Columnists
June 1, 2023
The circular economy is a great opportunity, but it doesn’t add up yet
by Joanna Knight • Comment, Environment, JK, Workplace design
The circular economy, carbon measurement, product material content, rental, ‘take back’, reuse and recycling – all actions for a more environmentally responsible workplace sector. But what are the priorities? Manufacturers and suppliers are arguably challenged by lack of clarity, requirements for significant investment, combined with cost pressures in a heavily subscribed market.
May 24, 2023
Hybrid working, work from anywhere and the evolution of the Third Place
by Chelsea Perino • Comment, Property, Workplace design
The restrictions brought about by COVID-19 altered where we work and thus also how, when and through which channels we do work related activities. These changes radically altered the way previously office-based workers thought about ‘work’ as an activity. This new era of hybrid working had a significant impact on traditional models of workplace provisioning. […]
May 16, 2023
Getting back to the future of work
May 10, 2023
How to eliminate tech-shaming in the workplace
by Aaron Taylor • Comment, Technology, Workplace
April 24, 2023
Reconnecting older workers with the office: have we retired what matters most?
by Julie Lecoq • Comment, Flexible working, Workplace design
Older workers now make up a larger percentage of the workforce than they did two decades ago. Data from Legal and General and the Centre for Economic Research (Cebr) suggests that the number of over 50s in employment has increased by 36 percent in the last 20 years, with 47 percent of this age group […]
April 19, 2023
We shouldn’t be deterred by the wonky start to the circular economy
by Becky Gordon • Comment, Environment, Workplace design
We’re all familiar with the circular economy in some shape or form. We know the principles of recycling materials back into the original product to create a perfectly circular model of sustainability. But in practice, as architects and designers are finding, the development of the circular economy not quite so simple. Circular design is possible […]
April 10, 2023
IF AI can replace what you do without anybody noticing, the problem isn’t with the technology
by Mark Eltringham • Comment, Technology, Wellbeing
Perhaps the least surprising news from the current AI media frenzy is that Buzzfeed has already been using the tech to publish a lot of its stories. There’s an obvious response to this and it’s not about how amazing the AI is. If an artificial intelligence can write vast quantities of formulaic clickbait stories on […]
April 10, 2023
The allure of workplace bullshit
by Mark Eltringham • Comment, Wellbeing, Workplace design
Although the legend of Faust is one of the Germanic world’s foundational narratives, its archetypes and themes were already established by the time Goethe codified them in his 1808 play. They have since become universal. The idea that somebody would sell their soul to the Devil to gain something or rid themselves of unhappiness is […]
April 7, 2023
The need for reimagination in an age of uncertainty
April 5, 2023
Do you have a crystal ball when it comes to leading change?
by Jennifer Bryan • Comment, JB, Workplace
March 31, 2023
Are we asking the right questions about the workplace?
by George Muir • Comment, Everything Omni, Facilities management, Property
In 1989, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, performed a TV sketch called Information. You can watch it below. It featured Stephen Fry sitting at a desk with a placard displaying the word “INFORMATION”. He asks, “Can I help you?” to which Hugh Laurie replies, “Oh, I would like some information, please”. Though, in the discussion, […]
June 1, 2023
Resenteeism. Destructive, contagious and in your workplace right now
by Stephanie Fitzgerald • Comment, SF, Wellbeing, Workplace
You measure absenteeism. You are aware of presenteeism. But what are you doing about the new kid on the block – resenteeism? This occurs when employees stay in a job despite being fundamentally unhappy. They don’t want to be at work and when they are there, they actively resent it. Increasingly employees are fed up, […]