Search Results for: communication

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 →

What is the role of a change manager?

What is the role of a change manager?

There seems to be a constant debate as to when a change manager should join a project based on the perceptions of what a change manager does. Many change managers feel they are brought onto a change programme only once the programme/project team realise they need to start communicating to the business about the change. The fact of the matter is that although communication is a key element of generating change, it is not the sole element or what enables change to happen. You can literally have thousands of communications of all different kinds from emails, posters, videos and townhalls, to name a few, but none of this will mean that change will actually occur. More →

Rigid return to office mandates and fixed places of work are backfiring

Rigid return to office mandates and fixed places of work are backfiring

A new study by Great Place To Work claims that forcing employees back to the office with so-called return-to-office mandates can have negative consequencesA new study by Great Place To Work claims that obliging employees back to the office with so-called return-to-office mandates and restricting their choice of work location can have negative consequences for the business. The report based on a survey of 4,400 US workers, claims to reveal a strong correlation between work location flexibility and positive employee experiences. Compared to those without a choice, employees with control over their work environment are three times more likely to want to stay with their company, and significantly less likely to become disengaged – a trend that has been referred to as “quiet quitting.” They’re also more likely to put in extra effort, foster good relationships with their managers, and feel their workplace fosters a healthy psychological and emotional environment. More →

ChatGPT produces half-baked answers most of the time, but people trust it anyway

ChatGPT produces half-baked answers most of the time, but people trust it anyway

A new study from researchers at Purdue University has found that 52 percent of ChatGPT’s responses to programming queries were ‘riddled’ with misinformation. Even so, people were more likely to trust its answers because they found the application to be so damn polite and well-spoken. It’s the Buster Scruggs of AI. More →

Remote work boom creates risk of professional isolation, study finds

Remote work boom creates risk of professional isolation, study finds

Researchers from the US have concluded that remote work can make people feel isolated and at risk of burnoutWhile the pandemic ushered in a wave of remote work with benefits for both employers and employees, a new study warns of a hidden risk: professional isolation. Researchers from Colorado State University found that remote employees experiencing isolation reported feeling less engaged and more depleted at work, potentially leading to burnout. The study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, surveyed 445 participants across two points in time. It measured professional isolation, schedule flexibility, and the level of support supervisors provided for work-life balance.

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Mastering GenAI: how to bridge skills gaps and boost employee confidence

Mastering GenAI: how to bridge skills gaps and boost employee confidence

The introduction of GenAI in the workplace means this skills gap is set to expandSix in ten employees will require training before 2027 according to the World Economic Forum, which estimates that the talent shortage will exceed 85 million people by 2030. The introduction of GenAI in the workplace means this skills gap is set to expand. In Udemy’s recent Global Learning & Skills Trends Report, we found that there are three key learning and skills trends for 2024. Firstly, we are seeing that companies are increasingly looking to hire based on skills rather than formal qualifications like degrees, as these hires more closely align with long-term strategic goals and are better equipped to upskill existing teams. More →

People are spending more time in the office, but no sign of a full return for many

People are spending more time in the office, but no sign of a full return for many

Many of the UK’s tech workers are embracing a structured return to spending more time in the office, according to a new report. According to the survey of 2,000 people from Techspace, there has been a ‘notable shift’ towards embracing structured office time, with Monday to Wednesday emerging as the top choices for in-office workdays. The report claims that this preference indicates a growing recognition of the benefits of face-to-face collaboration and a desire for a more traditional office environment. More →

How to personalize customer service correspondence via email

How to personalize customer service correspondence via email

Alt text: A woman sitting at a cafe, listening to one of the people inside talk about customer service correspondence via email.

Personalised customer service is no longer just a bonus; it’s a necessity in today’s market. With the digital space being the new frontier for customer interactions, emails have become a significant part of maintaining strong customer relations. Crafting email correspondence that feels personal and attentive can distinguish your brand and foster lasting customer loyalty. Keep reading to find out how personalization can transform your approach to customer service via email. More →

CIPD Festival of Work moves to London’s ExCeL for free, two-day event 

CIPD Festival of Work moves to London’s ExCeL for free, two-day event 

The CIPD Festival of Work returns this June at a brand-new venue: the universally beloved ExCeL London.The CIPD Festival of Work returns this June at a brand-new venue: the universally beloved ExCeL London. The CIPD says the free, two-day event will be a jam-packed, interactive line-up that celebrates innovative ideas and discusses the dilemmas facing the world of work. The Festival will aim to bring together a wide range of exhibiters and over 150 international inspirational thought leaders and leading experts, across seven stages. They will be discussing a diverse range of topics that will ’empower everyone, no matter their profession or sector, to promote meaningful and positive change and create a better world of work’.  More →

Hybrid working era means a boom time for workplace apps

Hybrid working era means a boom time for workplace apps

A new generation of workplace apps, coupled with a choice of settings, help people tailor their days and their experiencesDisseminating information about a building to the people who occupy it has come a long way from a basic, intranet desktop interface with warnings about wet floors or notices about charity fundraising. These days apps promise a much more sophisticated workplace experience, which can be accessed in the palm of your hand. Gartner has a useful definition of workplace apps’ capabilities, stating, “They are used to explore and reserve workspaces, navigate the workplace, find colleagues, plan the best days to attend the workplace, access services and ensure that employees could feel safe in a future post pandemic workplace.” More →

The role of emotional intelligence in effective sales leadership

The role of emotional intelligence in effective sales leadership

Alt text: A woman in an office researching sales leadership on her computerThe sales industry has long esteemed the virtues of sharp negotiation skills and strategic thinking. However, a growing body of research suggests emotional intelligence (EI) is a pivotal force behind sales leadership success. More than just a buzzword, EI encompasses the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in ourselves and others. Leaders adept in emotional intelligence are often seen forging stronger relationships and achieving greater outcomes. Below, we explore how EI can enhance sales leadership and why it’s critical for those looking to excel in this dynamic field. More →

A look back at The Stoddart Review: the once and future guide to workplace productivity?

A look back at The Stoddart Review: the once and future guide to workplace productivity?

A new edition of the Stoddart Review would offer a deep dive into the realities of working from home and what the measurement of ‘productivity’ means in the 2020sThe Stoddart Review, published in 2016, was one of the most significant reports of recent years to explore the role of the workplace for employee productivity in extensive detail and why the office environment was key for productivity purposes. There has been a huge shift in the world of work since then. What we once knew as the workplace has changed forever. More →