Search Results for: benefits

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…)

Beyond compliance: how the EU Accessibility Act will redefine workplace inclusion

Beyond compliance: how the EU Accessibility Act will redefine workplace inclusion

he European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into effect on 28 June 2025. Since that date, any new product or service entering the EU market must meet common accessibility requirements. It’s a significant step toward ensuring that Europe’s 87 million people living with disabilities can use everyday products and services fully and confidently and will have a profound effect on workplace inclusion.The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into effect on 28 June 2025. Since that date, any new product or service entering the EU market must meet common accessibility requirements. It’s a significant step toward ensuring that Europe’s 87 million people living with disabilities can use everyday products and services fully and confidently and will have a profound effect on workplace inclusion. The Act is designed to support both individuals and businesses. Until now, accessibility laws have varied widely across member states, creating unnecessary complexity for organisations and uneven experiences for people with disabilities. (more…)

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…)

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…)

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…)

Call for accessible design for laboratories to make sure organisations don’t miss out on talent

Call for accessible design for laboratories to make sure organisations don’t miss out on talent

The Royal Society of Chemistry has called for urgent changes to the accessible design and culture of laboratory spaces after a new report revealed widespread barriers facing disabled researchers.The Royal Society of Chemistry has called for urgent changes to the design and culture of laboratory spaces after a new report revealed widespread barriers facing disabled researchers. The organisation warns that the chemical sciences could lose out on major discoveries unless universities, industry and policymakers act to create more inclusive environments. The Disability-Inclusive Laboratories in the Chemical Sciences report draws on contributions from more than 400 chemists and sets out a detailed picture of the physical, cultural and organisational obstacles that shape disabled scientists’ careers. According to the findings, almost a third of disabled chemists have experienced bullying or discrimination linked to disability, while more than a quarter say they do not feel a sense of belonging at work. Three-quarters report a lack of awareness among colleagues about their support needs. (more…)

Health Secretary orders review into acceleration in mental health diagnoses

Health Secretary orders review into acceleration in mental health diagnoses

The UK government has commissioned an independent review into the rise in mental health and neurodevelopmental diagnoses, reflecting growing concern about the number of people leaving the workforce because of conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.The UK government has commissioned an independent review into the rise in mental health and neurodevelopmental diagnoses, reflecting growing concern about the number of people leaving the workforce because of conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The announcement signals a renewed focus on welfare spending and the wider economic impact of long-term sickness, with ministers arguing that too many people are becoming detached from work for reasons that may not always require formal medical intervention. (more…)

Why smarter scheduling is becoming workers’ favourite benefit

Why smarter scheduling is becoming workers’ favourite benefit

In late 2023, The Conference Board asked more than 1,500 US employees which non?salary benefits matter most. 65 percent put workplace flexibility at the top of the list, above bonuses, paid time off, retirement plans and even healthcare.  In 2025, Gallup found that among over 10,000 US workers, 59 percent rated “greater work–life balance and better personal wellbeing” as a very important reason for taking a new job, more than any other factor for the third year running. (more…)

Shift to a low carbon economy could create millions of jobs but risks widening global divides

Shift to a low carbon economy could create millions of jobs but risks widening global divides

The shift to a low carbon economy is expected to reshape labour markets across the world over the next five years, with almost 14.4 million jobs set to be affected by 2030The shift to a low carbon economy is expected to reshape labour markets across the world over the next five years, with almost 14.4 million jobs set to be affected by 2030, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum. The research suggests that while 2.4 million roles will be phased out, the emergence of new industries and technologies will generate around 12 million new positions, resulting in a net gain of 9.6 million jobs. Yet the report warns that the scale of disruption, combined with persistent economic and geopolitical pressures, could deepen existing inequalities both within and between countries. (more…)

Most people think work has a positive effect on their overall wellbeing

Most people think work has a positive effect on their overall wellbeing

A large majority of workers believe that being in employment has a positive effect on their health and wellbeing, according to a new pollA large majority of workers believe that work has an overall positive effect on their health and wellbeing, according to a new poll from Cirencester Friendly. The survey, carried out by Opinium Research in August among 2,420 working adults, found that seven in ten respondents felt that work benefits their health, with just over a third strongly agreeing. The findings suggest a broadly consistent view across generations and genders. Almost seven in ten Gen Z workers said work has a positive impact on their health, a figure only slightly lower than the three quarters of Baby Boomers who expressed the same view. Women were marginally more likely than men to agree, although the difference was slight. (more…)