Search Results for: Gen Z

Ninth Workplace Design Conference in Ljubljana to explore positive workplace change

Ninth Workplace Design Conference in Ljubljana to explore positive workplace change

The ninth annual Workplace Design Conference has been confirmed for Thursday, 8 October 2026, with organisers announcing that WDC26 will take place at Ljubljana Castle, one of Slovenia’s most recognisable cultural landmarks. Hosted in the professionally equipped Hribar Hall, high above Ljubljana’s Old Town, the conference will once again bring together an international audience of workplace strategists, business leaders, designers, consultants and solution providers to explore how the design of work environments can support performance, productivity and positive organisational change. (more…)

The role of local businesses in promoting mental health and wellbeing

The role of local businesses in promoting mental health and wellbeing

Once seen as an individual responsibility, mental health is now recognised as a shared, community wide issue.Across the UK and over recent years, there has a change in how the general public views mental health and wellbeing. Once seen as an individual responsibility, mental health is now recognised as a shared, community wide issue. Our mental health is both our individual and collective responsibility and requires effort from family members, workplaces and organisations. For many, the workplace is where they spend most of their time. For others, local cafés, gyms, hairdressers, or local shops are their daily social spaces. These are the places that people connect, relax, and interact with other people. It’s in these spaces that local businesses have a unique power to influence how people think and feel as well as their mental health. (more…)

Life at the coalface: How the agile workplace first appeared in the mid 20th Century

Life at the coalface: How the agile workplace first appeared in the mid 20th Century

agile working began in the coal fields of NottinghamshireThe idea of diffusion of innovation has become so embedded in our culture, and most recently so associated with the adoption of new technology, that we might assume it happens in predictable ways. The steps between innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards seem intuitive and certain even when their peaks might be unsure. And yet history teaches us that sometimes new ideas can take years or even decades to take hold, even when they are potentially world-changing and relevant for the era in which they were formulated. (more…)

Global survey points to ongoing yearning for flexible work

Global survey points to ongoing yearning for flexible work

flexible work continuing to show a strong association with how positively people experience their jobEmployee engagement levels remained broadly stable in 2025, according to a new global report from workplace analytics firm WorkL, with flexible work continuing to show a strong association with how positively people experience their job. The Global Workplace Report 2025 is based on survey data from more than 500,000 employees across over 100 countries. It records an average global engagement score of 75 percent, suggesting little overall movement compared with recent years, despite ongoing economic and labour market pressures.

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UK employers are missing out on AI productivity gains because of gaps in talent strategy

UK employers are missing out on AI productivity gains because of gaps in talent strategy

A new survey from EY suggests that many UK organisations are failing to realise the full productivity benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) because their talent strategies are not keeping paceA new survey from EY suggests that many UK organisations are failing to realise the full productivity benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) because their talent strategies are not keeping pace with technology adoption. The EY 2025 Work Reimagined Survey, based on responses from 800 UK employees and 180 employers, found that while the use of generative AI at work is now widespread, it is rarely being used in ways that fundamentally change how people work. More than four in five employees said they use GenAI tools, but this is largely limited to routine activities such as searching for information or summarising content. (more…)

Why writing by hand still matters for learning and thinking

Why writing by hand still matters for learning and thinking

The steady shift from pens and pencils to keyboards has led many schools to play down writing by hand and other fine motor activities. But a major new review of research suggests that may be a mistakeThe steady shift from pens and pencils to keyboards has led many schools to play down writing by hand and other fine motor activities. But a major new review of research suggests that may be a mistake. The study, published in Educational Research Review, brings together evidence from 118 previous studies involving almost 80,000 children and adolescents. Taken together, it shows a clear and consistent link between children’s fine motor skills and how well they perform at school, across reading, writing, mathematics and broader cognitive measures. In other words, writing may be thinking in both a physical and cognitive sense. (more…)

Neuroinclusive workspace design – addressing the current industry shortfalls

Neuroinclusive workspace design – addressing the current industry shortfalls

There is one area which is emerging as the next critical evolution in workplace strategy: neuroinclusive workplace designIn recent years, there have been significant developments in making workplaces more inclusive and accessible for a diverse range of individuals. However, there is one area which is emerging as the next critical evolution in workplace strategy: neuroinclusive workplace design. Neurodivergent employees often bring unique strengths in areas like innovative problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional pattern recognition, but many workplaces are still failing to adequately accommodate these individuals. (more…)

BCO calls for paradigm shift as regional cities fall behind on sustainable offices

BCO calls for paradigm shift as regional cities fall behind on sustainable offices

A widening gap in the availability of highly sustainable offices across the UK is putting the economic prospects of smaller regional cities at risk and could undermine national net-zero goalsA widening gap in the availability of highly sustainable offices across the UK is putting the economic prospects of smaller regional cities at risk and could undermine national net-zero goals, according to new research from the British Council for Offices. The report, Viability and Sustainability in the Regions, warns that a large share of office space outside major centres may become economically obsolete if current trends continue. It suggests this could lead to what it describes as “sustainability gentrification”, with organisations unable to find space that meets their ESG commitments in cities such as Exeter, Newcastle and Sheffield. (more…)

UK directors say people must remain central to work as AI adoption accelerates

UK directors say people must remain central to work as AI adoption accelerates

New findings from monday.com suggest UK business leaders expect artificial intelligence (AI) to expand rather than shrink their workforces in the year ahead.New findings from monday.com suggest UK business leaders expect artificial intelligence to expand rather than shrink their workforces in the year ahead. The company’s latest World of Work report [registration], based on feedback from directors in the UK and US, shows that most UK leaders do not foresee headcount reductions in 2026, with almost a third expecting to hire more as AI becomes further embedded in daily operations. (more…)

Student AI use doubles while confidence amongst university educators slips

Student AI use doubles while confidence amongst university educators slips

New research suggests a widening gap between how UK university students and academic staff view the growing influence of artificial intelligence in higher education. AINew research suggests a widening gap between how UK university students and academic staff view the growing influence of artificial intelligence in higher education. The annual Coursera study reports a sharp rise in student use and approval of AI tools, contrasted with declining confidence among educators. The findings indicate that students now use AI for almost half of their study activities, up from a quarter last year. They also report strong benefits: four in five say their grades have improved since adopting the technology, and most believe it is enhancing the overall quality of higher education. Confidence has risen markedly since 2024, with 85 percent now saying the technology has a positive impact, compared with 67 percent a year ago. (more…)

Solar power plants: from panels to the grid

Solar power plants: from panels to the grid

More and more people are turning to solar energy as a reliable and sustainable electricity source. Solar power technology is improving, and equipment costs are decreasing every year.More and more people are turning to solar energy as a reliable and sustainable electricity source. Solar power technology is improving, and equipment costs are decreasing every year. This allows more countries and companies to transition to green sources. DTEK Group is the largest private investor in the country’s energy sector, with investments of over €12 billion since 2005 and 55,000 employees. The company harnesses wind, sun, and thermal resources to generate electricity. Thanks to its hard work and innovation, DTEK Group is helping the Ukraine renewable energy scene grow and move towards cleaner, greener power. (more…)

Five strategies to enhance HR efficiency in modern workplaces

Five strategies to enhance HR efficiency in modern workplaces

HR departments are supposed to be the backbone of modern workplaces, but many are struggling to keep up. You’ve probably seen it firsthand: talented HR teams getting bogged down in administrative tasks when they should be driving real organizational change. The problem isn’t lack of effort. It’s that most HR departments are still operating like it’s 2010. Today’s business world moves fast, and your HR processes need to match that pace. (more…)