Search Results for: stress

Furniture Makers organising fifth conference for HR professionals

Furniture Makers organising fifth conference for HR professionals

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is organising its fifth annual HR conference, Routes to a Stronger Workforce 2025. Sponsored by Blum UK, the event is taking place on Thursday 10 July 2025 (10:00am – 3:00pm) at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London, and is tailored for HR professionals working in the furniture and furnishing industry. The conference will be chaired by Emma Welch, group HR director at Ocee International, and will feature expert-led sessions on topics such as debt management, mental health, and apprenticeship recruitment. (more…)

UK suffers from a major disconnect between leaders and employees

UK suffers from a major disconnect between leaders and employees

The UK is experiencing one of the largest disconnects in 'proximity leadership' between senior management and employees, according to a new European Workforce StudyThe UK is experiencing one of the largest disconnects in ‘proximity leadership’ between senior management and employees, according to a new European Workforce Study from Great Place To Work. Part of the organisation’s Leadership in Focus series, the study surveyed nearly 25,000 employees across 19 European countries and found a troubling gap between how leaders perceive their management style and how it is experienced by their teams. Proximity leadership refers to the ability of managers to build trust through regular, meaningful engagement—whether in-person, remote, or hybrid. It’s not about physical closeness, but about emotional and psychological presence: showing genuine interest, encouraging participation, listening actively, and recognising contributions. (more…)

The world needs amazing leaders like never before. But where are they?

The world needs amazing leaders like never before. But where are they?

rapid changes in today’s environment can put even the best leaders under immense strain and cause ripple effects within the organisationDemand for integrity and strength in leadership has never been greater. A wave of quickly evolving AI technologies, combined with geopolitics and other pressures, is increasing this need at an unprecedented pace. The rapid changes in today’s environment can put even the best leaders under immense strain and cause ripple effects within the organisation. In fact, even those changes that are expected to bring efficiency and simplicity like GenAI, translate into confusion, anxiety, and complexity in many situations. According to McKinsey research, a staggering 56 percent of employees report that their leaders are either mildly or highly toxic. Even more concerning, 75 percent of employees identify their boss as the most stressful part of their workday. (more…)

Regional BCO Awards show how London’s best offices are redefining the way we work

Regional BCO Awards show how London’s best offices are redefining the way we work

The awards recognise excellence in the design, fit-out, operation and environmental responsibility of London's best offices.In a city where tradition meets the cutting edge, London’s office spaces are undergoing a quiet revolution. At the British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Awards, held today at the London Hilton on Park Lane, seven projects were celebrated—not just for their architectural merit, but for what they reveal about the evolving needs of workers, employers, and communities alike. This year’s winners, chosen from across the capital, signal what the BCO claim is a new era of workplace thinking—where sustainability, community engagement, and human experience carry as much weight as style and status. The awards recognise excellence in the design, fit-out, operation and environmental responsibility of London’s best offices. The 2025 cohort offers more than inspiration; it sets a bold new benchmark for the offices of tomorrow. (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…)

Far from lightening the load, could AI lead to burnout?

Far from lightening the load, could AI lead to burnout?

The idea of AI being able to lift some of the daily administrative burden off employees is appealing and it’s certainly a large part of the sales pitch of AI tech suppliers. But will it work?When speaking to leaders about the integration of AI into their businesses, one positive repeated to me in every conversation is ‘AI will lighten the load’. Workplace wellbeing is a recognised priority, with most businesses and organisations seeking to minimise stress and burnout and, ultimately, reduce costly sickness absence. The idea of AI being able to lift some of the daily administrative burden off employees is appealing and it’s certainly a large part of the sales pitch of AI tech suppliers. But will it work? (more…)

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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Important eye care habits professionals should practice in 2025 and beyond

Important eye care habits professionals should practice in 2025 and beyond

However, whether it comes to your wellness or work, you may be neglecting an important aspect of both: eye careWith the new year in full swing, you may be working hard to stick to your resolutions and goals, whether it’s exercising more, eating healthy, saving money, and much more. For your professional life, you may be prioritising working towards a promotion you’re aiming for, getting more organised and productive, or quickly hitting your targets and quotas. However, whether it comes to your wellness or work, you may be neglecting an important aspect of both: eye care. Maintaining eye health is essential for work and everyday life, but many people lack the right habits. (more…)

Hybrid working improves self-reported wellbeing and productivity

Hybrid working improves self-reported wellbeing and productivity

Hybrid working improves employee health and wellbeing, reducing stress, and boosting productivity, according to a new study by flexible office provider International Workplace Group.Hybrid working improves employee health and wellbeing, reduces stress, and boosts productivity, according to a new study by flexible office provider International Workplace Group. The research, which surveyed more than 2,000 hybrid workers, found that 34 percent reported taking fewer sick days since gaining flexibility over how and where they work. The findings suggest that hybrid work enables better overall health management. More than seven in ten respondents (71 percent) said flexible arrangements allow them to prioritise preventative healthcare, such as regular screenings and check-ups, while 69 percent said they can better manage existing health conditions. The reduction in stress-related illnesses was also significant, with 68 percent of hybrid workers reporting fewer symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and tension-related pain. (more…)

Two thirds of people would like to quit jobs for a more meaningful career

Two thirds of people would like to quit jobs for a more meaningful career

The research, published in The Purpose Playbook: Bridging the Gap Between Career Success and Life Fulfilment, explores how lifelong learning and personal growth can help individuals find a more meaningful career.A new report from Tomorrow University claims that two-thirds of professionals say they would quit their jobs for work that better aligns with their sense of purpose, highlighting a growing disconnect between career success and life fulfilment. The research, published in The Purpose Playbook: Bridging the Gap Between Career Success and Life Fulfilment, explores how lifelong learning and personal growth can help individuals find a more meaningful career. (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…)

New research claims there is a lack of support for many neurodiverse employees

New research claims there is a lack of support for many neurodiverse employees

nearly one in three neurodiverse employees are dissatisfied with the support they receive from their employerA significant proportion of employees feel unsupported in the workplace when it comes to neurodiversity, according to new research from City & Guilds. The organisation’s latest annual Neurodiversity Index 2025 reveals that nearly one in three neurodiverse employees are dissatisfied with the support they receive from their employer, while over a third of neurodivergent respondents reported that they had no onboarding support when starting their jobs. (more…)