July 15, 2024
CEOs are leading by example when it comes to hybrid working, with nine in 10 (93 percent) saying they have personally adopted flexible working patterns according to a new poll. The survey of more than 500 CEOs by International Workplace Group suggests that the vast majority now split their working time between locations. Just 7 percent said they spend five days a week working from a central office. (more…)
July 10, 2024
Campaigners advocating for a four day work week are gearing up for a fresh pilot project aimed at promoting flexible working practices. The initiative is set to launch in November, with participating companies currently being invited to sign up. The findings from this project will be presented to the government in the summer of 2025. The push for a four-day working week, notably with no reduction in pay, has gained significant traction in recent years, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic which reshaped workplace expectations. In 2022, a previous UK pilot saw 61 companies participate, and 54 of them continued the practice a year and a half later. Similar initiatives have also been conducted in Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Iceland. (more…)
July 10, 2024
All the current tenants at Bloom Clerkenwell in London are now enjoying indoor mobile connectivity from all four mobile network operators (MNOs) thanks to a world first from Freshwave. Connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider Freshwave’s Omni Network delivers 4G signal from all four operators combined into a single box, something which has never been done before with small cells. It was deployed at Bloom using CommScope’s ONECELL. (more…)
July 8, 2024
This is almost certainly the most important book about work and workplaces to appear in the first half of this year. Working Assumptions by Julia Hobsbawm will be one of the two most important published this year, as we shall soon discover. It is also one packed with wisdom, knowledge and a central premise that is undoubtedly true. Namely that the events of the past four years have given us the opportunity to rethink how we work and so how we spend our days and our lives more generally. (more…)
July 6, 2024
One of the Labour Party’s key pledges during the election was to initiate a large-scale reform of UK employment law within the first 100 days of taking office. As a result, we can expect some changes relatively quickly, although it may take some time for many of them to become law. The proposed reforms are set out in their ‘Plan to Make Work Pay: Delivering a New Deal for Working People’ and highlight what UK employers can expect to see immediately and in the future. (more…)
July 3, 2024
We might think of online and digital solutions such as AI as more sustainable and eco-friendly. We have email signatures reminding us to think before hitting print and are encouraged to send e-cards with seasonal greetings to save the trees. Our overall preference to switch to all things online means that we rarely question, or even consider, the environmental impact of our computers. It’s also how the truly enormous impact of AI has, thus far, stayed off our radar. (more…)
July 3, 2024
While countries around the world are exploring the idea of shorter work weeks, Greece has taken what many people may think is a surprising step in the opposite direction. In an effort to boost productivity, the country has implemented a mandatory six-day workweek for certain employees. (more…)
June 27, 2024
Cancer rates in under-50s have surged by 24 percent since 1995, despite common misconceptions that it primarily affects older generations. With this alarming increase, more young professionals are being diagnosed and returning to the work in the midst of their treatment and recovery. The growing number of people, especially young people, working with cancer creates a new challenge for HR leaders: are their organisation adequately supporting people? And what truly constitutes best practice in this context? (more…)
June 27, 2024
Workspace Design Show continues to innovate, expanding its diverse portfolio of exhibitors for the London and Amsterdam 2025 shows, and will feature Umbrella Furniture (pictured) as the lead partner for the talks areas at the 2025 London edition, designed by Gensler and Ryder Architecture. Launched in 2021, Workspace Design Show is a firmly established highlight of the global workplace event calendar. Bringing together world-class design and manufacturing industry excellence, the 2025 editions, which take place in London (26 – 27 Feb) and Amsterdam (5 – 6 Nov), feature a stunning line-up of brands, including König + Neurath, Ahrend, Interface, Tarkett, Kettal, Bisley, and Interstuhl. (more…)
June 27, 2024
We know that biophilic elements are key to boosting mental and physical wellness. The Bisley range of complementary planters are the perfect addition for bringing the outside in. The benefits of biophilia are endless, including reduced employee absenteeism, improved health, reduced stress levels, an increase in mood and mental restoration. And it’s something that many businesses have embraced with open arms. Some spaces are even taking it to the next level by planting full sized trees in the lobby or reception, while greenery is appearing in lights, fixtures, and furniture throughout the office. (more…)
June 26, 2024
Undoubtedly, the remote work revolution is in full swing. But it’s messy. Kolekti’s new Save the Knowledge Worker report found a colossal 96 percent of workers desire some form of remote work, and one in three employees is willing to quit if forced to return to the office full-time. And yet, which business leader can say their organisation has perfected the strategy for remote work? Most are still experimenting, tinkering, and tweaking. Even the end destination may be unclear for some. (more…)
July 10, 2024
Addressing bad behavior with good policy
by Laura Dribin • Comment, Wellbeing, Workplace