Remote work leads to more people suffering from ‘phone anxiety’

Remote work leads to more people suffering from ‘phone anxiety’

A new poll suggests that four in 10 employees have experienced an increase in feelings of 'phone anxiety' as a result of remote workA new poll conducted by telephone answering provider, Face For Business, suggests that four in 10 employees have experienced an increase in feelings of ‘phone anxiety’ as a result of remote work. The survey also claims that those aged 18-34 bear the brunt of this heightened anxiety. The report claims that the driver of this surge in anxiety is alack of immediate support available to remote workers, which 12 percent of respondents cited as their primary concern when fielding calls from home. The authors suggest that the absence of colleagues just a desk away exacerbates feelings of isolation and uncertainty, leaving employees feeling adrift in the sea of incoming calls. More →

Millions of people are living with poor air quality, placing their health and lives at risk

Millions of people are living with poor air quality, placing their health and lives at risk

IQAir has published its sixth Annual World Air Quality Report, which reveals troubling details of worldwide pollution in 2023IQAir has published its sixth Annual World Air Quality Report, which reveals troubling details of worldwide pollution in 2023. The report is an annual air quality analysis that tracks worldwide exposure to harmful levels of PM2.5 pollution. The report ranks 134 countries, territories, and regions across 7,748 locations using data from over 30,000 air quality monitoring stations around the globe. More →

Greater support for public health professionals could reap huge economic benefits

Greater support for public health professionals could reap huge economic benefits

Millions of people in the public health workforce could help reduce ill health in the UK, new report finds The Royal Society for Public Health has today published a new report calling for greater collective support for the millions of people in the UK workforce that are positively contributing to the nationā€™s health. The report argues that there are up to 1.5 million people working across a huge range of occupations who, with the right training and support, have the potential to help produce better health outcomes, reduce pressure on the NHS and grow the economy. More →

Isolated under-40s far less likely to have strong workplace relationships

Isolated under-40s far less likely to have strong workplace relationships

Workers under 40 are 80 per cent more likely to lack trusted workplace relationships compared to workers over 50,Workers under 40 are 80 per cent less likely to have trusted workplace relationships compared to workers over 50, impacting their mental health, physical wellbeing and productivity, according to a new report from TELUS Health. The TELUS Mental Health Index sets out to explore the mental health of employed people in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Europe, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. More →

How Thomas Jefferson came to invent the swivel chair

How Thomas Jefferson came to invent the swivel chair

Thomas JeffersonIn 1775, Thomas Jefferson was a busy man. As part of the Committee of Five men and at the tender age of 33, he had been charged with drafting the Declaration of Independence that was to be presented to Congress the following Summer. By all accounts, Jefferson was a self-contained and self-sufficient man and, like many great people, a mass of contradictions.

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Employees increasingly want to work for firms with a clear sense of purpose

Employees increasingly want to work for firms with a clear sense of purpose

In the face of climate change, social justice movements, and recession, employees are seeking alternative commitments from employers. A new poll from Sparta Global claims that for job seekers in 2024, a companyā€™s contributions to environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation, and community well-being are of growing importance. More →

Applications open for UKā€™s leading public health awards scheme

Applications open for UKā€™s leading public health awards scheme

The Royal Society for Public Health Health & Wellbeing Awards are back and open for applicationsAfter two years, The RSPH Health & Wellbeing Awards are back and open for applications. The Royal Society for Public Health is the oldest public health body in the world and the Awards have been a key date in the sectorā€™s calendar since they first launched in 2014. More →

Employers need to offer better support to working dads

Employers need to offer better support to working dads

Father and son walk on beach showing need for shared parental leaveNew research commissioned by REC Parenting – an online platform offering paid support to parents and carers ā€“ suggests that working dads need greater support in the workplace to successfully juggle all their responsibilities. Almost a third (32 percent) have considered leaving their job because of the pressure of managing work and caring responsibilities and three in 10 often feel overwhelmed by the demands placed on them at work and home. More →

Half of neurodiverse people missing work due to lack of workplace support

Half of neurodiverse people missing work due to lack of workplace support

City & Guildsā€™ annual Neurodiversity Index shines a light on the challenges faced by neurodiverse people in the workplaceCity & Guildsā€™ annual Neurodiversity Index, published today following a government-backed review of autism employment, and ahead of Neurodiversity Week, shines a light on the challenges faced by neurodiverse people in the workplace, with half of those surveyed having been off work last year due to their condition. The second edition of the annual Neurodiversity Index, published by City & Guilds Foundation in partnership with Do-IT solutions, surveys over 600 individuals and organisations. The findings show that 36 percent of neurodivergent employees do notĀ  receive any guidance or support in their workplace setting, while 20 percent are still waiting for adjustments to be put in place. More →

Only a quarter of desk-based workers in the UK say they have a healthy relationship with work

Only a quarter of desk-based workers in the UK say they have a healthy relationship with work

While the worldā€™s relationship with work is strained and employee expectations are rising, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a key to unlocking better relationships with workHP has announced new findings from its Work Relationship Index, a report that explores employeesā€™ relationships with work around the world. The survey of more than 15,600 respondents across 12 countries, reveals that while the worldā€™s relationship with work is strained and employee expectations are rising, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a key to unlocking better relationships with work.Ā  More →

Another chance to hear: Sally Gunnell in conversation with Kate Usher on the Workplace Insight podcast

Another chance to hear: Sally Gunnell in conversation with Kate Usher on the Workplace Insight podcast

One of the UKā€™s greatest ever athletes and now a corporate wellbeing consultant and speaker, Sally Gunnell discusses with Kate Usher the challenges faced by women in the second half of their lives, in the latest Workplace Insight podcast. Sally is the only female British athlete ever to hold the Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles for 400m Hurdles. Her world record time still ranks in the top 10 fastest times, ever. More →

There never was a new normal

There never was a new normal

Our strength will come in admitting that the ā€˜new normalā€™ was a mirage. Itā€™s time that we all stopped focusing so hard on trying to reach it.Four years ago this month, we were all given our first ā€˜work from homeā€™ mandate. A clear, unambiguous instruction from the UK government that, in the grip of a quickly spreading global pandemic, we should all work from home where possible. And amid the biggest seismic shift of our lifetime, it was an easy instruction to follow. Hunker down and wait patiently until we find a ā€˜new normal.ā€™ But four years on, the question remains – are we nearly there yet? Are we ever going to find a ā€™new normalā€™? More →