Search Results for: flex

Herman Miller Fuld Nesting Chair receives “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for product design

Herman Miller Fuld Nesting Chair receives “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for product design

Herman Miller has announced that its Fuld Nesting Chair designed by Stefan Diez received the prestigious "Red Dot: Best of the Best" award for Product Design—the international design competition’s top distinction within the office chairs categoryHerman Miller has announced that its Fuld Nesting Chair designed by Stefan Diez received the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Product Design—the international design competition’s top distinction within the office chairs category. The Red Dot jury is made up of 40 international experts who test, discuss, and evaluate each entry individually. Designs are scored based on four qualities of good design: function, seduction, ease of use, and responsibility. This award adds to Fuld’s first successful year of being available to commercial customers More →

People are pushing back against so-called return to office mandates

People are pushing back against so-called return to office mandates

A poll by Skillshub suggests there is a potential clash between firms issuing so-called return to office mandates and people unwilling to give up the flexibility and wellbeing benefits they say they have gained through remote and hybrid workA poll by Skillshub suggests there is a potential clash between firms issuing so-called return to office mandates and people unwilling to give up the flexibility and wellbeing benefits they say they have gained through remote and hybrid work. The survey claims that a significant proportion of UK employees (nearly half – 42.6 percent) are prepared to consider quitting their jobs if forced back to full-time office work. This sentiment extends even to hybrid models with a majority office presence (3+ days a week) – almost a fifth (18 percent) would consider leaving, with a significant number (10.1 percent) strongly considering it. More →

Stephen Bevan – a tribute

Stephen Bevan – a tribute

Stephen Bevan who has passed away produced work that was compelling, and with a clear prescription for how things could be betterWe are deeply sorry to announce that our dear friend and colleague, Stephen Bevan has passed away. Steve has been such an important part of so many of our lives over the years – through his work, as a mentor and as a friend – and we will miss him hugely. It is impossible to do justice to the impact that Steve has had over more than forty years at IES and the Work Foundation. Anyone who knew Steve was the better for it, and we will all have our own cherished memories of time spent with him. So, while we grieve his loss, it’s also a moment for us to celebrate his life and the impact he made. Steve encouraged us to think differently, challenged us to go further and inspired us to make a difference. And now more than ever, he would want us to carry this work on. More →

North American office design lagging behind new working cultures

North American office design lagging behind new working cultures

tech firms,, once considered pioneers in innovative office design, are lagging behind the evolving work landscapeA report from design firm Hassell and workplace analytics business Density paints what it claims is a concerning picture of North American tech offices. It says that tech firms, once considered pioneers in innovative office design, are lagging behind the evolving work landscape. The report [registration] analysed over 1.4 million square feet of workspace usage between May 2023 and May 2024, revealed what it says is a troubling trend: underutilisation. On average, these tech offices only reached a peak occupancy of 34 percent, meaning a significant portion of the space – potentially costing companies up to $40 million annually in wasted rent – sits empty. More →

Pattenmakers search for the winner of the  Future Leader FM Award 2025

Pattenmakers search for the winner of the Future Leader FM Award 2025

Livery company the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is looking for the next winner of its coveted annual FM awardLivery company the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers is looking for the next winner of its coveted annual FM award. This Award recognises a future leader in FM, rewarding a talented early-career professional with a unique personal development opportunity funded by the livery. The Award is open to newcomers working in the Workplace and FM sectors, who have a maximum of 5 years’ experience. Entry is free, and all the information needed to enter is available here, including a link to the online entry form. The deadline for receipt of entries for the Pattenmakers Future Leader FM Award is: 5th August 2024. https://www.pattenmakers.co.uk/future-leader-fm-award-2025/ More →

Visit NeoCon, but Chicago has become a tale of two venues

Visit NeoCon, but Chicago has become a tale of two venues

NeoCon may not be the only show in town now, but both it and Design Days are must attend events in the office design calendarChicago is a city which never fails to amaze whether you are visiting for NeoCon or for any other reason. It’s the epitome of extroversion, with its magnificent architecture, larger than life people, almost constant, ear-splitting commotion and frantic comings and goings. Annual visits to the city invariably present a profusion of elegant new skyscrapers of different shapes, styles and colours, which seem to be trying to outdo each other. It’s as if Chicago is constantly trying to outperform all other cities, as well as its own past. More →

Latest carpet tile and LVT collections from Interface explore crafted textiles and natural forms

Latest carpet tile and LVT collections from Interface explore crafted textiles and natural forms

Interface, Inc. the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, has unveiled its latest global carpet tile and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collectionsInterface, Inc. the global flooring solutions company and leader in sustainability, has unveiled its latest global carpet tile and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collections. The Etched & Threaded™ carpet tile and Earthen Forms™ LVT collections push the boundaries of design while continuing the company’s commitment to creating flooring solutions made for purpose and without compromise. The products offer innovative, modular tiles that fit together effortlessly and combine eye-catching textures, natural patterns, and neutral tones that can be mixed and matched, offering more ways to create high-performing, beautiful spaces. More →

Two thirds of remote workers suffer from something called productivity anxiety

Two thirds of remote workers suffer from something called productivity anxiety

new poll from Workhuman claims that while 61 percent of UK employees report higher productivity when working remotely two thirds of fully remote employees say they suffer from what the report refers to as 'productivity anxiety'A new poll from Workhuman claims that while 61 percent of UK employees report higher productivity when working remotely two thirds of fully remote employees say they suffer from what the report refers to as ‘productivity anxiety’. Of those workers, one in four says they battle feelings of inadequacy or pressure to perform constantly or frequently. The survey suggests that fully in-office workers report the least amount of productivity anxiety, as well as higher levels of motivation than remote workers. Workers who are fully remote are also 69 percent more likely to feel bored while working compared to fully in-office workers. Also of note, hybrid workers report 31 percent less burn out than fully in office ones. More →

Two in five people say they aren’t paid enough to make ends meet

Two in five people say they aren’t paid enough to make ends meet

A new report from Indeed, released two weeks ahead of the UK General Election, suggests that more than 2 in 5 (42 percent) Brits are struggling to make ends meet. According to the survey of over 2,000 British people, those in the North East of England feel most comfortable, with less than a third (32 percent) struggling, while almost half (48 percent) of those in Scotland say their pay isn’t keeping pace.  More →

People say hybrid working has reduced their risk of burnout

People say hybrid working has reduced their risk of burnout

new poll claims that the vast majority of workers who have shifted to a hybrid working model say that it has helped them to greatly reduce burnout in their working livesA new poll claims that the vast majority of workers who have shifted to a hybrid working model say that it has helped them to greatly reduce burnout in their working lives. The survey of more than 1,000 people, undertaken by hybrid working firm International Workplace Group, suggests that three quarters (75 percent) reported a dramatic reduction in burnout symptoms, defined as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplaces stress, since moving to a hybrid model. More →

One of the main drivers for mums (and dads) to set up a new business is to cope with the school run

One of the main drivers for mums (and dads) to set up a new business is to cope with the school run

around 9 in 10 working mums who started their own businesses did so to achieve greater control over when and where they workA survey published as part of National Women’s Enterprise Week suggests that around 9 in 10 working mums who started their own businesses did so to achieve greater control over when and where they work.  National Women’s Enterprise Week is an initiative that looks to empower and support female entrepreneurialism. The research, which surveyed 500 UK entrepreneurs, sets out to highlight the importance of flexibility and autonomy as people juggle managing work and family life amid rising childcare costs. More →

A guide to contact lens care and safety in the workplace

A guide to contact lens care and safety in the workplace

Besides eyeglass wearers, the 3.9 million contact lens wearers in the UK must also take into account proper care and hygiene as they meet visual demands in the workplaceTo enable workplaces to evolve and adapt to employees’ changing needs, office provider Mindspace conducted the Employee Wellbeing Data Report in 2023. Findings indicate that around 90 percent or 9 in 10 employees value wellbeing facilities and offerings in the workplace, thus making this factor influential when choosing an employer. Meanwhile, 82 percent expect support from their employers when it comes to maintaining work-life balance, overall revealing the increasing value employees place on their physical and mental health and wellbeing. More →