Search Results for: business

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

by • Flexible working, News, Property

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…)

Five years on and firms are also suffering from the effects of long Covid

Five years on and firms are also suffering from the effects of long Covid

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

Many employers are still struggling with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after the first UK lockdown begaMany employers are still struggling with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after the first UK lockdown began, according to the CIPD. While the pandemic led to significant changes in working practices and an increased focus on employee wellbeing, challenges around productivity and economic inactivity persist. The pandemic brought widespread upheaval, with many people experiencing job losses, business closures, and the loss of loved ones. However, the CIPD argues that it also prompted positive changes in the workplace, including greater flexibility in working arrangements and increased adoption of technology to support collaboration. Despite these developments, many businesses continue to face difficulties, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis and economic uncertainty exacerbate the challenges of workforce engagement and productivity. (more…)

Furniture industry body unveils its plans for growth and government engagement

Furniture industry body unveils its plans for growth and government engagement

by • Furniture, News

The British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for GrowthThe British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for Growth. The document supports BFC’s advocacy across four key pillars: skills and education; trade and exports; standards and regulations; and the environment and circular economy. It has been developed over the past few months, evolving from a combination of position papers written by the associations’ executives and a comprehensive survey of their collective members. (more…)

New research claims there is a lack of support for many neurodiverse employees

New research claims there is a lack of support for many neurodiverse employees

by • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

nearly one in three neurodiverse employees are dissatisfied with the support they receive from their employerA significant proportion of employees feel unsupported in the workplace when it comes to neurodiversity, according to new research from City & Guilds. The organisation’s latest annual Neurodiversity Index 2025 reveals that nearly one in three neurodiverse employees are dissatisfied with the support they receive from their employer, while over a third of neurodivergent respondents reported that they had no onboarding support when starting their jobs. (more…)

UK Government grants Crown Estate new investment powers to drive growth

UK Government grants Crown Estate new investment powers to drive growth

by • News, Property, Technology

New powers enable the Crown Estate to invest up to £1.5 billion over the next 15 years in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure, and digital technologiesThe UK government has introduced a new bill to update the Crown Estate Act of 1961 which will grant the Crown Estate new investment powers. Officials claim this will stimulate economic growth and increase returns for taxpayers. According to the government, these new powers enable the Crown Estate to invest up to £1.5 billion over the next 15 years in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure, and digital technologies. (more…)

Will AI really lighten the load to reduce burnout and improve our wellbeing?

Will AI really lighten the load to reduce burnout and improve our wellbeing?

by • Comment, Wellbeing

The idea of AI being able to lift some of the daily administrative burden off employees is appealing as a measure against burnout. But will it work?When speaking to leaders about the integration of AI into their businesses, one positive repeated to me in every conversation is ‘AI will lighten the load’. Workplace wellbeing is a recognised priority, with most businesses and organisations seeking to minimise stress and burnout and, ultimately, reduce costly sickness absence. The idea of AI being able to lift some of the daily administrative burden off employees is appealing and it’s certainly a large part of the sales pitch of AI tech suppliers. But will it work? (more…)

Genuinely unmissable workplace events are thin on the ground. The Workspace Design Show is one of the best

Genuinely unmissable workplace events are thin on the ground. The Workspace Design Show is one of the best

by • Features, Workplace design

We’ve been here before, of course. We’ve been here many times before – for a variety of workplace events. What’s more, we like coming here. We like the Business Design Centre. We like Islington. And we very much like the Workspace Design Show.For some unknown reason the Business Design Centre was once derided, disliked and generally dismissed by many in the workplace sector. We never really understood this. Why would an industry with a hub just down the road in Clerkenwell not like the idea of visiting an exhibition centre that is so local? Why would they not be happy to come to Islington, with its enviable array of restaurants bars cafés etc? It’s not as though anyone’s being forced to head out to a slightly random, innocuous residential area of London. For those not based in and around Clerkenwell and the City, communications in and out of Islington are extremely good, unlike some of those more problematic destinations to the west of London. (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

by • News, Workplace

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…)

Outdated offices are sabotaging ‘return to office’ policies

Outdated offices are sabotaging ‘return to office’ policies

by • Comment, Flexible working, Technology, Workplace design

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?

by • Comment, Workplace

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 

by • AI, News

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

by • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

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…)

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