Search Results for: flex

Jobs are getting better, but a quarter of people still think they are bad for their wellbeing

Jobs are getting better, but a quarter of people still think they are bad for their wellbeing

by • News, Wellbeing

Although job quality appears to be on the rise, a quarter of UK workers - an estimated 8.5 million people - say their jobs have a negative impact on their wellbeingAlthough job quality appears to be on the rise, a quarter of UK workers – an estimated 8.5 million people – say their jobs have a negative impact on their mental health (25 percent) or physical health (24 percent), according to the CIPD Good Work Index 2025. The latest poll claims the negative impact of work on wellbeing has remained high for many people for the eight years the survey has been running, despite improvements for some employees on certain areas of job quality. The CIPD Good Work Index, which provides what the troubled trade association claims is the UK’s most in-depth annual survey of job quality, suggests that the strongest factors associated with unhealthy work are excessive workloads, stress, poor relationships with colleagues and the quality of line management. (more…)

The enduring allure of workplace bullshit

The enduring allure of workplace bullshit

by • Comment, Wellbeing, Workplace design

The sleep of reason and workplace bullshitAlthough the legend of Faust is one of the Germanic world’s foundational narratives, its archetypes and themes were already established by the time Goethe codified them in his 1808 play. They have since become universal. The idea that somebody would sell their soul to the Devil to gain something or rid themselves of unhappiness is as resonant now as it was in Renaissance Europe. It has inspired books films and artists to such an extent that its derivatives now have their own Wikipedia page.

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Researchers call for paternity leave reform in face of low uptake

Researchers call for paternity leave reform in face of low uptake

by • News, Workplace

Academics from the University of Bath plan to set out what they say are improvements to the system of Shared Parental Leave in the UK, ahead of what is claimed to be the world’s first ‘Dad Strike’ on 11 June in London and Edinburgh. The protest, timed just ahead of Father’s Day, is a call to action for urgent reform of the UK’s paternity leave system. Research by lobby group The Dad Shift and Shaun Davies MP claims that just 3 percent of the UK’s £3.3 billion parental leave investment supports fathers. (more…)

The amenity trap: why more isn’t always better

The amenity trap: why more isn’t always better

by • Comment, Property

In a competitive market with a growing focus on employee experience, landlords are under pressure to differentiate their buildings, and amenity is often the tool of choice. But more isn’t always better.Over the past decade, amenity has evolved from a ‘nice to have’ to a key part of any office building strategy. In a competitive market with a growing focus on employee experience, landlords are under pressure to differentiate their buildings, and amenity is often the tool of choice. But more isn’t always better. The most successful amenity strategies aren’t defined by volume, novelty, or trend. They’re defined by relevance: to the building, the occupier, and the wider market context. When poorly thought through, amenity can become a sunk cost. When well-executed, it can drive rental growth, increase tenant satisfaction, and support leasing velocity. (more…)

How you handle your home life is reflected in how you handle your work life

How you handle your home life is reflected in how you handle your work life

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

A new study shows that people who proactively reorganise their family routines – such as adjusting childcare schedules or redistributing domestic responsibilities – are more likely to demonstrate adaptability and innovation in their work lifeA new study shows that people who proactively reorganise their family routines – such as adjusting childcare schedules or redistributing domestic responsibilities – are more likely to demonstrate adaptability and innovation in their work life. Researchers found that employees who take initiative at home carry the momentum into their professional lives, becoming more resilient and forward-thinking. The study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, was led by the University of Bath’s School of Management. Over a period of six weeks researchers followed 147 full-time, dual-income heterosexual couples with children in the US to explore how home life influences work performance. (more…)

Younger people increasingly willing to give up remote work for secure work, study suggests

Younger people increasingly willing to give up remote work for secure work, study suggests

by • Flexible working, News

New data from over two million job seekers suggests that younger people are becoming less focused on remote work options as they face a more competitive jobs market.New data from over two million job seekers suggests that younger people are becoming less focused on remote work options as they face a more competitive jobs market. The latest Work Index from Flexa, which tracks workplace preferences based on real-time job search behaviour, found that Gen Z candidates (aged 16 to 28) are now the least likely age group to seek remote-first roles. In March 2025, just 24 percent of Gen Z job seekers expressed a preference for fully remote positions, compared to 35 percent of Gen X (aged 45 to 60). (more…)

Purpose and autonomy are better predictors of job satisfaction than pay and status, major study finds

Purpose and autonomy are better predictors of job satisfaction than pay and status, major study finds

by • News, Wellbeing

The research offers new insights into the complex factors that shape job satisfaction and how people feel about their work and wider lives.The most satisfying jobs and fulfilling occupations are those that offer a strong sense of purpose and autonomy rather than high pay or prestige, according to what researchers are calling the most comprehensive study yet of job satisfaction. Led by Kätlin Anni at the University of Tartu in Estonia, the study analysed data from 59,000 individuals and 263 occupations as part of the Estonian Biobank project. The research, now published as a preprint on PsyArXiv, offers new insights into the complex factors that shape job satisfaction and how people feel about their work and wider lives. (more…)

Little evidence that hybrid working has encouraged high skilled people to relocate to cheaper regions

Little evidence that hybrid working has encouraged high skilled people to relocate to cheaper regions

by • Flexible working, News

the shift towards remote and hybrid working has not significantly changed where people live, nor has it helped to distribute talent more evenly across the countryA new report and series of policy briefings by a team of UK researchers suggest that the shift towards remote and hybrid working has not significantly changed where people live, nor has it helped to distribute talent more evenly across the country. Led by Professor Jackie Wahba OBE from the University of Southampton and Dr David McCollum from the University of St Andrews, the research was conducted by the ESRC Centre for Population Change and Connecting Generations, in collaboration with academics from the University of Birmingham, De Montfort University, and the University of the Arts London. The findings show that most remote workers continue to follow hybrid working patterns, splitting their time between home and the office while staying within commuting distance of major employment centres. This trend limits the potential to reduce regional inequalities or drive economic growth outside of London and the South East.

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Thousands of civil service jobs to relocate away from London

Thousands of civil service jobs to relocate away from London

by • News, Property

The UK government has unveiled a significant restructuring of the public sector, aiming to relocate 12,000 civil service jobs from LondonThe UK government has unveiled a significant restructuring of the public sector, aiming to relocate 12,000 civil service jobs from London to regional hubs across the country. This initiative is part of a broader effort to decentralise government operations, enhance efficiency, and bring decision-making closer to communities. As part of this plan, eleven government offices in London are slated for closure, including prominent sites such as the Ministry of Justice in Victoria, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Work and Pensions at Caxton House. The consolidation is projected to save £94 million annually in property costs by 2032. (more…)

Most organisations now think they reduced their office space too much in the wake of the pandemic

Most organisations now think they reduced their office space too much in the wake of the pandemic

by • Flexible working, News, Property, Workplace design

According to The Office Occupiers Report 2025 from Irwin Mitchell nearly two-thirds of the organisations surveyed now believe they may have downsized their office space too much over the past few years.Most UK businesses now believe they got their office space strategies wrong in the wake of the pandemic. According to The Office Occupiers Report 2025 from Irwin Mitchell nearly two-thirds of the organisations surveyed now believe they may have downsized their office space too much over the past few years. Consequently, 45 percent are planning to expand their office footprint within the next 12 to 18 months, compared to just 10 percent considering further reductions. (more…)

Sustainability and wellbeing yet again key themes of South West BCO Awards

Sustainability and wellbeing yet again key themes of South West BCO Awards

by • News, Property, Workplace design

Seven office developments across the South of England and South Wales have been recognised as the region’s most outstanding workplaces at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) AwardsSeven office developments across the South of England and South Wales have been recognised as the region’s most outstanding workplaces at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. Among the winners were three Bristol-based projects, highlighting the city’s growing reputation for innovative, inclusive and sustainable office design. The awards ceremony, held at We The Curious in Bristol, celebrated excellence in office design, fit-out, and environmental performance. With a strong emphasis this year on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), wellbeing, and inclusivity, the judges praised the winning projects for their forward-thinking, occupier-focused approaches. (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

by • Comment, Flexible working, Property, Workplace design

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…)

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