November 26, 2024
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has expressed support for the UK Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ initiative, which aims to tackle economic inactivity and promote greater inclusion within the workforce. However, the CIPD has urged the government to take more ambitious steps to elevate the status of apprenticeships and strengthen partnerships between employers and Jobcentres. More →
November 21, 2024
A new poll from Access Group claims that 35 percent of workers admit to using workplace AI covertly to do tasks they were supposed to do themselves and didn’t tell their boss about, posing questions about the security of AI in the workplace. This figure jumps to 55 percent among 18-29 year-olds, with over a quarter (26 percent) confessing they’ve done this ‘many times’. In contrast, only 14 percent of over-60s admit to having used AI to gain an advantage. More →
November 19, 2024
A significant proportion of global office space is at risk of obsolescence, with up to £1 trillion required to revitalise aging office buildings, according to a new report from real estate firm JLL. The report, titled Opportunity through Obsolescence, sets out to highlight the challenges posed by outdated structures, increasingly stringent regulations, and shifting tenant preferences, but also identifies opportunities for property owners and cities to create long-term value through investment and adaptation. More →
November 18, 2024
Money has long been regarded as a key motivator in driving human effort. Yet, its effectiveness as a motivator varies greatly across cultures, as highlighted in recent research published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. This study delves into the comparative influence of monetary and psychological incentives on motivation, specifically contrasting “WEIRD” cultures—Western, educated, industrialised, rich, and democratic—with non-WEIRD cultures, such as those in India, China, and South Africa. More →
November 6, 2024
A new report claims that while the majority of content writers in the UK’s PR and communications industry are using generative AI tools, most are doing so without their managers’ knowledge. The study, titled CheatGPT? Generative text AI use in the UK’s PR and communications profession, claims to be the first to explore the integration of generative AI (Gen AI) in the sector, uncovering both its benefits and the ethical dilemmas it presents. More →
November 4, 2024
A number of progressive workplace issues have crossed into mainstream thinking over the past few years, and perhaps none more so than biophilia. It is now a principle that has become an issue talked about in the mass media, as shown by a CNN interview with one of Europe’s leading proponents of biophilic office design, Oliver Heath. The interview explores how biophilia taps into our embedded love of nature to evoke certain behaviours and emotions. More →
October 29, 2024
The widespread adoption of hybrid working has led to a boom in active commuting – where workers combine their commute with physical exercise – resulting in improved wellness, productivity, and job satisfaction, according to a new poll from IWG. The increased use of local flexible workspaces by hybrid workers has been central to this shift, says the firm, which provides local flexible workspaces. Almost two thirds (62 percent) of commutes to local workspaces are now mostly or entirely active, a 38 percent increase compared to commutes to city centre offices. More →
October 28, 2024
A new report claims that more than a quarter (27 percent) of office workers who work flexibly believe they have missed out on a job promotion or opportunity. Even so, most remote workers say they still wouldn’t want to give up on flexibility. The Work Remastered 2024 survey of 1,000 office workers in the UK and US, carried out by consultancy United Culture claims to highlight a disconnect between what leaders and employees want. More →
October 11, 2024
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 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 →
October 10, 2024
As AI continues to advance, navigating the balance between regulation and innovation will have a huge impact on how successful the technology can be. The EU AI Act came into force this summer, which is a move in the right direction towards classifying AI risk. At the same time, the Labour government has set out its intention to focus on the role of technology and innovation as key drivers for the UK economy. For example, planning to create a Regulatory Innovation Office that will support regulators to update existing regulation more quickly, as technology advances. More →
October 3, 2024
A new poll from instantprint claims only around a third (39 percent) of respondents think they could make it through the day without looking at their phone. This means nearly two in five workers think they could stay focused and avoid their phones entirely, which is an impressive display of self-discipline in an era where we are constantly connected. According to the survey , one-third of respondents (33.33 percent) said they check their phones every time a notification appears, whether it’s a message, social media alert, or app update. More →
October 21, 2024
The rise of the part time office opens up a new frontier for market growth
by David Rawlence • Comment, Flexible working, Property