Search Results for: financial

You get what you give at the CoreNet Global Summit 2024 in Berlin

You get what you give at the CoreNet Global Summit 2024 in Berlin

CoreNet truly embraced its theme of ‘People Power’, emphasising the vital but often overlooked aspect of workplace strategy: connectionHave you ever attended a conference and been asked to gaze deeply into a stranger’s eyes for several minutes, standing just a metre apart in silence? No? Neither have I – until this September at the CoreNet Global Summit in Berlin. Gone are the days of handshakes and small talk. Today, it’s all about relationality, empathy, and hugging it out. For some, the summit’s emphasis on fostering human connections was a joyful opportunity to bond and share meaningful moments with fellow professionals. For others, it felt like being trapped in a never-ending therapy session nobody signed up for. (more…)

UK see largest contraction in Labour Force since the 1980s

UK see largest contraction in Labour Force since the 1980s

The final report from the two-year Commission on the Future of Employment Support claims that the UK needs ‘once-in-a-generation reform’ to boost growth and improve living standards in the face of a huge contraction in the country’s labour force. The report suggests that the UK is one of the few developed nations where employment has fallen post-pandemic. The UK has dropped from having the eighth-highest employment rate globally to fifteenth. Had the original position been maintained, the economy would be £25 billion larger annually, with public finances £16 billion better off. (more…)

Firms are optimistic about AI, but most have little idea what to do with it

Firms are optimistic about AI, but most have little idea what to do with it

Despite high levels of optimism about their adoption of AI, two thirds of firms say they are not ready to implement AI in projects yetDespite high levels of optimism about their adoption of artificial intelligence, two thirds of firms say they are not ready to implement AI in projects yet, according to a new poll. The Riverbed Global AI & Digital Experience Survey suggests that while 94 percent of those surveyed say AI is a top C-Suite priority and 91 percent agree it provides a competitive advantage, only 37 percent are fully prepared to implement projects now,  However, 86 percent of leaders say they expect their organisation to be fully prepared to implement a strategy and projects by 2027.  (more…)

A new approach is needed to tackle ill health and economic inactivity, report argues

A new approach is needed to tackle ill health and economic inactivity, report argues

A ‘whole-of-government approach’ is needed to tackle the causes of ill health, increase economic activity and reduce NHS demandA ‘whole-of-government approach’ is needed to tackle the causes of ill health, increase economic activity and reduce NHS demand, a new report from the NHS Confederation and Boston Consulting Group claims. According to the report, “Improving our Nation’s Health: A Whole-of-Government Approach to Tackling the Causes of Long-Term Sickness and Economic Inactivity”, reintegrating between half and three-quarters of people who have dropped out of the workforce for reasons of ill health since 2020 could deliver an estimated £109-177 billion boost to the UK’s GDP (2-3 per cent in 2029) and unlock £35-57 billion in fiscal revenue over the next five years. (more…)

Shared Parental Leave (still) failing to deliver for working dads

Shared Parental Leave (still) failing to deliver for working dads

New research suggests that Shared Parental Leave (SPL) has failed to encourage greater take-up or longer leave by fathers, prompting calls for policy reformNew research suggests that Shared Parental Leave (SPL) has failed to encourage greater take-up or longer leave by fathers, prompting calls for policy reform. Introduced in April 2015, SPL was designed to let parents share the load of looking after their children, giving fathers a greater role at home and encouraging mothers to get back to work sooner. But new research by economists from the Economics Department and Institute for Policy Research (IPR) at the University of Bath and Cardiff University shows that the policy has fallen flat. Workplace Insight has been tracking the bumpy passage of the legislation over the past nine years. You can see our coverage here. (more…)

Millions of parents face work struggles due to children’s mental health challenges

Millions of parents face work struggles due to children’s mental health challenges

Millions of parents across the UK are finding it increasingly difficult to balance work responsibilities with the demands of caring for children who suffer from mental health issuesMillions of parents across the UK are finding it increasingly difficult to balance work responsibilities with the demands of caring for children who suffer from mental health issues, according to a new poll. In the UK, approximately 2.5 million children are grappling with mental health issues, a statistic that has significant repercussions for their families. The study of 652 parents commissioned by the charity Parenting Mental Health offers a detailed look into how these challenges affect the lives of parents. (more…)

Vast majority people on zero hours contracts don’t want to be on zero hours contracts

Vast majority people on zero hours contracts don’t want to be on zero hours contracts

A new poll makes the perhaps obvious point that a significant majority of workers on zero-hours contracts prefer stable, regular working hours.A new poll makes the perhaps obvious point that a significant majority of workers on zero-hours contracts prefer stable, regular working hours. Commissioned by the TUC, the survey found that 84 percent of zero-hours contract workers would prefer consistent work schedules, while only 14 percent are content with their current arrangements. The poll also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by these workers due to underemployment. Seventy-five percent reported not receiving enough hours to cover their living expenses. Despite this, more than half (58 percent) of requests for additional hours were turned down by employers. (more…)

The best leaders invite people to challenge them … and don’t punish them when they do

The best leaders invite people to challenge them … and don’t punish them when they do

Leaders should foster a culture of positive, constructive challenge, which can help mitigate risks and improve decision makingLeaders should foster a culture of positive, constructive challenge, which can help mitigate risks and improve decision making, according to experts at Imperial College Business School. In a new white paper, researchers from Imperial’s Centre for Responsible Leadership analysed the strategies that leaders can implement to successfully elicit challenge from their teams. The paper contains key lessons and evidence-based recommendations for leaders to encourage challenge, that can be applied to a wide range of organisations. (more…)

UK commercial property market shows signs of recovery, but not for offices

UK commercial property market shows signs of recovery, but not for offices

The United Kingdom's commercial property market is showing signs of a quicker recovery than the rest of Europe, following a challenging two-year period marked by high interest rates and the ongoing re-evaluation of the role officesThe United Kingdom’s commercial property market is showing signs of a quicker recovery than the rest of Europe, following a challenging two-year period marked by high interest rates and the ongoing re-evaluation of the role offices. According to the Green Street Index, the office market continues to be the most sluggish sector. The latest data suggests that both deal volumes and property values in the UK have seen an increase in the first half of 2024. This contrasts with Germany and France, where dealmaking has remained slow and price gains have been more modest. (more…)

European banks are over-valuing commercial property, ECB report suggests

European banks are over-valuing commercial property, ECB report suggests

 

An analysis by the European Central Bank (ECB) has raised concerns that several of the Euro zone's leading banks may be inflating the value of commercial propertyAn analysis by the European Central Bank (ECB) has raised concerns that several of the Euro zone’s leading banks may be inflating the value of commercial property, potentially obscuring the true state of their loan portfolios in a sector that is facing significant challenges. The analysis suggests that some banks are failing to properly account for the steep downturn in the commercial property market, which has been severely impacted by higher borrowing costs and weakened demand as businesses adjust to the post-pandemic economic landscape. (more…)

Technology failures are a major headache for small businesses

Technology failures are a major headache for small businesses

A new poll  from TalkTalk Business claims to identify the significant impact technology failures have on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.A new poll  from TalkTalk Business claims to identify the significant impact technology failures have on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. According to the survey, nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of these businesses have experienced system glitches within the past year. These technical issues are proving costly for many SMEs, with 17 percent reporting that such problems have cost their business between £500 and £999 over the last 12 months. More alarmingly, 12 percent of SMEs have faced losses ranging from £2,000 to £3,999, while 7 percent have incurred staggering costs between £8,000 and £9,999 due to technology-related failures. (more…)

Capital One Office upgrades classic Zumtobel luminaire

Capital One Office upgrades classic Zumtobel luminaire

Capital One were still happy with the look and feel of their classic TECTON lighting system, but in search of improved efficiency, once again turned to Zumtobel for a fresh solutionTwenty years on financial services giant Capital One were still happy with the look and feel of their classic TECTON lighting system, but in search of improved efficiency, once again turned to Zumtobel for a fresh solution. Trent House, Nottingham, is financial services’ giant Capital One’s European HQ. It recently underwent a major remodelling project to create a stimulating and responsive working environment. In the dynamic landscape of corporate transformations, Capital One took a strategic leap to refurbish its 1st and 2nd floors, embarking on a journey towards modernisation and efficiency. Partnering with Zumtobel, a trusted name in lighting solutions, the project aimed to breathe new life into its 20-year-old Zumtobel TECTON System. (more…)