Search Results for: benefits

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 will testify to the reinvention of the office design sector

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 will testify to the reinvention of the office design sector

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 is not just a showcase of products – it’s a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the power of design to shape a better world.The weather over the last few weeks has been unseasonably pleasant in the UK. Everybody involved in Clerkenwell Design Week will be hoping that continues. It’s a must-see event whatever the weather but there’s no doubt that last year’s show wasn’t helped by the downfall of rain on at least one day.  As the currently bone-dry streets of Clerkenwell prepare to welcome thousands of design enthusiasts, architects, makers and curious minds from across the globe, Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 promises to be one of the best yet. (more…)

Meh. Generative AI in the workplace is delivering modest returns that don’t match the hype

Meh. Generative AI in the workplace is delivering modest returns that don’t match the hype

the use of generative AI chatbots has so far delivered only modest gains in productivity and almost no increase in pay or reductions in working hours for employeesA new study by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research has cast doubt on the immediate transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace, finding that the use of generative AI chatbots has so far delivered only modest gains in productivity and almost no increase in pay or reductions in working hours for employees. The working paper [restricted access], authored by economists Anders Humlum and Emilie Vestergaard, used detailed Danish employment data to assess the real-world effects of AI adoption across 7,000 workplaces and 25,000 workers, focusing on white-collar roles most susceptible to automation—such as accountants, IT support staff, journalists, HR professionals, and software developers. (more…)

Not waving but drowning. People feel optimistic about the use of AI in the workplace … and swamped by it

Not waving but drowning. People feel optimistic about the use of AI in the workplace … and swamped by it

As the use of AI in the workplace continues to rise, new research from Henley Business School reveals that while optimism about AI’s potential is on the rise, so is the feeling of being overwhelmed by its rapid developmenAs the use of AI in the workplace continues to rise, new research from Henley Business School reveals that while optimism about AI’s potential is on the rise, so is the feeling of being overwhelmed by its rapid development. A poll of 4,640 adults across nearly 30 major sectors, commissioned by The World of Work Institute at Henley Business School, reveals that over half (56 percent) of full-time professionals feel optimistic about AI advancements, yet 61 percent admit they are overwhelmed by the pace of change. (more…)

Mayors in the North of England launch ‘The Great North’ to drive economic growth and investment

Mayors in the North of England launch ‘The Great North’ to drive economic growth and investment

A new partnership known as The Great North has been launched by mayors in the North of England to drive economic growth and investmentA new cross-regional partnership known as The Great North has been launched by the metropolitan mayors in the North of England, aiming to unlock economic growth, create jobs, and attract investment across the region. The initiative was unveiled at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, and marks what its founders call a new era of collaboration and locally driven prosperity. Chaired by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and supported by the UK Government, the body brings together northern leaders to focus on shared priorities such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, and the creative industries. The initiative has been endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who described it as central to the government’s ambition to shift power from Whitehall into the hands of local communities. (more…)

Little evidence that hybrid working has encouraged high skilled people to relocate to cheaper regions

Little evidence that hybrid working has encouraged high skilled people to relocate to cheaper regions

the shift towards remote and hybrid working has not significantly changed where people live, nor has it helped to distribute talent more evenly across the countryA new report and series of policy briefings by a team of UK researchers suggest that the shift towards remote and hybrid working has not significantly changed where people live, nor has it helped to distribute talent more evenly across the country. Led by Professor Jackie Wahba OBE from the University of Southampton and Dr David McCollum from the University of St Andrews, the research was conducted by the ESRC Centre for Population Change and Connecting Generations, in collaboration with academics from the University of Birmingham, De Montfort University, and the University of the Arts London. The findings show that most remote workers continue to follow hybrid working patterns, splitting their time between home and the office while staying within commuting distance of major employment centres. This trend limits the potential to reduce regional inequalities or drive economic growth outside of London and the South East.

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Pace from Profim. Where design meets human-centred innovation

Pace from Profim. Where design meets human-centred innovation

Profim proudly unveils Pace, an innovative task chair that redefines comfortable, sustainable seating for the modern workplace. Created by Germany's ITO Design, the studio behind Profim's bestselling Xenon and AccisPro lines, and engineered in Poland, Pace seamlessly blends German design precision with Polish manufacturing excellence. The chair's clean, contemporary silhouette adapts effortlessly to diverse work environments.Profim proudly unveils Pace, an innovative task chair that redefines comfortable, sustainable seating for the modern workplace. Created by Germany’s ITO Design, the studio behind Profim’s bestselling Xenon and AccisPro lines, and engineered in Poland, Pace seamlessly blends German design precision with Polish manufacturing excellence. The chair’s clean, contemporary silhouette adapts effortlessly to diverse work environments. Its Synchro SFL MAX mechanism enables smooth, natural movement, providing subtle support for different seating positions without compromising visual elegance. With multiple backrest, lumbar support, and armrest options, Pace enhances comfort while helping to reduce workplace health concerns, making it ideal for settings ranging from startups to corporate offices. (more…)

What kind of change leader do you want to be?

What kind of change leader do you want to be?

Taking the stage, owning the message, and driving the agenda were seen as hallmarks of a strong change leader. But the evolving needs of organisations, teams, and individuals are reshaping this definition.Change is inevitable. Whether in business, communities, or our personal lives, change is a constant—and in every instance, someone is leading it. Leadership during change is not limited to formal positions or job titles. Every day, in countless ways, individuals step into roles that influence, guide, and support others through transition. The question is: what kind of change leader do you want to be? In many traditional models of leadership, success has been closely associated with visibility, authority, and control. Taking the stage, owning the message, and driving the agenda were seen as hallmarks of strong leadership. But the evolving needs of organisations, teams, and individuals are reshaping this definition. (more…)

People’s expectations of work have changed forever (and they think office work should pay better than remote work)

People’s expectations of work have changed forever (and they think office work should pay better than remote work)

The Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote work have had a “radical impact” on the global workforce, particularly among younger employeesThe Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote work have had a “radical impact” on the global workforce, particularly among younger employees who began their careers during this unprecedented period, according to new research published by BSI in collaboration with the think tank ResPublica. The study, part of BSI’s Evolving Together series, claims to provide a comprehensive picture of a workforce cohort shaped by the pandemic and explores how these formative experiences continue to influence their expectations and behaviours. Drawing on a global survey of 4,700 individuals who entered the workforce during or since the pandemic, as well as focus groups and international literature reviews, the research sets out to paint a nuanced portrait of the so-called “hybrid generation”. (more…)

Traditional incentives don’t encourage people back to the office. Here’s what might

Traditional incentives don’t encourage people back to the office. Here’s what might

A new report from Colliers claims to highlight the major challenge businesses experience in attracting people back to the office when attendance remains stubbornly lowA new report from Colliers claims to highlight the major challenges businesses experience in attracting people back to the office when attendance remains stubbornly low. With average peak occupancy below 40 percent across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and North America, and workplaces lacking ‘vibrancy’ 83 percent of the time, many organisations are struggling to foster collaboration and engagement. (more…)

Hybrid working improves self-reported wellbeing and productivity

Hybrid working improves self-reported wellbeing and productivity

Hybrid working improves employee health and wellbeing, reducing stress, and boosting productivity, according to a new study by flexible office provider International Workplace Group.Hybrid working improves employee health and wellbeing, reduces stress, and boosts productivity, according to a new study by flexible office provider International Workplace Group. The research, which surveyed more than 2,000 hybrid workers, found that 34 percent reported taking fewer sick days since gaining flexibility over how and where they work. The findings suggest that hybrid work enables better overall health management. More than seven in ten respondents (71 percent) said flexible arrangements allow them to prioritise preventative healthcare, such as regular screenings and check-ups, while 69 percent said they can better manage existing health conditions. The reduction in stress-related illnesses was also significant, with 68 percent of hybrid workers reporting fewer symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and tension-related pain. (more…)

Only Filipinos spend less time each week in an office than British workers

Only Filipinos spend less time each week in an office than British workers

British workers spend less time in the office than almost any other nation, with only  Filipinos averaging fewer days at their deskBritish workers spend less time in the office than almost any other nation, with only employees in the Philippines averaging fewer days at their desks, according to a new poll. The global survey conducted by property consultancy JLL suggests that UK workers are in the office for just two days a week on average, while their preference is for even fewer—just 1.5 days per week. The report claims that its findings highlight the ongoing reluctance among British employees to return to pre-pandemic office routines, despite increasing pressure from employers. By contrast, workers in Kuwait spend the most time in the office, averaging 4.2 days per week, followed closely by China at 4.1 days. Greece was the only country in the study where employee preferences aligned with employer expectations, with workers spending 3.5 days per week in the office. (more…)

The change we need: hearing women and embracing curiosity in the workplace

The change we need: hearing women and embracing curiosity in the workplace

The conversation around women in the workplace is one of both logic and emotion, writes Jennifer Bryan.The conversation around women in the workplace is one of both logic and emotion. Objectivity is often the aim, but personal experiences—whether overt or subtle—shape the way we engage with this issue. The truth is, for much of history, the world was built by men, for men. While progress has been made, deeply ingrained structures and biases remain, making gender equality in professional spaces more challenging than it appears on the surface. Even those who actively strive for fairness and inclusion are not immune to falling into unintentional biases. We all have blind spots. Whether due to upbringing, societal conditioning, or subconscious norms, even the most well-intentioned individuals—men and women alike—sometimes perpetuate behaviours that contribute to exclusion rather than inclusion. Recognizing this is the first step toward meaningful change. (more…)