Search Results for: Gen Z

A better focus on workplace wellbeing could add around £1 billion to UK economy, report claims

A better focus on workplace wellbeing could add around £1 billion to UK economy, report claims

The commission's report on workplace wellbeing argues that a proactive and preventive approach to employee health could prevent at least 100,000 people from exiting the workforce over the next five years, potentially saving the government over £1 billion during this period.Enhancing support for individuals with health conditions to remain in employment could lead to significant economic benefits for the United Kingdom, according to a new report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives. The commission’s report on workplace wellbeing argues that a proactive and preventive approach to employee health could prevent at least 100,000 people from exiting the workforce over the next five years, potentially saving the government over £1 billion during this period. (more…)

A third of employers are responding to the Employment Rights Bill by cutting jobs

A third of employers are responding to the Employment Rights Bill by cutting jobs

four in five firms anticipate increased employment costs as a result of the Employment Rights Bill's proposed measures, and nearly a third are planning on reducing headcount as a result.A survey of more than 2,000 employers conducted by the CIPD reveals that nearly four in five anticipate increased employment costs as a result of the Employment Rights Bill’s proposed measures, and nearly a third are planning on reducing headcount as a result. The measures include reforms to Statutory Sick Pay, changes to unfair dismissal rules, and the introduction of guaranteed hours for zero-hours contract workers. Among those expecting costs to rise, 30 percent foresee reducing their workforce through redundancies or cutting back on recruitment, while 23 percent plan to introduce or expand automation to offset expenses. Other strategies being considered include reducing training budgets (22 percent), cutting staff working hours (17 percent), or increasing reliance on temporary workers (17 percent). (more…)

Sell out Material Choices event provides a forum for eco learning

Sell out Material Choices event provides a forum for eco learning

A recent seminar focussed on examining some of the established and widely used materials in the furniture and furnishing sector and considerations for greater sustainability.The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, hosted the next in a series of sustainability events, ‘Material Choices for more Sustainable Products’, on the 4th of March 2025 at Furniture Makers Hall. The seminar focussed on examining some of the established and widely used materials in the furniture and furnishing sector and considerations for greater sustainability. (more…)

Outdated offices are sabotaging ‘return to office’ policies

Outdated offices are sabotaging ‘return to office’ policies

The debate over whether to return to the office or sustain a remote team has become one of the most significant workplace discussions in recent yearsThe debate over whether to return to office work or sustain a remote team has become one of the most significant workplace discussions in recent years. Companies are struggling to balance remote and in-office work, yet strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates are failing to deliver the intended results. While many assume the COVID-19 pandemic was the advent of hybrid work models, in reality, many businesses had already begun adopting flexible work arrangements before the pandemic accelerated the shift to remote working. (more…)

Employment law five years after COVID: what’s changed?

Employment law five years after COVID: what’s changed?

As we approach five years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it’s a good opportunity to look back on the impact it had on the UK workplace and employment lawAs we approach five years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it’s a good opportunity to look back on the impact it had on the UK workplace and employment law. The pandemic was a seismic event for the workplace, but did it fundamentally change employment law in the UK? While COVID brought emergency measures such as furlough, the legal framework underpinning employment has remained largely intact. What has shifted, however, is the prominence of certain legal rights and protections for the employee —especially around health and safety, flexible working. (more…)

An AI divide risks growth for many organisations, new Microsoft research claims 

An AI divide risks growth for many organisations, new Microsoft research claims 

An opportunity to boost the UK’s economy and improve public services could be at risk if too many organisations don't act on AIAn opportunity to boost the UK’s economy and improve its public services in ‘the coming age of agentic AI’ could be at risk if too many organisations remain ‘stuck in neutral’ on artificial intelligence, ?according to?new research?commissioned by Microsoft. The study, led by Dr Chris Brauer at Goldsmiths, University of London, claims that the highest performing businesses and most productive public sector organisations have a clear strategy in place and are preparing for the next wave of the technology – which the report refers to as agentic AI.?1 (more…)

UK Government set to ditch ‘right to switch off’ and make concessions on other employment rights

UK Government set to ditch ‘right to switch off’ and make concessions on other employment rights

The government is set to abandon plans to introduce a legal right for employees to “switch off” outside working hoursThe government is set to abandon plans to introduce a legal right for employees to “switch off” outside working hours, in a move aimed at easing the burden of Labour’s employment reforms on businesses. The policy was a key element of Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to establish a “new deal for working people.” Although it was not included in the Employment Rights Bill currently passing through Parliament, ministers had previously committed to implementing a right to switch off in the future. (more…)

Young men and boys lagging behind female contemporaries in pay and other ways

Young men and boys lagging behind female contemporaries in pay and other ways

Young women are now consistently out-earning their male counterparts for the first time, according to a new report that warns of a growing crisis among young menYoung women are now consistently out-earning their male counterparts for the first time, according to a new report that warns of a growing crisis among young men. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank has published findings showing that women aged 16 to 24 in both white-collar and blue-collar jobs are earning nearly 10 percent more than men of the same age. The report, titled Lost Boys, highlights how young men are falling behind in education and employment, with growing feelings of isolation and lack of purpose. (more…)

Around 74,000 women a year are pushed out of their jobs when they become pregnant

Around 74,000 women a year are pushed out of their jobs when they become pregnant

New research from Pregnant Then Screwed, in partnership with Women In Data, claims there has been a sharp increase in the number of women who are pushed out of their job when pregnant, during or when returning from maternity leave.New research from Pregnant Then Screwed, in partnership with Women In Data, claims there has been a sharp increase in the number of women who are pushed out of their job when pregnant, during or when returning from maternity leave. Up to 74,000 women every year now lose their job for getting pregnant or taking maternity leave – an increase of 37 percent  from 54,000 in 2016. Pregnant Then Screwed surveyed 35,800 parents, then Women In Data extracted a nationally representative sample of 5,870 parents to create its State of the Nation report. The report found that 12.3 percent of women are sacked, constructively dismissed or made redundant whilst pregnant, on maternity leave or within a year of returning from maternity leave. If scaled up to the general population, this could mean as many as 74,000 women a year are forced to leave their job. (more…)

We may think we are pretty aware of the effects of AI. But posterity may draw different conclusions

We may think we are pretty aware of the effects of AI. But posterity may draw different conclusions

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world around us at breakneck speed, unlocking opportunities we could not have even imagined a few years ago. But with its potential comes an immense set of challenges. How we handle this transformation will define the future of our workplaces, economies, and societies. Recent events, including Trump’s revocation of Biden’s executive order addressing AI risks, Labour’s ambitious plans to integrate AI across the UK, and Facebook’s unsettling U-turn on content moderation, highlight the urgent need for businesses to take an ethical, informed, and responsible approach to AI adoption. (more…)

Being watched all the time, changes the way we see the world and other people

Being watched all the time, changes the way we see the world and other people

In an era where surveillance is an omnipresent part of daily life, researchers have discovered that being watched not only influences our behaviour but also alters fundamental aspects of human perceptioIn an era where surveillance is an omnipresent part of daily life, researchers have discovered that being watched not only influences our behaviour but also alters fundamental aspects of human perception. A new study published in Neuroscience of Consciousness has found that the mere awareness of being subject to surveillance enhances our ability to detect faces, even outside of conscious control. This breakthrough research sheds light on how surveillance impacts social cognition and has significant implications for public mental health and privacy debates. (more…)

Bigger and better than ever, Workspace Design Show London returns

Bigger and better than ever, Workspace Design Show London returns

In just a few days, the eagerly-awaited Workspace Design Show, the trade show that brings together the UK workplace interiors community, will open its doorsIt’s back. The Workspace Design Show London is bigger and better than ever, with over 5,000 workplace professionals, including architects, designers, developers, and end-user occupiers, joining together to explore the present and future of workspace design and management. In just a few days, the eagerly-awaited Workspace Design Show, the trade show that brings together the UK workplace interiors community, will open its doors. Held at London’s Business Design Centre, handily placed in the heart of Islington, from 26-27 February 2025, the event offers attendees the chance to explore the latest industry trends, see the latest products, and find inspiration in the thought-provoking talks programmes. (more…)