and opportunities. GlobalData’s survey, conducted as part of research for its Insurance Intelligence Center, indicates that only 40 percent of those surveyed anticipated a return to the office in 2022. More →

Vast majority of IT managers prioritise commercial success over sustainability

Vast majority of IT managers prioritise commercial success over sustainability

A new poll claims that the vast majority of tech managers prioritise commercial success over sustainability, despite the fact that nearly all agree with the idea that sustainability is good for businessA new poll claims that the vast majority of tech managers prioritise commercial success over sustainability, despite the fact that nearly all agree with the idea that sustainability is good for business. The report from Software AG is based on a survey of 2,000 senior IT decision-makers from the US, Canada, UK, Germany and France. It suggests that most organisations prioritise commercial objectives over sustainability in the face of economic challenges. This is despite the fact that almost all (95 percent) leaders agree sustainability is either a top or high priority and a similar number (97 percent) agree that other firms’ sustainability credentials are either essential or important in their own buying decisions. The annual Reality Check reports seeks to investigate how technology initiatives can benefit both sustainability and commercial objectives. More →

Third of firms believe hybrid working improves productivity, but at a cost

Third of firms believe hybrid working improves productivity, but at a cost

A poll from the latest Bupa Global Executive Wellbeing Index suggests that over a third (35 percent) of UK business leaders feel implementing hybrid working has brought greater productivity to their organisations. Over a quarter (29  percent) of UK executives said they had now embraced the benefits of hybrid working despite being previously dubious about the practice, with more than two-fifths (44 percent) saying they personally enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid workplace. Overall, over a third of UK business leaders (35 percent) agreed that working from home increases productivity. More →

TOG opens what it claims is Central London’s tallest mass timber office building

TOG opens what it claims is Central London’s tallest mass timber office building

Flexible office provider TOG has announced the opening of its first project built from the ground upFlexible office provider TOG has announced the opening of its first project built from the ground up – The Black & White Building, located in Shoreditch. The firm claims that The Black & White Building is Central London’s tallest mass timber office, standing at 17.8 metres high and covering 38,315 sq ft. The workspace has been built using renewable materials and innovative construction methods, which TOG claims results in embodied carbon creation being reduced by 37 percent compared with a concrete structure of the same size. More →

Wellbeing and organisational agility will dominate workplace conversations in 2023

Wellbeing and organisational agility will dominate workplace conversations in 2023

Mental health and wellbeing will dominate conversations about the role of work in people's lives this yearMental health and wellbeing will dominate conversations about the role of work in people’s lives this year, due in part to the effects of the global pandemic, as well as social and economic instability around the world, according to the latest megatrends report from UKG. The report claims that many people are feeling overwhelmed in the face of negative news cycles headlining economic uncertainty, climate change, violence, and political unrest have contributed to a spike in mental wellbeing issues. More →

Rising costs will oblige more companies to offer flexible working

Rising costs will oblige more companies to offer flexible working

Two thirds of UK businesses believe offering flexible working to their employees is crucial if they are to successfully retain and attract talentTwo thirds of UK businesses believe offering flexible working to their employees is crucial if they are to successfully retain and attract talent, according to a new report. Businesses don’t believe they cannot compete on salary alone and are instead offering flexibility to stay competitive. Over half (52 percent) of businesses have increased salaries to attract talented workers, but say wages rises can’t continue at the rate they have been going. The second Future World of Work report from Sonovate is based on quantitative research from 4,000 people and 500 small and medium-sized business owners, as well as qualitative interviews with commentators from the future of work, employment and fintech sectors. More →

Glassdoor announces winners of best place to work awards

Glassdoor announces winners of best place to work awards

Glassdoor has announced the winners of its annual Employees’ Choice AwardGlassdoor has announced the winners of its annual Employees’ Choice Awards, honouring the Best Places to Work 2023 across the UK and four other countries. The Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Awards are based on the input of employees who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer over the past year. More →

Commercial property values and returns fell significantly in 2022

Commercial property values and returns fell significantly in 2022

London and UK commercial propertyUK commercial property capital values decreased significantly in 2022, and annual total returns were also down, according to the latest CBRE Monthly Index. Capital values decreased 3.0 percent across all UK commercial property in December 2022. Rental value growth for the month was 0.2 percent and total returns were -2.6 percent. For 2022 as a whole, capital values fell 13.3 percent, and annual total returns were -9.1 percent, according to the report. More →

Flexible working and work-life balance most important features of new job roles

Flexible working and work-life balance most important features of new job roles

A woman breathes in deeply and looks relaxed to illustrate the issue of work-life balance and the importance of flexible workingOne in three (33 percent) employees say the most important factor to them when contemplating a move to a new job, after pay, is work-life balance, according to a new poll of 13,000 UK based employees from Hays. The survey suggests that the extent to which employees are satisfied with their work-life balance has been improving over the last three years. More →

People prefer flexible to hybrid working according to new poll

People prefer flexible to hybrid working according to new poll

A new poll from MHR claims that people appear to prefer flexible to hybrid working. It suggests that a greater proportion of employees would prefer to work in the office with flexible hours (51 percent) than work from home with structured hours (41 percent)A new poll from MHR claims that people appear to prefer flexible to hybrid working. It suggests that a greater proportion of employees would prefer to work in the office with flexible hours (51 percent) than work from home with structured hours (41 percent). The survey [registration] of over 1,200 full time office workers across the UK and Ireland set out to find how their experience working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic compared to their usual work practices. More →

Employee mental health will improve next year, say firms

Employee mental health will improve next year, say firms

employee mental health and wellbeing Nearly three quarters of UK organisations expect employee mental health to improve in 2023 as they open up about mental wellbeing according to a new poll from Koa Health. The study, conducted in partnership with 3Gem Research and Insights, claims that half of employers say they plan to talk more about mental health in company communications as teams continue to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on mental health. A further 44 percent say they will openly and visibly practise mental wellbeing habits in the workplace.   More →