Search Results for: flexible working

British workers now entirely unproductive, claims report

British workers now entirely unproductive, claims report

The overwhelming majority of UK workers don’t do anything productive at all, according to a new report published today. The study of available research into the illnesses, injuries, distractions, wastes of time, procrastinations, productivity drains and paralyses that afflict British workers found that the annual cost to the British economy is around £1.8 trillion, equivalent to 98.9 percent of GDP.

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Only Filipinos spend less time each week in an office than British workers

Only Filipinos spend less time each week in an office than British workers

British workers spend less time in the office than almost any other nation, with only  Filipinos averaging fewer days at their deskBritish workers spend less time in the office than almost any other nation, with only employees in the Philippines averaging fewer days at their desks, according to a new poll. The global survey conducted by property consultancy JLL suggests that UK workers are in the office for just two days a week on average, while their preference is for even fewer—just 1.5 days per week. The report claims that its findings highlight the ongoing reluctance among British employees to return to pre-pandemic office routines, despite increasing pressure from employers. By contrast, workers in Kuwait spend the most time in the office, averaging 4.2 days per week, followed closely by China at 4.1 days. Greece was the only country in the study where employee preferences aligned with employer expectations, with workers spending 3.5 days per week in the office. (more…)

Five years on and firms are also suffering from the effects of long Covid

Five years on and firms are also suffering from the effects of long Covid

Many employers are still struggling with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after the first UK lockdown begaMany employers are still struggling with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after the first UK lockdown began, according to the CIPD. While the pandemic led to significant changes in working practices and an increased focus on employee wellbeing, challenges around productivity and economic inactivity persist. The pandemic brought widespread upheaval, with many people experiencing job losses, business closures, and the loss of loved ones. However, the CIPD argues that it also prompted positive changes in the workplace, including greater flexibility in working arrangements and increased adoption of technology to support collaboration. Despite these developments, many businesses continue to face difficulties, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis and economic uncertainty exacerbate the challenges of workforce engagement and productivity. (more…)

Employment law five years after COVID: what’s changed?

Employment law five years after COVID: what’s changed?

As we approach five years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it’s a good opportunity to look back on the impact it had on the UK workplace and employment lawAs we approach five years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it’s a good opportunity to look back on the impact it had on the UK workplace and employment law. The pandemic was a seismic event for the workplace, but did it fundamentally change employment law in the UK? While COVID brought emergency measures such as furlough, the legal framework underpinning employment has remained largely intact. What has shifted, however, is the prominence of certain legal rights and protections for the employee —especially around health and safety, flexible working. (more…)

How employee benefits offer value for money

How employee benefits offer value for money

Every pound spent on employee benefits is a pound that could boost your profits. That's why it's vital to ensure your benefits package aligns perfectly with what your employees need and valueIf you want to provide great employee benefits but are constrained by budget, there are some company perks that not only keep your employees happy, but can also provide serious value for money. Whether it’s leveraging tax-efficient Salary Sacrifice schemes or taking a more holistic approach such as flexible working, it’s definitely possible to offer great benefits while boosting your bottom line. (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

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…)

Sick days rise 41 percent over last three years as business productivity falls post-pandemic

Sick days rise 41 percent over last three years as business productivity falls post-pandemic

sick daysSick days have surged by 41 percent over the past three years as employers continue to struggle with declining levels of productivity. The latest Hiring Trends Index by Totaljobs, surveying 1000 UK HR decision-makers, highlights how this rise in absenteeism is perpetuating a cycle of poor business performance affecting both employers and employees. (more…)

The rise of the part time office opens up a new frontier for market growth

The rise of the part time office opens up a new frontier for market growth

The part-time office offers companies the ability to rent office spaces on a part-time basis, writes David RawlenceAs businesses, large and small, continue to adapt to post-pandemic realities, the demand for flexible working solutions continues to surge. The part-time office offers companies the ability to rent office spaces on a part-time basis—often for just one to three days a week— whilst opening a unique opportunity for occupiers, landlords, operators, and investors. (more…)

Reactions to the UK’s new Employment Rights Bill

Reactions to the UK’s new Employment Rights Bill

Details of the UK's new Employment Rights Bill were released yesterday. The legislation represents what the government claims is a significant overhaul of workers' rights, offering more protections and benefits and helping to promote practices like flexible workingDetails of the UK’s new Employment Rights Bill were released yesterday. The legislation represents what the government claims is a significant overhaul of workers’ rights, offering more protections and benefits and helping to promote practices like flexible working. Key elements of the bill include granting workers access to statutory sick pay and parental leave from the first day of employment, and introducing a ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts. It also aims to curb controversial “fire and rehire” practices and gives employees the right to claim unfair dismissal from day one, rather than after two years of service. However, businesses will still be allowed to operate probationary periods to ensure fit for roles, with discussions suggesting a maximum of six months. (more…)

Women find it more difficult to separate remote work from their family lives

Women find it more difficult to separate remote work from their family lives

 

Remote work has often been lauded as a potential solution to gender inequality, given its flexibility, however these findings showcase that personal circumstances still have an effect on women’s careers.Women have much more difficulty separating their working lives and their family lives when they work from home, than men do, according to new research from Durham University Business School. Remote work has often been lauded as a potential solution to gender inequality, given its flexibility, however these findings showcase that personal circumstances still have an effect on women’s careers. (more…)

Accelerating the rise of the adaptable office

Accelerating the rise of the adaptable office

The growth of the adaptable office is one of the most obvious responses to the growing appetite for flexible working and agile property strategiesThe introduction of the Flexible Working Act is another sign that the concept of the ‘workplace’ has undergone a significant transformation. These shifts in work patterns, office usage and approach are all having dramatic knock-on impacts when it comes to the future of the physical infrastructure of the nation’s office environments, and the investor communities behind them. The growth of the adaptable office is one of the most obvious responses to the growing appetite for flexible working and agile property strategies. (more…)

The city and the office have much to teach each other

The city and the office have much to teach each other

It’s common to hear people say that the boundaries between the traditional workplace and the outside world have become blurred but it might be closer to the truth to say that in a growing number of cases they have been eradicated and that the evolution of cities and offices is informed by a two way exchange of DNA. Whatever you might hear, these times are far from unprecedented. History has lessons for us both in terms of how we view the events of 2020 and how we might respond to them, including how we progress as a species and make our lives and the world a better place. In 1832, there was an epidemic of cholera in the UK’s towns and cities. In those with a population of 100,000 or more life expectancy was just 26 years. The reasons for this were picked up on by a government official called Edwin Chadwick as a member of the Poor Law Commission.   (more…)