Search Results for: employees

October 22, 2013

Just one in eight employees worldwide are engaged at work

There are so many references these days to employee engagement it can be tempting to see it as management speak. However, according to Gallup’s 142-country study on the State of the Global Workplace, the 24 per cent of “actively disengaged,” employees worldwide who are not psychologically committed to their jobs are unhappy and unproductive at work and liable to spread negativity to co-workers. It found only 13 per cent of employees worldwide are engaged at work, with the majority of employees (63%) “not engaged,” meaning they lack motivation and are less likely to invest discretionary effort in organizational goals or outcomes. In rough numbers, this translates into 900 million not engaged and 340 million actively disengaged workers around the globe. (more…)

October 21, 2013

Job satisfaction keeps employees motivated more than bonuses

by Sara Bean • Flexible working, News, Workplace

The reported levels of stress felt by banking employees already suggests that generous bonuses do not necessarily equate loving the job. Now a new study published today by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) confirms that across the business sector, the single most effective motivator is job satisfaction (59%), with just 13 per cent saying the prospect of receiving a bonus or other financial incentive motivates them to work harder in their role. The survey of over 1,000 employees found that a competitive salary and a good pension are highly effective motivators (49%) but getting on with colleagues (42%) is nearly as important. The report also highlights how important good managers are to ensuring happy and motivated staff. (more…)

October 8, 2013

Nearly two thirds of SMEs now trust employees to work flexibly

by Sara Bean • Flexible working, News, Workplace

One of the main arguments against flexible working amongst blue chip organisations – which was well documented following the Yahoo furore earlier this year, is that it is detrimental to fostering a collaborative working culture. Amongst small and medium sized companies, the reasons against are more straightforward, in that it demands a level of trust small business managers can ill afford to bestow unwisely. Now a new survey, carried out among over 200 UK-based SME decision-makers, highlights a growing acceptance of flexible working within these businesses. Well over half (63%) of senior executives say they trust their employees to remain productive when working away from the office, the Citrix-commissioned YouGov survey has shown. (more…)

September 10, 2013

UK employees not getting enough sleep due to workplace stress

by Sara Bean • News, Workplace

The death last month of an intern at a major City bank drew attention to the ridiculously long hours worked by those attempting to carve out a career within the banking sector. Now a new report has confirmed that workers within the banking profession have the least amount of sleep across the UK, coping on average with just five hours and 50 minutes every night. But the annual sleep and professions report conducted by Travelodge reveals that British workers are surviving on just six hours and 27 minutes sleep every night – one hour and thirty three minutes below the recommend sleep quota of eight hours of sleep per night. Three out of ten workers have reported that they get less sleep now in comparison to a year ago, whilst a fifth of employees regard sleep a luxury. (more…)

June 7, 2013

Are Japanese firms using banishment rooms to get rid of unwanted employees?

by Mark Eltringham • Facilities management, Home, Legal news

Earlier in the year, it was reported that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was investigating a number of the country’s most prominent companies including Panasonic, NEC, Sony and Sharp for the morally dubious practice of setting up euphemistic business units with the primary purpose of creating an office where they could send unwanted or poorly performing employees to demoralise them and drive them ultimately to resign. Last week the Japan Daily Press blog published more information about these so-called banishment rooms or oidashi-beya, claiming that workers are forced to spend ten hours a day performing tedious and menial tasks until they decide to leave.

(more…)

May 22, 2013

Fearful UK employees benefit from engagement policies finds survey

by Sara Bean • Knowledge, News, Public Sector, Workplace

A new study provides some proof that the employee engagement lobby has some validity. According to a new national survey, job stress has gone up and job-related well-being has gone down since the start of the recession, with Britain’s employees feeling more insecure and pressured at work than at any time in the past 20 years. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) report the biggest concern was about pay reductions, followed by loss of say over their job. However, the survey found that where employers pursued employee engagement practices, giving employees more involvement in decision making at work, staff were less anxious about their jobs. (more…)

March 15, 2013

Where flexible working employees really want to work? Starbucks.

by Mark Eltringham • Comment, Facilities management, Technology, Workplace

Leaving aside the fact that most surveys are designed to further the commercial interests of the firms that commission them, most offer a deal of insight into what drives people and organisations, some of it unwitting. Most telling are often the specific details that lift the veil on the motivations and attitudes of individuals. So it was with a recent survey from Overbury that headlined on the idea that poorly designed offices hamper creativity, but also contained a question that was answered in a way which suggested that the place most staff would like to work would be something akin to their local Starbucks.

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March 9, 2013

Disabled employees twice as likely to be abused at work

by Mark Eltringham • Knowledge, News, Workplace

Employees with disabilities are twice as likely to be abused or mistreated at work by managers, colleagues and customers, according to research from Cardiff School of Social Sciences. The survey of 4,000 people found that around one in ten employees with a disability or a long-term illness suffered physical violence, verbal abuse or intimidation while at work, compared to just 4.5 per cent of other staff. The research found that managers were responsible for 45 per cent of serious incidents of abuse, customers were responsible for 28 per cent and colleagues for 18 per cent of cases. Workers with a learning disability or mental health issue suffered more than those with a physical disability.

February 27, 2013

Generation Y employees see themselves as risk averse

by Mark Eltringham • Knowledge, News, Workplace

The Generation that put the Y in N-E-E-D-Y is the subject of yet another survey, this time one reporting that its members view themselves as less entrepreneurial and more risk averse than either Generation X (30-49 year olds) and the baby boomer generation (50-69). The survey of nearly 3,000 people by monster.com and Millennial Branding found that just under a third (32%) of Gen Y workers consider themselves to be entrepreneurial, compared to 41% of Gen X staff and 45% of baby boomers. Similarly 28% of Millennial respondents identified themselves as not being averse to risk compared to 40% of Gen X and 43% of boomers.

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January 6, 2026

Embedding AI into daily tasks can heighten stress and confuse people about their role

by Neil Franklin • AI, News

While artificial intelligence is taking on work across the economy, it may also create new demands on the human workforce that employers must stay ahead of and respond to. Researchers from Microsoft and Imperial College London highlight in the Society of Occupational Medicine’s (SOM) journal Occupational Medicine that AI tools will bring a multitude of benefits to the workplace. The technology is likely to make accessing workplace health support much easier for employees and managers, for example by automating and simplifying booking processes and appointments. (more…)

January 5, 2026

How leadership can drive positive changes in workplaces

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Workplace

The contemporary American professional landscape is at a turning point. While people are sticking with their employers, they feel more disconnected than ever. Gallup calls this the ‘Great Detachment’. (more…)

January 5, 2026

Actionable workplace wellness initiatives for small businesses

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Wellbeing

American workplaces are going through big changes now. Employee engagement has hit a ten-year low. Small businesses often feel these pressures more intensely than large corporations. Limited resources make turnover and declining morale especially difficult for small firms. When even one employee feels overwhelmed or disengaged, the impact can ripple through an entire team.

Wellness initiatives, however, can serve as a practical and powerful solution. When done thoughtfully, they help reduce stress, improve morale, and create a work environment where people feel supported rather than stretched thin.

In this article, we’ll share a few actionable workplace wellness initiatives that can help you foster healthier habits, stronger engagement, and long-term resilience.

1 Encourage Flexible Work Options

The traditional nine-to-five office hours are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Many employees now value flexibility just as much as salary. Flexibility helps your team balance their work and their actual lives. This reduces stress and prevents that burnout we all fear.

Around 76% of businesses in the UK already offer flexible work options to their employees.

You do not have to go fully remote if that does not fit your small business’s model. There are so many ways you can give your team more control over their time. One common way is to offer telecommuting or remote work. This lets people work from home some or all of the time. It saves them a long commute and saves you on office costs.

If your team needs to be in the office, try flexible hours or flextime. This lets them choose their own start and finish times. You can also look into compressed workweeks. This is where employees work their 40 hours in fewer days.

A popular choice is working 10 hours for 4 days. This gives them a 3-day weekend every single week. This model is great for high-workload industries, such as retail, healthcare, or manufacturing.

2 Foster Happiness with Growth Opportunities

People want to feel like they are moving forward. When employees feel stuck, they start looking for the exit. Offering growth opportunities is a huge part of wellness. It keeps the mind sharp and reduces stress about the future.

For a small business, you might not have a big training budget. That is okay. You can check out the Small Business Association (SBA) Learning Platform. It offers online courses on everything from managing a team to marketing for free. Then there is SCORE. This is a network of retired executives who offer free mentoring.

For those looking to advance their careers, you could offer partial tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

Healthcare roles offer a relevant example. Nurse practitioners are expected to remain in high demand through 2031. Many bedside nurses aspire to move into these advanced practice roles.

Supporting an employee who wants to pursue an MSN-FNP degree can make that goal far more attainable. MSN-FNP stands for Master of Science in Nursing–Family Nurse Practitioner. Rockhurst University explains that this program helps registered nurses transition into primary care for patients of all ages.

Many universities now offer the MSN-FNP degree online. By opting for online degrees, employees can continue working while expanding their skills. Supporting education like this builds loyalty, confidence, and a healthier, more engaged workforce.

3 Create a Comfortable and Healthy Physical Workspace

The physical office environment directly affects how people feel. Small changes in lighting and furniture can boost productivity. These improvements prevent chronic pain and eye strain.

As a small business, you do not need a total redesign to make a difference. You just have to be creative with your space.

Sitting for too long can lead to chronic back pain. Ergonomic chairs support the spine and reduce physical fatigue. High-end chairs are expensive, but there are cheaper options. Lumbar support cushions can make a standard chair better.

Standing desks allow employees to switch positions all day. Standing desk converters are a great low-cost alternative.

Lighting is often overlooked in workplace design. Poor light causes digital eye strain for many workers. This is known as computer vision syndrome or CVS. Data shows that nearly 70% of workers suffer from CVS. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes.

Combine overhead and adjustable task lights to customize their environment to prevent discomfort.

Plants lower stress and improve the air we breathe. They can even absorb radiation from our electronic devices. Bring in plants like pothos and snake plants. These are quite affordable and nearly indestructible in an office setting.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Workplace wellness doesn’t require a big budget or a long list of policies. For small businesses, it’s about intention, consistency, and genuine care.

You do not have to do it all at once, however. The key is to start small. Pick one or two initiatives that feel doable right now and build from there. Over time, these small actions create a culture where people feel supported, not just as employees, but as humans. And when your people thrive, your business does too.