Search Results for: hybrid

Future of Work 2025: WEF report sets out the unsurprising but profound changes ahead

Future of Work 2025: WEF report sets out the unsurprising but profound changes ahead

The latest report on the future of work forecasts profound but entirely unsurprising changes for the workplace over the next five yearsThe latest Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum forecasts profound but entirely unsurprising changes across global labour markets over the next five years, as technological breakthroughs, demographic shifts, and the green transition redefine the physical and digital workplace. Drawing on insights from over 1,000 employers, representing more than 14 million workers across 55 economies, the report on the future of work claims that technological change—particularly the rise of generative AI (GenAI)—will be the most powerful driver of workplace transformation by 2030. Broadening digital access is expected to reshape six in ten businesses, followed closely by AI and robotics, which are both forecast to simultaneously create and displace jobs on a massive scale. (more…)

Remote work can boost innovation, but culture eats it for breakfast

Remote work can boost innovation, but culture eats it for breakfast

The effects of remote work on innovation can vary dramatically depending on the cultural context of a country, according to new research by Durham University Business School.The effects of remote work on innovation can vary dramatically depending on the cultural context of a country, according to new research by Durham University Business School. Analysing data from over 8,000 firms across 21 countries, the study suggests that remote working significantly enhances innovation in cultural contexts characterised by low power distance, high indulgence, and notably, short-term orientation. It found that companies based in European countries, like Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary, experienced far greater innovation gains from flexible working compared to companies in more hierarchical and long-term planning cultures such as the Middle East and African region. (more…)

Remote workers don’t stick to their contracted hours and even (gasp) skip some days completely

Remote workers don’t stick to their contracted hours and even (gasp) skip some days completely

A new survey commissioned by book summary app Headway suggests that remote workers exhibit complex behaviours when balancing work life balance and the demands of their jobs.A new survey commissioned by book summary app Headway suggests that remote workers exhibit complex behaviours when balancing their non-work lives and the demands of their jobs. The study, which polled 1,000 remote workers across the United States, claims that while a majority (56 percent) reported improved work-life balance since transitioning to remote work, this shift has not been without its drawbacks. Notably, only 57 percent of respondents adhere to their scheduled working hours, with 26 percent admitting to having skipped entire workdays unnoticed. Furthermore, 40 percent confessed to simulating activity to appear busy on employer tracking systems, highlighting concerns about accountability in remote settings. (more…)

Negative feelings about work continue to grow, especially for managers

Negative feelings about work continue to grow, especially for managers

People are becoming increasingly disengaged from work at a time when technological change is demanding more from them than everThe State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report from Gallup frames a stark warning to business leaders and policymakers: people around the world are becoming increasingly disengaged from work at a time when technological change is demanding more from them than ever before. As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates across industries, transforming everything from operations to communication, the human foundations of the workplace—employee engagement and wellbeing—are showing signs of deep strain. (more…)

People’s expectations of work have changed forever (and they think office work should pay better than remote work)

People’s expectations of work have changed forever (and they think office work should pay better than remote work)

The Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote work have had a “radical impact” on the global workforce, particularly among younger employeesThe Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to remote work have had a “radical impact” on the global workforce, particularly among younger employees who began their careers during this unprecedented period, according to new research published by BSI in collaboration with the think tank ResPublica. The study, part of BSI’s Evolving Together series, claims to provide a comprehensive picture of a workforce cohort shaped by the pandemic and explores how these formative experiences continue to influence their expectations and behaviours. Drawing on a global survey of 4,700 individuals who entered the workforce during or since the pandemic, as well as focus groups and international literature reviews, the research sets out to paint a nuanced portrait of the so-called “hybrid generation”. (more…)

Office fit out costs rise as firms adapt to new ways of working

Office fit out costs rise as firms adapt to new ways of working

A renewed focus on office space comes at a price, with businesses facing rising office fit out and design costsAccording to a new report from JLL, the office sector is again taking ‘centre stage’ in commercial real estate as companies worldwide adapt hybrid work policies to encourage greater in-office attendance. However, this renewed focus on office spaces comes at a cost, with businesses facing rising expenses to design and fit out their work environments. According to JLL’s newly released Global Office Fit-Out Costs Guide 2025, 59 percent of organisations globally plan to increase investment in office space design and fit-outs over the next five years. The report, which analyses data from 68 cities across 40 countries, highlights significant cost variations, key cost drivers, and the growing demand for sustainable office spaces. (more…)

If you want your business to grow, become a digital leader

If you want your business to grow, become a digital leader

The takeaway from research is clear: investing in becoming a digital leader fuels business success.How often does your organisation really challenge its approach to digital? A recent report from Virgin Media O2 Business in partnership with Cebr revealed a gap in progress between tech adopters and non-adopters. The average tech-adopting ‘digital leader’ saw a 12 percent turnover growth and 9 percent headcount growth between 2021 and 2023. This was double that of slower-adopting ‘digital followers’, with 6 percent turnover and 3 percent headcount. (more…)

Flexible workspace, cognitive dissonance and lessons learnt from The Shining

Flexible workspace, cognitive dissonance and lessons learnt from The Shining

If you were to take LinkedIn posts as a barometer of market confidence you would get the sense that flexible workspace / coworking is powering ahead. But this initial impression is simply not backed up by the statsAt the start of the Shining, the seminal horror film of the 1970s, the fantastically unsettling orchestral score provides the clue that this happy family of the opening scene is going to end very, very badly. But the key element of the film is the casting of Jack Nicholson in a kind, smiling role as a writer and loving parent – from the minute the camera settles on that jarring smile, it is obvious that something is off. And this is cognitive dissonance – Jack is being portrayed as a loving husband to Shelley Duvall with your nerves jangling and telling you that he is everything but that…… (more…)

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…)

Global real estate markets grow (very cautiously) optimistic

Global real estate markets grow (very cautiously) optimistic

The global real estate sector thinks it is close to ending a three-year journey to recovery, with a widely held view that 2025 may breakthrough to a ‘reset point’ or commence a new cycle. Even so, real estate leaders globally are braced for another challenging year of uncertaintyThe global real estate sector thinks it is close to ending a three-year journey to recovery, with a widely held view that 2025 may breakthrough to a ‘reset point’ or commence a new cycle. Even so, real estate leaders globally are braced for another challenging year of uncertainty, with lingering inflation, largely driven by factors including geopolitical instability, and persistently higher interest rates in some regions, potentially delaying a hoped-for recovery in capital markets and occupancy metrics. This is according to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate Global Outlook 2025 from PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which provides an important gauge of global sentiment for investment and development prospects, amalgamating and updating three regional reports which canvassed thousands of real estate leaders across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. (more…)

More employees than ever say that they are engaged with what they do

More employees than ever say that they are engaged with what they do

More employees than ever say that they are engaged with what they doNearly one in five employees worldwide reported being fully engaged on the job, a record high going back a decade according to polling in ADP Research’s People at Work 2025 report. It was the third straight year that the share of engaged workers grew, according to the survey. The study claims there is a strong relationship between work location and employee engagement. While 56 percent of the 38,000 employees surveyed worldwide say they work on-site every day (up 2 points compared to last year and up 8 percentage points compared to 2022), only 12 percent work exclusively remotely (down 1 percentage point) and 32 percent work in hybrid mode (down two percentage points compared to last year). (more…)