Search Results for: engagement

Lack of space continues to  hold back a ‘return to office’

Lack of space continues to hold back a ‘return to office’

Workers are resisting the so-called return to office due to a lack of desk space, following widespread reductions by companies in the wake of CovidWorkers are resisting the so-called return to office due to a lack of desk space, following widespread reductions by companies in the wake of Covid. A fifth of workers cited a shortage of desks and facilities among their top three reasons for avoiding the office, according to a survey by real estate consultancy Remit Consulting. The firm claims that businesses may have scaled back desk numbers too aggressively after the pandemic spurred a rise in home working. (more…)

Workspace Design Show reveals first names for must-visit talks programme

Workspace Design Show reveals first names for must-visit talks programme

Workspace Design Show is delighted to reveal the first raft of names who will make up its speaker programme for the upcoming edition in February 2025Now a firm fixture on the design event calendar, Workspace Design Show has revealed the first raft of names who will make up its speaker programme for the upcoming edition in February 2025. Once again bringing the commercial interior design industry’s most inspiring and creative leaders together, the Workspace Design Talks programme features senior figures from architecture and design such as Alessandro Ranaldi, Partner, Head of Workplace Consultancy, Foster + Partners; Helen Berresford, Head of ID:SR at Sheppard Robson and Adrienne Lau, Senior Associate, Heatherwick Studio, Cristiano Testi, Principal Director, tp bennett, and Angela Bardino, Senior Associate Director – Interiors, Jacobs. (more…)

iON Ambulance Care selects Boostworks to supercharge employee perks and happiness

iON Ambulance Care selects Boostworks to supercharge employee perks and happiness

Boostworks, a leading provider of employee reward and recognition, benefits delivery and wellbeing solutions, today announced that it has been selected as the benefits provider for iON Ambulance CareBoostworks, a leading provider of employee reward and recognition, benefits delivery and wellbeing solutions, today announced that it has been selected as the benefits provider for iON Ambulance Care, trading as Tricorder Care. With over 180 dedicated professionals working across its five sites, iON ‘s goal is to significantly enhance employee engagement and retention by implementing a comprehensive benefits platform tailored to the unique needs of its frontline workforce. (more…)

Emotion tracking tech in the workplace puts people’s wellbeing at risk

Emotion tracking tech in the workplace puts people’s wellbeing at risk

A new report from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) explores the increasing use of affective computing in the workplace.A new report from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) explores the increasing use of affective computing in the workplace. Affective computing is a branch of artificial intelligence which focuses on recognising and responding to human emotions through technologies like biometric sensors, emotion-tracking software, and wearable devices. Once primarily used in consumer products, these systems are now finding applications in the workplace, often marketed as tools to enhance safety, productivity, and employee wellbeing. The use of AI-powered technologies that monitor and interpret employees’ emotions and behaviours is known as Algorithmic Affect Management (AAM) and is rapidly transforming the landscape of employment, raising significant questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of work, according to the report. (more…)

Measuring and rewarding what people do at work? It’s a rat trap, baby, and you’ve been caught

Measuring and rewarding what people do at work? It’s a rat trap, baby, and you’ve been caught

 

Life imitates art. Scientists have discovered that lab mice may be conducting their own experiments on us. A paper published in the journal Current Biology speculates that mice seem to be testing their testers. They do this by deviating from simple behaviours such as responding to rewards to work out what might happen. “These mice have a richer internal life than we probably give them credit for,” explained Kishore Kuchibhotla, senior study author and an assistant professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. “They are not just stimulus response machines. They may have things like strategies.” (more…)

Search begins for Britain’s best office dog

Search begins for Britain’s best office dog

The aim of the competition to find Britain's best office dog is to highlight the important role that dogs play in workplace wellbeingBath-based workplace design firm  Interaction is inviting dog owners across the UK to nominate their canine colleagues and share a photo of their pets at work. The aim of the competition to find Britain’s best office dog is to highlight the important role that dogs play in workplace wellbeing. In the UK, households bought 3.2 million pets during lockdown – that’s a lot of new dogs for employees to consider. By supporting dog-friendly policies, the firm believes businesses can encourage these employees back into the office, whilst also reducing stress and improving engagement. (more…)

Working life in 2024 is defined by stress, poor management and loneliness

Working life in 2024 is defined by stress, poor management and loneliness

Despite living in an era of progress, people feel that stress, disengagement, and declining mental health are prominent in daily working lifeThe 2024 State of the Global Workplace report by Gallup sets out to provide a comprehensive analysis of employee experiences worldwide, revealing a large number of people who feel they are under increasing strain. Despite living in an era of remarkable technological and economic advancements, workers face significant challenges, with stress, disengagement, and declining mental health prominent in people’s daily working life. The report suggests that 41 percent of employees experience high levels of daily stress, with poor management practices being a major contributing factor. One in five workers report daily loneliness, an issue particularly pronounced among remote employees. (more…)

These are very early days in our relationship with Generative AI

These are very early days in our relationship with Generative AI

The future of Generative AI in the workplace isn’t about replacing humans – it’s about enhancing what we do best.The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 marked a milestone moment for artificial intelligence, bringing what was once a niche technology firmly into the mainstream. Suddenly, AI and especially Generative AI, wasn’t just the prerogative of data scientists and tech developers. It was a feature in everyday conversations, a presence in business strategies, and a catalyst for innovation across industries. In the months since, platforms like Gemini and Perplexity have emerged, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve while expanding its role in the workplace. (more…)

CIPD welcomes government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy

CIPD welcomes government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has expressed support for the UK Government's 'Get Britain Working' initiative, which aims to tackle economic inactivityThe Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has expressed support for the UK Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ initiative, which aims to tackle economic inactivity and promote greater inclusion within the workforce. However, the CIPD has urged the government to take more ambitious steps to elevate the status of apprenticeships and strengthen partnerships between employers and Jobcentres. (more…)

The challenge for the workplace in 2025: transformation when everybody is already tired of change

The challenge for the workplace in 2025: transformation when everybody is already tired of change

HR leaders say they are navigating workplace transformation at a time when most people say they are already worn out by changeIn 2025, human resource leaders say they will be focusing on navigating the complexities of workplace transformation, at a time when most people say they are already worn out by change. This is one of the key findings from the Gartner HR Priorities Survey [registration] of over 1,400 HR leaders from 60 countries and a range of industries. The report highlights five pivotal areas—leader and manager development, organisational culture, strategic workforce planning, change management, and HR technology—as central to driving change in an evolving business landscape. (more…)

Life science interiors: here’s how to create a petri dish for scientific breakthroughs

Life science interiors: here’s how to create a petri dish for scientific breakthroughs

The design of life science interiors is crucial for fostering scientific breakthroughs by balancing precision, functionality, and collaboration. Life science research has grown exponentially in recent years, driving an increasing demand for specialised laboratory spaces. These facilities – including wet labs, dry labs, and their supporting infrastructure – all serve a unique purpose. Like a Petri dish providing the perfect environment for scientific experiments, life science interiors need to balance precision with functionality. When designed well, they create the ideal conditions for innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. (more…)

University staff love to connect on campus, but also value time working from home

University staff love to connect on campus, but also value time working from home

A new survey reveals distinct trends in campus work culture and the growing preference for in-person interactions among academic staff, coupled with a desire to continue working from home when needed.A new report from Hassell, the 2024 Education Futures Survey, explores how hybrid working is reshaping the needs and expectations of Australian university staff. Based on responses from 300 university employees and a benchmark group of 500 office workers, the survey reveals distinct trends in campus work culture and the growing preference for in-person interactions among academic staff, coupled with a desire to continue working from home when needed. (more…)