January 25, 2022

Third of people crave a return to the office for their mental health

by Neil Franklin • Facilities management, Flexible working, News, Property, Wellbeing

A new study from smart building platform Infogrid claims that nearly a third of working Brits (32 percent) want to return to their offices in January because they feel it would improve their mental health, which has been impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The top reasons UK employees cite for wanting to return to the office include working in a positive social environment (35 percent), having a reason to leave the house (26 percent), not having to worry about being cold at home (25 percent), and the daily commute providing time to transition between home and work life (23 percent). (more…)

January 24, 2022

Toxic workplace habits continue to undermine wellbeing

by Neil Franklin • News, Wellbeing

New research by Bupa claims there are five toxic workplace habits that are especially harmful to employee wellbeing, including ‘chronic procrastination’ and ‘workplace stress’. As a result, UK employees are actively searching for advice on how to manage their wellbeing at work. (more…)

January 20, 2022

Wellbeing ‘not necessarily’ harmed by long hours, study claims

by Neil Franklin • News, Wellbeing

Putting in overtime often comes at a cost of stress, burnout and depression. But extra work doesn’t always negatively affect wellbeing. In fact, according to recent research from academics ESCP Business School, it could be the opposite. According to the study, the crucial difference lies in the motivation behind the long hours, whether they stem from an inner desire or external pressures. (more…)

January 20, 2022

Lack of ‘face time’ leaving people feeling disengaged

by Neil Franklin • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

Around two thirds of professionals say they are ‘highly likely’ to leave their job this year due to a lack of face time with leaders within their organisation. Following the announcement yesterday from Government that working-from-home restrictions will be dropped, an annual employee survey from recruiter Robert Walters claims to reveal the potential damage of upholding remote leadership in 2022. Results from survey suggest a correlation between a decrease in output and morale for professionals who claim they see their manager (face-to-face) less than once a week. (more…)

January 18, 2022

Four day week trial launched in UK

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

A six-month trial of the recently much talked about four day week has been launched across the United Kingdom. Around thirty companies are expected to take part, who have also committed to retaining current pay and conditions for the employees involved. The pilot has been launched by the think tank Autonomy, 4 Day Week Global, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College. (more…)

January 17, 2022

Working from home isolation felt more keenly by younger workers

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

A new poll from RingCentral, a provider of cloud communications claims that younger workers are more likely to report feelings of isolation and anxiety when working from home. The firm claims that the results of the survey highlight the need for employers and others to ensure they stay connected and engaged with those working from home alone. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that around 1 in 6 (17 percent) adults experienced depression during the latter half of 2021 – almost double the rate before the pandemic (1 in 10). (more…)

January 14, 2022

Toxic workplace culture is driving staff to exit door

by Neil Franklin • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

Nearly two-thirds of employees who claim to have experienced a toxic workplace culture say the compensation they received did not make up for the emotional distress caused, according to new research from Culture Shift. The research from the impact software developer claims that 61 percent of those who have experienced problematic workplace behaviour have had to take a period of long-term leave, with over half (55 percent) saying the emotional distress lasted up to two years, while a third (34 percent) say it lasted three to four years. (more…)

January 13, 2022

Stress of pandemic has brought people closer, claims Microsoft

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Technology, Wellbeing

Microsoft’s new Work Trend Index Special Report, entitled “Technology Can Help Unlock a New Future for Frontline Workers”, suggests that 78 percent of frontline workers in the UK claim to feel “very bonded” to co-workers because of shared stress brought on by the pandemic and the shift to new ways of working. (more…)

January 11, 2022

Great Resignation offers firms a chance to create the Great Retention

by Erin Eatough • Comment, Flexible working, Wellbeing, Working culture

The last 18 months have seen unprecedented change. Covid-19 has forced people to re-evaluate every aspect of their lives, including their career. As a result, we’ve seen a surge in workers taking charge of their careers and leaving their jobs as part of the so-called Great Resignation. Recent data from the ONS shows that there were nearly 1.2 million job vacancies in the UK this quarter, with 15 of 18 sectors reporting record numbers. (more…)

January 10, 2022

People will quit if not offered a four day week

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

A new poll published today claims there is significant demand for a four day work week in the UK. The survey by Censuswide on behalf of ClickUp, suggests that nearly a third (31.2 percent) of Brits are actively looking for a shorter work week in 2022 or have already agreed to one with their current employer. (more…)

January 5, 2022

‘Great Resignation’ offers a one off opportunity to rethink our relationship with work

by Pip White • Comment, Flexible working, Technology, Wellbeing

After nearly two turbulent years, which for many knowledge workers have been dominated by a ground-hog day like existence, people are looking for change. This is only natural as workers around the world are re-evaluating their priorities, reigniting their passions, or simply looking for something new. This has led to a mini-exodus from businesses, which is now being dubbed the ‘Great Resignation’. (more…)

January 5, 2022

Warning over worker welfare on 2022’s first day ‘not back in office’

by Jayne Smith • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

The 4th January was the first working day of 2022 for many employees, but due to ongoing working from home restrictions the majority will not be attending their usual workplaces. According to the latest research from the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), more than half of office workers had expected to be back in the office today, and three quarters would have been back by the end of this week. (more…)