Search Results for: people

Is this last orders for the post-work drink?

Is this last orders for the post-work drink?

 

The traditional post-work drink may be falling from favour as a shift in attitudes means people increasingly prefer daytime social gatherings, a new poll claimsThe traditional post-work drink may be falling from favour as a shift in attitudes and working culture means people increasingly prefer daytime social gatherings, a new poll claims. Employers are being encouraged to move away from pub outings as a means of socialising, instead fostering “inclusive and healthy workplace cultures” that cater to employees who don’t drink alcohol or work remotely. As four different generations now share the workplace, new expectations around employee health and wellbeing are emerging, according to the survey commissioned by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). More →

Endlessly distracted? Get some focus with the new issue of IN Magazine

Endlessly distracted? Get some focus with the new issue of IN Magazine

 

t's a bit of a bumper issue. The digital edition of the new IN Magazine is available for you here.

It’s a bit of a bumper issue. The digital edition of the new IN Magazine is available for you here. Inside you will find: our special supplement on how to encourage people to spend more time in the office (if you and they want to); Peggie Rothe of Leesman talking about how to optimise the workplace experience (and why you need to do it); Jo Knight cutting through yet another layer of sustainability BS; Stephanie Fitzgerald grappling with AI; a look back on the new direction for office design heralded thirty years ago by three new products; and a recent look back on Clerkenwell Design Week; a visit to an installation that shows how Sheffield is reinventing itself; a look at what happens when firms monitor staff (they monitor the firm right back); alternatives to our conception of the working day; how firms are building new relationships with remote staff; how Mark Eltringham can’t even be happy reading a book he agrees with; and the final word on the most complained about aspect of work.      More →

How can companies address the skills gap and ongoing talent shortage in their industry?

How can companies address the skills gap and ongoing talent shortage in their industry?

 

Employers can, however, take proactive measures to address these problems and thrive by implementing smart solutions and adopting innovative tactics like Employer of Record (EOR) services to acquire top talent and bridge the skills gapThe modern business landscape is facing a significant challenge: a growing skills gap and a persistent talent shortage across various industries. Companies are finding it difficult to find qualified candidates with the necessary skills to fill important roles as technology changes quickly and job requirements change. This talent shortage may hinder general productivity, growth, and innovation. Employers can, however, take proactive measures to address these problems and thrive by implementing smart solutions and adopting innovative tactics like Employer of Record (EOR) services to acquire top talent. More →

Organisations need to address the rising problem of workplace sickness

Organisations need to address the rising problem of workplace sickness

Rising levels of workplace sickness are costing UK businesses billions each year, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy ResearchRising levels of workplace sickness are costing UK businesses billions each year, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The think tank’s analysis reveals that the annual hidden cost of employee sickness has surged by £30 billion since 2018. Of this increase, £25 billion is attributed to lower productivity from employees working while ill, with only £5 billion due to an increase in sick days. More →

Challenging the concept of work-life balance as we know it

Challenging the concept of work-life balance as we know it

Rather than encouraging people to aim for the mythical work-life balance, why not support them to experiment with opportunities?The notion of work-life balance has been talked about for decades with the underlying claim that if you achieve it, everything will be perfect. In post-Covid workplaces, hybrid working is becoming the norm and promises of flexibility and yoga on a Thursday lunchtime adorn recruitment adverts. From a distance, it would be easy to think we’ve now nailed the work-life balance challenge. Yet hybrid working hasn’t waved a magic wand and many people struggling feel more like a circus performer, juggling with different-sized objects with sharp corners, whilst riding a unicycle, than they do a calm and collected master balancer. More →

Shortage of high-quality data threatens the AI ‘boom’

Shortage of high-quality data threatens the AI ‘boom’

A number of fundamental issues, including a shortage of high-quality data with which to ‘train’ the technology is threaten the AI ‘boom’, according to a new white paper from the Open Data InstituteA number of fundamental issues, including a shortage of high-quality data with which to ‘train’ the technology is threatening the AI ‘boom’, according to a new white paper from the Open Data Institute. The paper Building a better future with data and AI is based on research carried out by the Institute in the first half of 2024. It claims to identify significant weaknesses in the UK’s technological infrastructure that threaten the predicted potential gains – for people, society, and the economy – from the surge of interest in artificial intelligence and its applications. It also outlines the ODI’s recommendations for creating diverse, fair data-centric AI. More →

Getting the long term unemployed back into work will transform the economy, says Government adviser

Getting the long term unemployed back into work will transform the economy, says Government adviser

He argues that this approach is essential to address the unsustainable welfare costs associated with the long term unemployed and to mitigate the "toxic" reliance on immigrationThe rising costs of welfare and the country’s increasing dependency on immigration have become significant concerns, prompting a call for reform from a prominent government health adviser. Alan Milburn, a former health secretary, has emphasised the need for individuals with long-term illnesses and others stuck in a cycle of long term unemployment to actively seek employment. He argues that this approach is essential to address the unsustainable welfare costs associated with the long term unemployed and to mitigate the “toxic” reliance on immigration for the workforce. 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 →

British icons showcase sustainable design at Material Matters during London Design Festival

British icons showcase sustainable design at Material Matters during London Design Festival

Bisley and MARK Product have announced their participation in Material Matters, as part of London Design Festival 2024Bisley and MARK Product have announced their participation in Material Matters, as part of London Design Festival 2024. This marks the debut of their collaboration since their strategic partnership was announced earlier this year, spotlighting their commitment to a sustainable and circular economy. Material Matters bring together over 40 world-leading brands, designers, makers and manufacturers. MARK and Bisley have been invited as part of the Room 12 exhibit, curated by designers TP Bennett and The Furniture Practice in celebration of the importance of material intelligence in architecture and design. Their installation focusses on the social aspect of the circular economy – how good jobs and skills along with building strong manufacturing and creative communities are essential for a sustainable future. More →

Book review: Workspace Made Easy

Book review: Workspace Made Easy

Workspace Made Easy by Kursty Groves and Neil Usher offers a step-by- step-guide through the complexities of creating and implement a workplace strategy from first principles through to occupying a space and changing it over timeThere’s a dog-eared, yellowing paperback on my bookshelf called Understanding Offices. Written by Joanna Eley and Alexi Marmot, it dates from 1995. It is a handbook for everybody who needed to know how to develop a workplace strategy during the infant phase of the digital and cultural revolution of the late 20th Century. I used to refer to it all the time, but now it serves mainly as a reminder of how much has changed over the past thirty years, and also how little. More →

Increase in social media use and ‘doomscrolling’ could affect mental health and productivity in Gen-Z workers

Increase in social media use and ‘doomscrolling’ could affect mental health and productivity in Gen-Z workers

doomscrollingNuffield Health’s 2024 ‘Healthier Nation Index’ – a survey of 8,000 UK adults has highlighted how the young workforce is more social media obsessed than ever before. The study claims that social media use has increased for Gen-Z, with 16-24-year-olds spending over two hours a day doomscrolling on social media apps like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook per day (129 minutes), which is a seven percent increase and nearly ten minutes more a day than they were last year (119 minutes). This is four times the daily recommended amount for improved wellbeing. More →

Connection through design: The role of office designers in fostering workplace ties

Connection through design: The role of office designers in fostering workplace ties

For office designers creating spaces that foster rich, interpersonal connections between colleagues both in-person and remote is essential.For office designers creating spaces that foster rich, interpersonal connections between colleagues both in-person and remote is essential. Design with Impact is a philosophy that can help workplaces prepare to host these meaningful interactions, cultivating a shared sense of purpose among employees. There are many ways that people connect with spaces and within spaces. Physical connection is the most fundamental, and perhaps most obvious type of workplace connection. In-person interaction allows for immediate communication, the ability to read body language, and some would argue, a more meaningful connection than any relationship that can be built over video call. More →