November 3, 2022

Flexible working takes a step back in face of economic certainty

As economic storm clouds gather, the flexibility and freedoms introduced during the pandemic that employees benefited from are now at risk according to a new study conducted by LinkedIn. It claims that in the UK, the current economic and business climate is causing concern among business leader that companies will be forced to wind back progress on important areas of working life such as flexible working (75 percent), skills development (76 percent), and employee wellbeing (83 percent). More →

October 24, 2022

BCO recommends more space per person for the new era of flexible working

by Neil Franklin • News, Property, Workplace design

A report by the British Council for Offices (BCO) recommends a new method for calculating the amount of space needed per person in the post-pandemic world of flexible working. The research claims to identify a ‘sweet spot’ of 10-12 sq. m. per person. This will account for the rise in people working from home and hot-desking when in the office, while simultaneously ensuring the workspace meets modern employers’ requirements to promote productivity and wellbeing, as well as targets to minimise carbon emissions. More →

October 17, 2022

Flexible working may help to entice large numbers of older people back into work

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Workplace

There are 712,000 additional people aged over 50 who are economically inactive compared with the same period three years ago (pre-covid pandemic), according to new analysis from Rest Less, a digital community and advocate group for people in their 50s, 60s and beyond. The organisation is now calling on firms to ensure their flexible working practices and in-house training schemes are suitable for all age groups and not just targeted at younger people. More →

October 10, 2022

Leading UK employers call for flexible working recruitment by default

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News

A joint letter from 21 leading employers – including several in the FTSE 100 – is calling on employers across the UK to advertise all vacant roles with flexible options by default. The full text is: More →

October 10, 2022

Half of working parents would leave in search of flexible working

by Jayne Smith • Flexible working, News

A new YouGov poll commissioned by Working Families and SF Recruitment claims to underscore the impact and importance of employers prioritising flexible working as part of their recruitment strategy. Launched to mark the start of National Work Life Week (10-14 October), the poll of 992 UK parents of children aged 18 and under demonstrates that advertising all vacant roles with flexible options stated by default widens the talent pool for employers and unlocks opportunities for parents. More →

September 23, 2022

TOG and Fora complete merger to create new flexible workspace giant

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Property

Following approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), TOG and Fora are proud to announce the completion of their merger, bringing together two highly complementary businesses with similar cultures and portfolios of high-quality, design-led workspaces. The merged business (the ‘Group’) will operate under a parent company called The Office Group with both the TOG and Fora brands retained until a full brand review is completed. The Group has plans to create the premier flexible workspace group in London and other key European cities and is well positioned to draw on the expertise and scale of both companies. More →

August 31, 2022

Mindspace opens new Berlin flex office in renovated department store

by Freddie Steele • Company news

Mindspace is set to open its sixth Berlin flex office, by renovating a former department store in the heart of the city into a new space. Located at Münzstraße 12 / Max-Beer-Straße 2-4 in Berlin, near Alexanderplatz, the global flex office provider’s newest location Mindspace Münzstraße is being built across 4,100 m² and will cover over 700 workstations spanning five floors. Scheduled to open in spring 2023, the building has been part of the WertInvest Group portfolio since 2014 and combines the best inner-city location with an architecture steeped in history. More →

August 26, 2022

Iconic products from Giroflex to be celebrated at Clerkenwell Open

by Freddie Steele • Company news

A seminar and exhibition at the upcoming Clerkenwell Open will explore the 150 year history of one of the most iconic and ground-breaking office furniture firms in the world – Giroflex. Now part of global furniture pioneer Flokk, the event gives people the chance to explore the historical context of the development of ergonomic seating as well as a chance to see current developments, including a first chance to see the firm’s new G40 range, pictured below. More →

July 21, 2022

Flex office provider Mindspace opens its first Düsseldorf location

by Neil Franklin • Company news

Mindspace is opening its first location in Düsseldorf: the flex office provider is moving into 4,100 square meters in the centrally located mixed-use commercial complex “Stilwerk” on a long-term basis. The location “Mindspace Grünstraße” will include 600 workstations overlooking an attractive atrium and will include the numerous Mindspace benefits and amenities such as meeting rooms, lounges and kitchens. Mindspace Grünstraße is scheduled to open in February 2023. More →

July 8, 2022

Flex office space market in UK set to increase by half over next four years

by Neil Franklin • Company news, Property

Hybrid working policies are driving demand in the flexible workspace market as companies are using coworking and serviced offices at record levels. In its annual UK Market Update Report, The Instant Group’s data claims that demand for flex office space across the country is up 22 percent in the last 12 months. Cities – such as Leeds and Manchester are leading the way in this increase although there are also signs of a recovery in central London. The size of the space being taken with flex operators has also increased by 44 percent since the pandemic as larger companies incorporate more flexible workspace in their real estate portfolios. More →

June 22, 2022

Four day week demands intensify as workers crave flexibility

by Jayne Smith • Flexible working, News, Workplace

According to a new report from ADP exploring employees’ attitudes towards the current world of work, six-in-ten (60 percent) UK workers would like more flexibility as to when they work, such as condensing hours into a four day week. This number increased to two-thirds (67 percent) in Greater London. This desire for great flexibility comes at a time when there is a mental health ticking timebomb happening in offices up and down the land. Over half (51 percent) of men and 45 percent of women admit that their work us suffering due to their poor mental health. This is leading to over a quarter (29 percent) of workers actively trying to change their job and/or move into another industry. More →

June 21, 2022

Flexible working options can support women in the workplace

by Dr Gabriella Rosen Kellerman • Comment, Flexible working, Wellbeing

As of May 2022, more than one hundred years after the passage of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act – legislation which opened the workplace equally to women – more than half of the UK’s female professionals are at risk of leaving their jobs. As a recent study showed, 52 percent of women in the UK say they are either considering leaving or have already left a role due to lack of flexibility. The widespread nature of this “Flexidus” is chilling. The pandemic has already set back women’s participation in the workforce back 22 years behind men. How can businesses respond with the flexible working choices that many women are seeking? More →