Search Results for: business

HR leaders don’t really get why people are worried about the changing workplace

HR leaders don’t really get why people are worried about the changing workplace

A quarter of UK employees have considered leaving their jobs because of the constant pace of change in the workplaceA quarter of UK employees have considered leaving their jobs because of the constant pace of change in the workplace, according to new research commissioned by Investors in People. The nationally representative survey, conducted by Censuswide, found that nearly 20 percent of workers feel worn down by the volume of organisational change. More than a third said they can cope but find it increasingly exhausting. The findings form part of Investors in People’s latest white paper, Finding the Frequency [registration], which explores how British organisations can manage change more effectively and build resilience among employees. (more…)

Government report warns of growing health-related economic inactivity

Government report warns of growing health-related economic inactivity

The Government has published its final Keep Britain Working report, warning that the United Kingdom faces a continuing rise in economic inactivity linked to ill health, disability and long-term sicknessThe Government has published its final Keep Britain Working report, warning that the United Kingdom faces a continuing rise in economic inactivity linked to ill health, disability and long-term sickness. The report, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business and Trade, sets out evidence that more people are leaving the workforce because of health conditions, reducing productivity and increasing costs for employers and the state. (more…)

The successful implementation of new ideas can come at a cost, says new research

The successful implementation of new ideas can come at a cost, says new research

New research from King’s Business School has suggested that too much success can be a problem, at least when it comes to the implementation of new ideas.New research from King’s Business School has suggested that too much success can be a problem, at least when it comes to the implementation of new ideas. The study, carried out with colleagues from University of Liverpool Management School, University of Hohenheim and Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and published in the journal Research Policy, suggests that employees who experience exceptionally high levels of success are less likely to see their next ideas implemented. (more…)

Workplace design that supports health, learning and growth

Workplace design that supports health, learning and growth

In 2025, workplace design looks to prioritise employee health, learning, and growth.In 2025, workplace design looks to prioritise employee health, learning, and growth. This article will investigate how contemporary environments enhance wellness, handle technology, and adapt to the fluctuation of work. You will learn the techniques businesses use to amplify productivity and participation. The approaches and fundamentals that construct dynamic work environments are the focus of this article. (more…)

UK regions receive additional £20 million to support science and technology growth

UK regions receive additional £20 million to support science and technology growth

Three UK regions will receive an additional £20 million each to support science and technology development as part of a government initiative to drive innovation outside London and the South EastThree UK regions will receive an additional £20 million each to support science and technology development as part of a government initiative to drive innovation outside London and the South East. The Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City regions will see their total funding rise to £50 million each through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. The announcement coincides with the first Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham, where government ministers, local leaders and business representatives are discussing ways to strengthen regional economies through research, innovation and private investment. The funding is intended to help local partnerships expand projects in areas such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and life sciences, translating research activity into commercial growth. (more…)

Connected Realities theme will explore the fusion of physical and digital workplaces at the 2026 Workspace Design Show

Connected Realities theme will explore the fusion of physical and digital workplaces at the 2026 Workspace Design Show

The 2026 edition of the Workspace Design Show in London will explore how the boundaries between physical and digital workplaces are becoming increasingly blurredThe 2026 edition of the Workspace Design Show in London will explore how the boundaries between physical and digital workplaces are becoming increasingly blurred. The event, taking place at the Business Design Centre on 25–26 February 2026, will centre around the theme Connected Realities, which examines how technology and design combine to create more responsive and human work environments. According to the organisers, the show will focus on how hybrid working models, immersive technologies and smart environments are influencing workplace design. (more…)

Interface introduces In The Mix, a new terrazzo-inspired LVT 

Interface introduces In The Mix, a new terrazzo-inspired LVT 

Interface, the global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, has introduced In The Mix™, its latest resilient style blending the on-trend look of terrazzo with the performance benefits of LVTInterface, the global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, has introduced In The Mix™, its latest resilient style blending the on-trend look of terrazzo with the performance benefits of LVT. Available in versatile neutral colourways, the product brings a modern lens to a classic design in a way that supports high-performing commercial spaces. With In The Mix, Interface is responding to the need for terrazzo-inspired flooring solutions without the complexity and upkeep of traditional terrazzo. The aesthetic is now available in a modular tile format, providing more design flexibility while still delivering on the signature look that terrazzo is known for. And the product, like all Interface LVT, is easy to install and maintain, making it a better solution for many projects.    (more…)

Most people now use unapproved AI tools despite security and privacy risks

Most people now use unapproved AI tools despite security and privacy risks

A new poll from Microsoft suggests that most UK employees are now using consumer AI tools at work without approval, raising growing concerns about data privacy and cybersecurityA new poll from Microsoft suggests that most UK employees are now using consumer AI tools at work without approval, raising growing concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity. According to the research, 71 percent of UK workers have used or tried unapproved “Shadow AI” tools for work purposes, with more than half (51 percent) doing so on a weekly basis. These tools are often used for writing reports and presentations, drafting communications, and even handling finance-related tasks. (more…)

Is a smart building worth it? My research says the answer is an unequivocal yes

Is a smart building worth it? My research says the answer is an unequivocal yes

Too often, clients have paid contractors for the design and delivery of a smart building whilst ignoring the operational sideFor my book, The Smart Building Advantage, in which I tracked the evolution of the recent built environment, I trawled through more than a decade’s worth of data. I wasn’t short of material. I studied the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, 22 Bishopsgate in London and NEOM in Saudi Arabia, amongst many extraordinary examples of how buildings and technology can work together. From these, I concluded that smart buildings are like chameleons in the way they’ve adapted to meet the shifting demands of the corporate zeitgeist. (more…)

Circular design and human-centred innovation celebrated at BCO National Awards

Circular design and human-centred innovation celebrated at BCO National Awards

An office built entirely on circular design principles, a 3,300 sq m living wall and the transformation of a Victorian infirmary into a modern workplace were among the projects recognised at the British Council for Offices (BCO) National Awards. Held on 7 October at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, the event brought together more than 1,200 senior figures from across the office sector to celebrate excellence in workplace design, development and operation. (more…)

Most managers underestimate the role their emotions play in decision making

Most managers underestimate the role their emotions play in decision making

Managers are less rational and more influenced in their decision making by emotions than they think.Managers are less rational and more influenced in their decision making by emotions than they think, according to a new poll. The study, The empathy problem: Balancing emotion in decision-making, part of the Building Better Managers series [registration], surveyed 279 people leaders across eight countries and 51 industries, with qualitative interviews assessing how emotions and biases impact workplace choices. While four in five managers reported making decisions without emotional influence, almost all shared personal stories during interviews that indicated the opposite. This gap reflects the unconscious nature of decision making, according to the report. It suggests that, while humans see themselves as rational thinkers, many of our choices are instinctively fast, intuitive and emotionally driven. (more…)

Britain’s AI ambitions face delays from planning and energy challenges, report warns

Britain’s AI ambitions face delays from planning and energy challenges, report warns

The UK risks losing momentum in the global race to build the infrastructure for AI because of planning and energy constraints, according to a new report from the Centre for British Progress think tank. The study, Unblocking AI Growth Zones, argues that outdated regulatory processes, environmental approvals and pressure on the electricity grid could slow or derail major data centre projects. The authors say that while private investment of more than £30 billion has been committed to new sites, barriers in the planning system may prevent projects from being delivered quickly enough to compete internationally. (more…)