Search Results for: environments

Emotion tracking tech in the workplace puts people’s wellbeing at risk

Emotion tracking tech in the workplace puts people’s wellbeing at risk

by • AI, News, Wellbeing

A new report from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) explores the increasing use of affective computing in the workplace.A new report from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) explores the increasing use of affective computing in the workplace. Affective computing is a branch of artificial intelligence which focuses on recognising and responding to human emotions through technologies like biometric sensors, emotion-tracking software, and wearable devices. Once primarily used in consumer products, these systems are now finding applications in the workplace, often marketed as tools to enhance safety, productivity, and employee wellbeing. The use of AI-powered technologies that monitor and interpret employees’ emotions and behaviours is known as Algorithmic Affect Management (AAM) and is rapidly transforming the landscape of employment, raising significant questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of work, according to the report. (more…)

Working life in 2024 is defined by stress, poor management and loneliness

Working life in 2024 is defined by stress, poor management and loneliness

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing, Workplace

Despite living in an era of progress, people feel that stress, disengagement, and declining mental health are prominent in daily working lifeThe 2024 State of the Global Workplace report by Gallup sets out to provide a comprehensive analysis of employee experiences worldwide, revealing a large number of people who feel they are under increasing strain. Despite living in an era of remarkable technological and economic advancements, workers face significant challenges, with stress, disengagement, and declining mental health prominent in people’s daily working life. The report suggests that 41 percent of employees experience high levels of daily stress, with poor management practices being a major contributing factor. One in five workers report daily loneliness, an issue particularly pronounced among remote employees. (more…)

Office attendance and desk use are on the rise as firms make most of real estate

Office attendance and desk use are on the rise as firms make most of real estate

by • News

office attendance and desk use continue to go up, although the provision of workstations has been reduced as part of an overall rationalisation of corporate real estateA new report from AWA claims that office attendance and desk use continue to go up, although the provision of workstations has been reduced as part of an overall rationalisation of corporate real estate. The report also suggests that this may have reached its optimal point right now as just 13 percent of UK organisations are considering further downsizing, suggesting that most firms think they may have reduced their real estate as far as they can. (more…)

Life science interiors: here’s how to create a petri dish for scientific breakthroughs

Life science interiors: here’s how to create a petri dish for scientific breakthroughs

by • Comment, Workplace design

The design of life science interiors is crucial for fostering scientific breakthroughs by balancing precision, functionality, and collaboration. Life science research has grown exponentially in recent years, driving an increasing demand for specialised laboratory spaces. These facilities – including wet labs, dry labs, and their supporting infrastructure – all serve a unique purpose. Like a Petri dish providing the perfect environment for scientific experiments, life science interiors need to balance precision with functionality. When designed well, they create the ideal conditions for innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. (more…)

University staff love to connect on campus, but also value time working from home

University staff love to connect on campus, but also value time working from home

by • Flexible working, News, Workplace

A new survey reveals distinct trends in campus work culture and the growing preference for in-person interactions among academic staff, coupled with a desire to continue working from home when needed.A new report from Hassell, the 2024 Education Futures Survey, explores how hybrid working is reshaping the needs and expectations of Australian university staff. Based on responses from 300 university employees and a benchmark group of 500 office workers, the survey reveals distinct trends in campus work culture and the growing preference for in-person interactions among academic staff, coupled with a desire to continue working from home when needed. (more…)

Workspace Design Show announces Workspace Wellbeing Hero initiative

Workspace Design Show announces Workspace Wellbeing Hero initiative

by • Company news, Wellbeing

The Workspace Design Show (26 – 27 February 2025, BDC, London) has announced the launch of the “Workspace Wellbeing Hero” initiativeThe Workspace Design Show (26 – 27 February 2025, BDC, London) has announced the launch of the “Workspace Wellbeing Hero” initiative, recognising and celebrating exceptional individuals in the workspace design industry who go above and beyond to support the wellbeing of others through acts of kindness and resilience in their work environments. This initiative shines a spotlight on those who make a tangible difference in workplace culture through selflessness, compassion, and perseverance. (more…)

Is salutogenic design the next big issue for the workplace?

Is salutogenic design the next big issue for the workplace?

by • Features, Wellbeing, Workplace design

Colleagues talk in a bright and lively office design

A number of progressive workplace issues have crossed into mainstream thinking over the past few years, and perhaps none more so than biophilia. It is now a principle that has become an issue talked about in the mass media, as shown by a CNN interview with one of Europe’s leading proponents of biophilic office design, Oliver Heath. The interview explores how biophilia taps into our embedded love of nature to evoke certain behaviours and emotions. (more…)

Why does colour psychology make so much difference to us?

Why does colour psychology make so much difference to us?

by • Features, Wellbeing, Workplace design

In 2013, two Australian academics set out to discover the answer to a deceptively simple question. Why is there such a thing as colour psychology, but not shape, line or texture psychology? The answers they come up with are complex, arcane and wide-ranging but they manage to sum them up to some extent in the conclusion to the paper they published. “No other visual attribute shares such diverse representations”, they wrote. “Study into shape, line, and texture hardly competes. For this reason, there are no proportion-shape-line-texture prediction agencies, and chromotherapy is not challenged by proportion-shape-line-texture therapies. Colour remains special and, given its rich and complex heritage, is likely to remain so.” (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

by • Flexible working, News, Property

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…)

Employers need to be proactive to address problem of sexual harassment at work

Employers need to be proactive to address problem of sexual harassment at work

by • Comment, Workplace

In today's evolving workplace landscape, the issue of sexual harassment at work and the work-related environment remains a pressing concernIn today’s evolving workplace landscape, the issue of sexual harassment at work and the work-related environment remains a pressing concern for employers and employees alike. Recent surveys have shed light on the pervasive nature of this problem, revealing that a significant portion of workers continue to experience sexual harassment at work not only from colleagues, but also from third parties such as suppliers, customers and patients. As new legislation approaches, it’s imperative for employers to take reasonable anticipatory steps to prevent sexual harassment at workplace to improve workplace culture, the organisation from expensive and damaging claims and its workforce from such abhorrent conduct. (more…)

Design Guild Mark Awards calls for 2025 entries

Design Guild Mark Awards calls for 2025 entries

by • News, Workplace design

The Design Guild Mark has opened entries for the 2025 edition, inviting designers and companies to submit entries for three categories: furniture, lighting and interior elements.The Design Guild Mark has opened entries for the 2025 edition, inviting designers and companies to submit entries for three categories: furniture, lighting and interior elements. Entry is open to British designers working in the UK or abroad, and designers with UK based design practices. The Design Guild Mark is a non-profit award programme that was established in 2008 by The Furniture Makers’ Company to raise the profile of British industrial design and to recognise excellence in this discipline. (more…)

The science and art of change management

The science and art of change management

by • Business, Comment, JB

 

change management, like potentially most professional roles, is actually split into two halves with one being science and the other being artWith all the talk about generative AI, the impact it will have on people, businesses and industries, I started to think what will be the impact on change management and particularly the role of a change professional? And I realised that change management, like potentially most professional roles, is actually split into two halves with one being science and the other being art. The science element is made up of the products that one can typically see/point to, like a change plan, stakeholder map, training plan, etc.  Whereas the art element is made up of what you can see as well, but only if you take the time to observe and notice the impact it has on environments, people, productivity, retention rates, etc. because it involves the people side of change. (more…)

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