Search Results for: employee experience

Employees on a four-day week use their extra day off for housework, hobbies, ‘me-time’ and moonlighting

Employees on a four-day week use their extra day off for housework, hobbies, ‘me-time’ and moonlighting

New research claims to shed light on how employees who switch to a four-day week spend their additional day off – and some are using it to take on extra jobs.New research claims to shed light on how employees who switch to a four-day week spend their additional day off – and some are using it to take on extra jobs. As well as housework, hobbies and voluntary work, staff are also devoting time to education, caring responsibilities and side businesses that can sometimes compete with their main employment. The study, led by Dr Mengyi Xu, Dr Daniel Wheatley, Dr Holly Birkett and Professor Tony Dobbins of Birmingham Business School at the University of Birmingham, explored the experiences of employees, managers and executives at UK organisations using the ‘100:80:100 model’, where staff receive 100 percent of their pay while completing their workload in four days rather than five. (more…)

Redefining the modern workplace: flexibility, zoning, and employee wellbeing

Redefining the modern workplace: flexibility, zoning, and employee wellbeing

The modern workplace is evolving faster than ever. Traditional layouts of rows of desks and enclosed cubicles are giving way to offices designed around flexibility, collaboration, and employee wellbeingThe modern workplace is evolving faster than ever. Traditional layouts of rows of desks and enclosed cubicles are giving way to offices designed around flexibility, collaboration, and employee wellbeing. For organisations seeking to stay ahead, the key lies in thoughtful workspace zoning—creating adaptable environments that respond to how people actually work today. One of the most significant trends shaping office design is flexibility. Work patterns have changed: teams collaborate in bursts, focus deeply in concentrated periods, and switch between in-person and digital modes throughout the day. Workspaces that can transform to meet these changing needs without major disruption are becoming essential. Mobile partitions and modular systems allow offices to create temporary or permanent zones that can adapt in real time, supporting a mix of focused work, collaboration, and social interaction. (more…)

Does your employee benefits package have a marketing problem?

Does your employee benefits package have a marketing problem?

Despite many businesses investing heavily in employee benefits, many of these perks fail to deliver their full potential. Here's what to do about itDespite many businesses investing heavily in employee benefits, many of these perks fail to deliver their full potential. According to the 2025 Drewberry Employee Benefits and Workplace Satisfaction Survey, just 12 percent of UK employees report being truly satisfied with their benefits package. This gap in satisfaction isn’t always about the benefits themselves, but is often a failure of communication. This latest research shows that while benefits may be in place, just 36 percent of employees fully understand what’s on offer. Even fewer regularly engage with these benefits. (more…)

UK suffers from a major disconnect between leaders and employees

UK suffers from a major disconnect between leaders and employees

The UK is experiencing one of the largest disconnects in 'proximity leadership' between senior management and employees, according to a new European Workforce StudyThe UK is experiencing one of the largest disconnects in ‘proximity leadership’ between senior management and employees, according to a new European Workforce Study from Great Place To Work. Part of the organisation’s Leadership in Focus series, the study surveyed nearly 25,000 employees across 19 European countries and found a troubling gap between how leaders perceive their management style and how it is experienced by their teams. Proximity leadership refers to the ability of managers to build trust through regular, meaningful engagement—whether in-person, remote, or hybrid. It’s not about physical closeness, but about emotional and psychological presence: showing genuine interest, encouraging participation, listening actively, and recognising contributions. (more…)

Co-working spaces bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

Co-working spaces bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

Today’s co-working spaces have evolved into something more powerful – particularly in a world still reshuffling office work practices in the wake of the COVID pandemic.When you think of co-working spaces – where workers from different industries come together to share a convenient workplace – you might picture a group of young freelancers hunched over laptops. But today’s co-working spaces have evolved into something more powerful – particularly in a world still reshuffling office work practices in the wake of the COVID pandemic. As workplaces adapt to new ways of operating, from hybrid to “digital nomadism”, co-working spaces can do more than simply offer flexibility. They can support workers’ wellbeing and work–life balance by enhancing a sense of community, building trust and new friendships, and encouraging continuous learning. (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

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…)

Step into the Future: The Future of Work Experience Lounge at EXE 2025

Step into the Future: The Future of Work Experience Lounge at EXE 2025

Welcome to the Future of Work Experience Lounge, a space that isn’t just about work, but about how work feelsThe way we work is changing faster than ever, and with it comes new challenges for HR professionals. Hybrid work, employee well, being, and fostering meaningful connections are top priorities, but how do we create spaces that deliver on all of this? The answer lies in reimagining the workplace as a vibrant ecosystem where collaboration, creativity, and well, being take centre stage. At EXE 2025, we’re bringing this vision to life in the most exciting way imaginable. Welcome to the Future of Work Experience Lounge, a space that isn’t just about work, but about how work feels. It is where connection meets innovation and focus meets flow. Created for HR leaders, employee experience experts, and people, first organisations, this lounge isn’t just another feature of the event, it’s the reason you’ll want to be there. (more…)

Here’s how to support neurodivergent employees at work

Here’s how to support neurodivergent employees at work

Neurodivergent employees can offer many benefits to businesses. Employers should focus on retaining this talentBusinesses have much to gain from neurodivergent employees. According to a recent Deloitte report “teams with neurodivergent professionals in some roles can be 30 percent more productive than those without them”. Benefits of neurodivergent individuals to the workplace – according to the CIPD, range from “problem-solving, to creative insights and visual spatial thinking.” (more…)

If firms want people to ‘return to office’, they should offer a better experience

If firms want people to ‘return to office’, they should offer a better experience

A new report from the British Council for Offices (BCO) argues that if employers want their staff to 'return to office', they need to approach the workplace in the same way they would their customers by creating spaces that offer experiences workers actively seek outA new report from the British Council for Offices (BCO) argues that if employers want their staff to ‘return to office’, they need to approach the workplace in the same way they would their customers by creating spaces that offer experiences workers actively seek out. The report, titled Towards Experience Utopia, claims to serve as a comprehensive guide for creating optimal working environments that integrate the best aspects of both remote and in-office work. Commissioned by the BCO Occupiers Group, which includes major employers like NatWest, PwC, Deloitte, and Goldman Sachs, the report highlights how the shift towards hybrid working has transformed the expectations of employees. (more…)

Managers and employees have very different ideas about the quality of their management

Managers and employees have very different ideas about the quality of their management

Most business leaders feel their management skills are up to scratch, but the people who work for them don't believe itA new poll from Unmind claims claims that there is a significant discrepancy between how UK managers believe they’re performing and the experience of those being managed by them, with over two-thirds (67 percent) UK workers having left or considered leaving their job because of a bad manager. The survey of 3,005 office workers (1,500 managers and 1,505 employees) suggests that, while 83 percent of managers say they’ve had formal training in people management, only 63 percent of their direct reports don’t believe it. Two fifths (40 percent) UK workers say they don’t believe their manager has had sufficient training or the right skills to perform their role. (more…)

People can be so obedient in the workplace, they become Stepford Employees

People can be so obedient in the workplace, they become Stepford Employees

The ‘Stepford Employee’ is a growing phenomenon in the workplace, where staff become overly agreeable, seldom ask questions, and rarely push boundariesThe ‘Stepford Employee’ is a growing phenomenon in the workplace, where staff become overly agreeable, seldom ask questions, and rarely push boundaries, hindering both their personal growth and their organisation’s success.  The term ‘Stepford Employee’ originates from the popular feminist horror novel, “The Stepford Wives”, which highlighted the dangers of subservience and docility for women. This growing trend in the world of work sees employees getting stuck in the status quo – not challenging leaders or pursuing professional growth. (more…)

Looking for a job now as savage an experience as a dating app

Looking for a job now as savage an experience as a dating app

Nearly two thirds of people say they find looking for a job a negative experience with almost a quarter saying that the process is 'soul-destroying'Nearly two thirds of people say they find looking for a job a negative experience with almost a quarter saying that the process is ‘soul-destroying’, according to a new poll from HiBob. The survey also suggests that three in five (58 percent) UK professionals have been ghosted by a prospective employer during the interview process, with two in five (39 percent) having been ghosted more than once. The report concludes that the recruitment process could be becoming as savage as online dating, where four in five single people say they have experienced ghosting.  (more…)