Search Results for: employer

As hybrid working resets the office’s purpose, its small rituals carry more weight

As hybrid working resets the office’s purpose, its small rituals carry more weight

Hybrid working has changed the arrangement. Many employees can now complete focused work elsewhere, often without a commute or the interruptions of a busy workplace. A trip to the office therefore needs to offer something beyond access to a desk and a screen.The question of what the office is for has become harder to answer. For much of its history, the office had a clear practical role. It was where the people, information and equipment needed for work were located. Attendance was largely assumed, and the working week developed around that shared presence. Hybrid working has changed the arrangement. Many employees can now complete focused work elsewhere, often without a commute or the interruptions of a busy workplace. A trip to the office therefore needs to offer something beyond access to a desk and a screen. (more…)

Are we designing workplaces around evidence or assumption?

Are we designing workplaces around evidence or assumption?

People no longer use workplaces in the same way every day, every week or every season, yet many of the decisions shaping the future of our workplaces still assume that they do.A sudden, intense summer heatwave does more than test a building’s cooling systems; it exposes just how difficult workplace management has become across Europe. During these spikes, employees rethink their commute, meeting rooms fill and empty at different times, quieter corners suddenly become more attractive places to work, and facilities teams work hard to keep buildings comfortable while managing rising energy demands. While these changes may only last a few days, they serve as a useful reminder that workplaces are far more dynamic than we often give them credit for. People no longer use offices in the same way every day, every week or every season, yet many of the decisions shaping the future of our workplaces still assume that they do. (more…)

Inter-generational collaboration linked to stronger organisational performance, report claims

Inter-generational collaboration linked to stronger organisational performance, report claims

Organisations that encourage stronger inter-generational collaboration between different groups of employees are more likely to see improvements in innovation, trust and business performanceOrganisations that encourage stronger inter-generational collaboration between different groups of employees are more likely to see improvements in innovation, trust and business performance, according to new research from employee recognition firm O.C. Tanner. The company’s first State of Generations at Work Report, based on responses from more than 5,700 employees across 17 countries, argues that employers should move beyond generational stereotypes and instead focus on creating what it describes as “generational synergy” across their workforces. (more…)

The workplace canteen isn’t too expensive. The way you run it is.

The workplace canteen isn’t too expensive. The way you run it is.

Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it's a snack machine or nothing. They're half right. The canteen isn't the problem — the model is. And the model has changed.Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it’s a snack machine or nothing. They’re half right. The canteen isn’t the problem — the model is. And the model has changed. Ask a facilities manager what their canteen actually costs, and you’ll rarely get a clean figure. The invoice is deliberately fragmented — food, labour, a contract caterer’s management fee, site costs — and the biggest line, labour, is the one under most pressure. (more…)

Westminster event backed by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin tackles disability employment barriers

Westminster event backed by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin tackles disability employment barriers

An event at the Palace of Westminster this week will bring together politicians, business leaders and figures from the entertainment industry to discuss ways of improving employment opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent peopleAn event at the Palace of Westminster this week will bring together politicians, business leaders and figures from the entertainment industry to discuss ways of improving employment opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent people. The reception, organised by inclusive entertainment company 0UTLYER, takes place on 15 July and coincides with the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Disability Employment. Titled Breaking Barriers, Backing Talent, the event aims to encourage collaboration between policymakers, employers and industry leaders on improving access to careers, particularly within the creative industries. (more…)

New mothers return to work early as financial pressures shorten maternity leave, report finds

New mothers return to work early as financial pressures shorten maternity leave, report finds

Financial pressures are prompting many new mothers to return to work before the end of their statutory maternity leave, according to new researchFinancial pressures are prompting many new mothers to return to work before the end of their statutory maternity leave, according to new polling from campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed. The organisation’s State of the Nation 2026 survey, conducted in partnership with Women in Data, suggests the impact is greatest on single parents, lower income families and parents of disabled children. (more…)

Most organisations are investing in AI. Far fewer are preparing leaders for it

Most organisations are investing in AI. Far fewer are preparing leaders for it

Businesses are racing to adopt new technologies, but many still lack the leadership frameworks, behaviours and organisational confidence needed to turn AI into meaningful, scaled value.The gap between AI adoption and leadership readiness is becoming one of the defining challenges facing organisations today. According to Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workforce report, only one in five employees believe their manager actively supports their team’s use of artificial intelligence, while just one in four say their organisation has communicated a clear strategy for integrating the technology into work. While investment in AI continues to accelerate, leadership capability is struggling to keep pace. Businesses are racing to adopt new technologies, but many still lack the leadership frameworks, behaviours and organisational confidence needed to turn AI into meaningful, scaled value. (more…)

Hourly movement breaks offer best balance between wellbeing and productivity, study finds

Hourly movement breaks offer best balance between wellbeing and productivity, study finds

Taking five-minute movement breaks every hour offers the best balance between improving wellbeing and maintaining work performance, according to a large new study published in the British Journal of Sports MedicinTaking five-minute movement breaks every hour offers the best balance between improving wellbeing and maintaining work performance, according to a large new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers found that regular walking breaks throughout the working day reduced fatigue, improved mood and increased work engagement without negatively affecting productivity. The findings suggest that hourly movement breaks may be a practical way for employers to help reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. (more…)

Fathers who work from home fear ‘return to office’ rules could force them to quit, study claims

Fathers who work from home fear ‘return to office’ rules could force them to quit, study claims

More than one in six fathers who currently work from home say they would quit their job if required to return to the office full-timeMore than one in six fathers who currently work from home say they would quit their job if required to return to the office full-time, according to new research from King’s College London, which suggests employers risk losing experienced staff if they tighten office attendance policies. The report, When Fathers Work from Home, from the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, argues that remote working has become an important part of family life for many fathers, but warns that workplace cultures continue to discourage men from making full use of flexible working arrangements. (more…)

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

A new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job rolesA new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job roles. The survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 58 percent believe their industry is changing faster than before, yet only 51 percent said they are currently engaged in upskilling. The findings have been released as part of Arden University’s Future of Work and Learning Report. (more…)

Data centres are the most significant building type in the world right now. And we need to talk about that

Data centres are the most significant building type in the world right now. And we need to talk about that

Data centres have always been a slight anomaly in the Built Environment sector, part property and part critical infrastructure (talking in wattage rather than square footage for example), lacking aesthetic appeal and they are not significant employers, they are often considered a necessary evil to support our hyper-communicative lifestylesThe Data Centre Congress which took place from June 1st to 4th in Cannes is to data centres what mipim is to the more traditional markets in property, a place where the good and the great – from investors and operators, to the engineers and power providers, gather to network and contemplate the challenges and the future of the sector. In Q1 last year there was a slight chill through the sector after Microsoft halted data centre plans across the US and Europe to the tune of 2GW, citing caution around the overexpansion of AI and uncertainty around tariffs. What seemed like bombshell news at the time, felt like a mere blip and a distant memory at the 2026 edition and this juggernaut of activity is showing zero signs of slowing, a market that is currently worth over $300 billion is set to rise to $699.13 billion by 2034. (more…)

New hires fall to five-year low as UK labour market continues to soften

New hires fall to five-year low as UK labour market continues to soften

The number of people starting new jobs in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in five years, according to the latest labour market figuresThe number of people starting new jobs in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in five years, according to the latest labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), adding to evidence of a gradual cooling in employment demand. The ONS said the labour market remained “broadly stable”, but several indicators pointed to weakening conditions. New recruitment fell to just under 540,000 people in April, the lowest monthly inflow since March 2021, while vacancies continued their long-running decline. (more…)