Search Results for: flex

BCO Awards for Central England continue focus on wellbeing and the environment

BCO Awards for Central England continue focus on wellbeing and the environment

the BCO Awards for the region set out to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainabilityWhat are claimed to be the Midlands and Central England’s most outstanding workplaces have been announced, with British Council for Offices Awards going to five office buildings across the region. Held at ICC in Birmingham, the BCO Awards for the region set out to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability. The organisers claims that the winners of this year’s competition in the Midlands and Central England stand out for their user-centred design credentials, as well as their creative implementation of wellbeing and sustainability measures. More →

FUTURE Designs launches NARO an adaptable, super-slim track light system

FUTURE Designs launches NARO an adaptable, super-slim track light system

FUTURE Designs, the international designer and manufacturer of luminaires and lighting solutions, has launched its latest ultra-thin lighting design, NAROFUTURE Designs, the international designer and manufacturer of luminaires and lighting solutions, has launched its latest ultra-thin lighting design, NARO. Subtle in design, the aesthetic makes NARO architecturally neat and understated. Being only 22mm wide, NARO caters for the ever increasing demand for thinner minimal profiles. The innovative product has the creative adaptability to form countless configurations in square or linear formations, offering flexibility for any brief.

The potential applications are extensive; NARO offers 7 different head options to covering all needs, from spot and linear profiles to stick pendants, making this system highly flexible and suited to all types of space from traditional offices to breakout spaces, and boardroom as well as hotels, bar and restaurants.

The FUTURE Designs lighting system offers variable brightness and colour temperatures options, from warm to cool white, providing perfect light levels to visually enhance any environment, whilst maintaining the highest levels of functionality.

Growth in self-employment a good sign of economic recovery

Growth in self-employment a good sign of economic recovery

IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) has welcomed new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing year-on-year growth in self-employmentIPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) has welcomed new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing year-on-year growth in self-employment. There are 154,000 more self-employed than this time last year. In total, there are now 4.4 million operating in the UK. The data also revealed a significant rise in the number of women choosing to work for themselves, with an additional 93,000 self-employed women compared to the same time last year. More →

Four in ten low income working parents have gone into debt to pay for childcare

Four in ten low income working parents have gone into debt to pay for childcare

The Working Families Index 2023: Spotlight on lower-income families reveals that many working parents on lower incomes are forced to go into debt, reduce their hours, or leave their jobs altogether due to problems affording and accessing childcareA new poll from Working Families in partnership with law firm Pinsent Masons, sets out to highlight the challenges that lower-income parents in the UK face as they balance work and caring for their children. The Working Families Index 2023: Spotlight on lower-income families reveals that many working parents on lower incomes are forced to go into debt, reduce their hours, or leave their jobs altogether due to problems affording and accessing childcare. The report also claims that working mothers on lower incomes take far less maternity leave than the UK average, and that working parents on lower incomes are often locked out of the flexible arrangements they desperately need to stay in work and earn vital income whilst balancing their childcare responsibilities. More →

Hybrid working averse businesses missing out on €113 billion opportunity

Hybrid working averse businesses missing out on €113 billion opportunity

European businesses continue to miss out on the full potential of hybrid working, according to a new survey from Ricoh EuropeEuropean businesses continue to miss out on the full potential of hybrid working, according to a new survey from Ricoh Europe.  The research, conducted by Opinium and analysed by CEBR, polled 6,000 workers and 1,500 decision makers across Europe. Business leaders say that workers are, on average, 4 percent more productive in a hybrid culture, equivalent to an additional €113 billion to the European economy compared with pre-pandemic ways of working. More →

APAC region leads the world in return to office bookings, report claims

APAC region leads the world in return to office bookings, report claims

A new report from Eptura claims that there has been a global wave of return to office bookings returns led by the Asia Pacific marketA new report from Eptura [registration] claims that there has been a global wave of return to office bookings led by the Asia Pacific market, including a worldwide 338 percent increase in collaborative room bookings, 76 percent room booking check-in rate, 35 percent increase in visitor check-ins, and 3 percent increase in site inspections. More →

Environmental concerns and wellbeing continue to dominate BCO Awards

Environmental concerns and wellbeing continue to dominate BCO Awards

As was the case with the winners of other regional BCO awards, the winners of this year’s competition seem to focus on user-centric design, wellbeing and sustainabilityThe BCO Awards for the South of England and South Wales have been announced, with recognition going to six office buildings across the region. Held at The City Hall in Cardiff, the BCO’s annual South of England and South Wales Awards Dinner claims to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector. More →

Fifth of people with fertility issues have considered leaving work as a result

Fifth of people with fertility issues have considered leaving work as a result

New research from the CIPD suggests there is a significant gap in workplace support for people experiencing fertility issuesNew research from the CIPD suggests there is a significant gap in workplace support for people experiencing fertility issues. Nearly one in five (19 percent) people affected said they had considered leaving their job due to their experience at work while undergoing fertility challenges, investigations or treatment. The CIPD’s accompanying guidance for employers, workplace support for employees experiencing fertility challenges, investigations and treatment, suggests that managing the health impacts of it alongside employment can be extremely difficult without an understanding employer. More →

Workplace machine learning improves accuracy, but increases workload for people

Workplace machine learning improves accuracy, but increases workload for people

workplace machine learning improves the accuracy of human decision-making, however, often it can also cause people to exert more cognitive efforts when making those decisionsNew research from ESMT Berlin claims that utilising workplace machine learning improves the accuracy of human decision-making, however, often it can also cause people to exert more cognitive efforts when making those decisions. These findings published in the journal Management Science come from research by Tamer Boyaci and Francis de Véricourt, both professors of management science at ESMT Berlin, alongside Caner Canyakmaz, previously a post-doctoral fellow at ESMT and now an assistant professor of operations management at Ozyegin University. The researchers wanted to investigate how machine-based predictions may affect the decision process and outcomes of a human decision-maker. More →

Hybrid working is a potential deal breaker for two thirds of tech workers

Hybrid working is a potential deal breaker for two thirds of tech workers

The report claims that a flexible working policy is considered a high priority by 78 percent of tech employees and a hybrid working policy by 67 percent of tech employeesA new report claims that 7 in 10 UK tech workers now consider hybrid working a key factor when considering a future employer. That is according to The Scaleup Culture Report [registration] from Techspace, based on a YouGov survey of 1,000 tech workers. The report claims that a flexible working policy is considered a high priority by 78 percent of tech employees and a hybrid working policy by 67 percent of tech employees. Other important factors include flexible working policies and opportunities for career development. These statistics have exposed a new factor that will determine startups’ competitiveness in the job market. More →

Office furniture giant Flokk opens showroom in heart of Manchester

Office furniture giant Flokk opens showroom in heart of Manchester

Norwegian furniture powerhouse Flokk have opened a stunning new showroom in the vibrant city of ManchesterNorwegian furniture powerhouse Flokk have opened a stunning new showroom in the vibrant city of Manchester. The open plan space showcases the Flokk portfolio with popular designs from brands Offecct, HÅG, Giroflex, RH, Profim and the newest brand to join the family, Connection. Positioned in the city centre, with unrivalled access to all railway stations and the airport, Flokk’s Manchester showroom will welcome guests from across the North-West and beyond. More →

Majority of employees see themselves as cogs in corporate machinery

Majority of employees see themselves as cogs in corporate machinery

A significant majority (85 percent) of employees feel like they are just a cog in the machinery of their organisation and 43 percent have no idea how their performance contributes to business success, according to a new survey of employee experience and expectations. According to the new study [registration] from Oracle, HR leaders are struggling to keep up with changing employee expectations and this can have dire consequences for businesses. The survey of 1,000 employees and HR leaders across the United Kingdom (UK) found that despite current economic uncertainty, worker expectations are higher than ever, and HR leaders need help to get the employee experience right or risk losing profits and market share. More →