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Memories of the Office Age 

Memories of the Office Age 

by • Cities, Features, Working lives

memories of the office ageOriginally published in November 2021. No author uses the built environment like J G Ballard. In his 1975 novel High-Rise, the eponymous structure is both a way of isolating the group of people who live and compete inside it and a metaphor for their personal isolation and inner struggles. Over the course of three months, the building’s services begin to fail. The 2,000 people within, detached from external realities in the 40-storey building, confronted with their true selves and those of their neighbours, descend into selfishness and – ultimately – savagery.  (more…)

The shattering of self-image can be a very serious matter

The shattering of self-image can be a very serious matter

by • Comment

And when it’s information that challenges one of their core beliefs, or some notion they hold about themselves such as their self-image, the multiplying factors of cognitive dissonance can really start to stack up.It’s always fascinating to watch somebody deal with information that challenges their view on an issue. Doubly so when it’s somebody really, really smart. And when it’s information that challenges one of their core beliefs, or some notion they hold about themselves such as their self-image, the multiplying factors of cognitive dissonance can really start to stack up. (more…)

British workers now entirely unproductive, claims report

British workers now entirely unproductive, claims report

by • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

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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Brain rot is the word of the year and we only have ourselves to blame

Brain rot is the word of the year and we only have ourselves to blame

by • AI, Comment

In December, ‘brain rot’ was announced as the word or phrase of the year 2024 according to the Oxford University Press. And right on time, we had the viral story of the hawk tuah girl meme coin rug pull to prove it. If you don’t know what any of that means, then do yourself a favour by not finding out. I do know and feel as if something meaningful and important has been cauterized from my brain for ever to make way for it. (more…)

We may think we are pretty aware of the effects of AI. But posterity may draw different conclusions

We may think we are pretty aware of the effects of AI. But posterity may draw different conclusions

by • AI, Comment, Wellbeing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world around us at breakneck speed, unlocking opportunities we could not have even imagined a few years ago. But with its potential comes an immense set of challenges. How we handle this transformation will define the future of our workplaces, economies, and societies. Recent events, including Trump’s revocation of Biden’s executive order addressing AI risks, Labour’s ambitious plans to integrate AI across the UK, and Facebook’s unsettling U-turn on content moderation, highlight the urgent need for businesses to take an ethical, informed, and responsible approach to AI adoption. (more…)

Workplace politics: When free speech becomes a faux pas

Workplace politics: When free speech becomes a faux pas

by • Features, Workplace

Tt's important for firms to understand how to approach the potentially fractious issue of workplace politicsAfter a politically turbulent year, many employers are finding their workplaces more divided, with political views being brought into the office and the lines between free speech and inappropriate discussion increasingly blurred. So it’s important for firms to understand how to approach the potentially fractious issue of workplace politics. Just recently, a former UKIP councillor claimed that she was subject to bullying and harassment by her charity employer for expressing pro-Brexit views, which she argued was a legally-protected belief. (more…)

Workplace monitoring is a fact of working life in the US. People say ‘whatever’

Workplace monitoring is a fact of working life in the US. People say ‘whatever’

by • News, Workplace

Workplace monitoring is a significant aspect of many American employees’ daily lives but people don't think it's excessiveWorkplace monitoring remains a significant aspect of many American employees’ daily lives, with more than half (54 percent) of non-self-employed workers reporting that their employers track their start and end times, according to Pew Research Center’s recent study into people’s perceptions of their jobs. The report highlights a variety of ways employers monitor their staff and explores workers’ perceptions of these practices. (more…)

Navigating misconduct in the workplace: a lawyer’s perspective

Navigating misconduct in the workplace: a lawyer’s perspective

by • Comment, Workplace

Recently, Lloyd’s of London has been in the news because it has proposed significant steps to address the notorious levels of misconduct in its sectorLloyd’s of London has been in the news because it has proposed significant steps to address the notorious levels of misconduct in its sector, as well as tackling bad behaviour across its network. With the Worker Protection Act coming into force on the 26 October 2024, which stipulates new proactive duties on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, precautions taken by Lloyds may have been triggered by the new duties from this Act – but have opened the floor to several questions, including how do we measure misconduct in third party situations generally? And what falls in this remit? (more…)

Two students just proved that Meta’s new smart glasses are not rose-tinted

Two students just proved that Meta’s new smart glasses are not rose-tinted

by • AI, Comment, SF, Technology

By combining smart glasses with AI and face recognition software, two students have exposed something troublingBe honest, did you smirk a little when everyone was posting their ‘legal’ message to Instagram? You probably saw it doing the rounds, after all it was one of the most viral trends ever posted on the app. Stories were flooded with a message reading “Goodbye Meta Al. Please note an attorney has advised us to put this on, failure to do so may result in legal consequences. As Meta is now a public entity all members must post a similar statement. If you do not post at least once it will be assumed you are okay with them using your information and photos. I do not give Meta or anyone else permission to use any of my personal data, profile information or photos”. (more…)

Nearly two thirds of people say they couldn’t make it through a work day without looking at their phone

Nearly two thirds of people say they couldn’t make it through a work day without looking at their phone

by • News, Technology

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.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…)

Information overload and FOMO are major risk factors for remote work

Information overload and FOMO are major risk factors for remote work

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

While remote work has its advantages for most people, a new academic study found that there are at least two under-discussed risks While the shift to remote work has reportedly brought about numerous benefits for many people, such as increased flexibility and autonomy, a new study published in SAGE Open by researchers from the University of Nottingham claims to reveal significant downsides that are often overlooked. (more…)

How younger generations are redefining workplace exits

How younger generations are redefining workplace exits

by • Comment, Workplace

 

The modern workplace is witnessing a significant shift in the dynamics of workplace exits, largely driven by younger generationsThe modern workplace is witnessing a significant shift in the dynamics of workplace exits, largely driven by younger generations—especially those born after 1997, known as Gen Z. It’s not just in the places we might expect. For example, in Japan, a country with a reputation for long tenures and employee/employer loyalty, resignation agencies such as Momuri offer services that allow individuals to quit their jobs remotely. Even where moving jobs is relatively rare, this “resignation-as-a-service” has sprung up as a result of discontent within the workforce. This phenomenon, particularly pronounced among younger demographics, is challenging traditional notions of loyalty in the face of workplace dissatisfaction. (more…)

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