March 2, 2021
Search Results for: technology
March 1, 2021
Zoom fatigue is real and has four basic causes
by Neil Franklin • News, Technology, Wellbeing
The much discussed idea of Zoom fatigue turns out to be a real phenomenon according to new peer reviewed research from Stanford academics. The study published in the American Psychological Association’s journal Technology, Mind, and Behaviour found that meetings conducted via video calls leave participants feeling more exhausted and emotionally drained than those held face to face. The study found the four most important factors that make video calls so exhausting; the constant need for eye contact, the ability to see one’s own face constantly during meetings, the need to sit still for long periods and difficulties in interpreting or communicating via body language. More →
February 24, 2021
Workplace digital divide is forcing employers to rethink the way they communicate
by Jayne Smith • News, Technology, Wellbeing
In March 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic forced countless employers around the globe to send their non-essential employees home. Few organisations had a contingency plan for such a scenario, meaning the overwhelming majority of employers had to rethink their operations and communication functions on the fly. More →
February 23, 2021
Gig economy workers to make up fifth of employees in financial services firms, claims report
by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News
More than half of financial institutions say they expect to have more ‘gig economy’ based employees over the next three to five years, according to PwC’s report, Productivity 2021 and beyond: Upskilling the workforce of the future to create a competitive advantage in financial services. The second iteration of PwC’s productivity research, that surveyed over 500 financial services businesses globally, and received over 60 percent of responses from C-suite leaders, looked at some key workstreams implemented by financial services businesses and evaluated its impact on productivity. More →
February 19, 2021
‘Zoom rooms’ and breakout space top of the agenda for post-COVID offices
by Jayne Smith • Business, News, Workplace design
February 18, 2021
Self-employed workers and side hustlers to drive the UK’s economic recovery
by Jayne Smith • Business, News
Research released by Mettle and YouGov estimates that the UK’s growing self-employed and side hustler movement will contribute an estimated £125 billion in turnover to the UK’s economic recovery in 2021. Furthermore, small and medium-sized businesses (with 1-49 employees) are estimated to contribute approximately £310.46 billion. More →
February 18, 2021
AI fosters a happier and more productive workforce, research claims
by Jayne Smith • News, Technology, Working culture
Businesses using artificial intelligence (AI) solutions benefit from a happier and more efficient workforce, claims new research from Fountech Solutions. A survey of more than 750 decision-makers within UK businesses highlights the employee and organisational benefits of deploying artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. More →
February 17, 2021
Hybrid working is the new expectation of pressured employees
by Jayne Smith • Flexible working, News, Working culture
The past twelve months have proved to be a watershed year for workplace digital transformation and the urgent shift to remote working has seen the world experience two years of digital transformation in two months. New research from Microsoft Surface claims to examine the impact of this transformation on the UK workforce, suggesting that employees are happier, but under more pressure working from home – despite almost 9 out of 10 (87 percent) of employees reporting their businesses have adapted to ‘hybrid working’. More →
February 17, 2021
More than half of UK workers planning to take on a side hustle
by Jayne Smith • Business, News, Working lives
February 17, 2021
New social enterprise aims to bring work back to unemployed people with disabilities
by Freddie Steele • Company news
Two and a half million Brits are expected to be unemployed this year after the fall out of the pandemic. A concern for many has been how disabled people will fare with the aftermath. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than twice those who are able bodied. More →
February 15, 2021
Issue 5 of IN Magazine opens up new dimensions for the workplace
by Mark Eltringham • Features, Premium Content
The digital edition of IN5 is now available, exploring the very latest thinking on people, places and technology with print copies on their way soon. In the new issue: the different responses of nations to the pandemic; how some furniture makers are using new materials to do something real about the environment; interviews with Marie Puybaraud and Neil Usher; masks and helmets at work; the new opportunities for the workplace professions; how a new office in Athens combines ancient wisdom and modern thinking; the potential for us to drift into a new form of feudalism; and all the latest, news and commentary you need; plus some other stuff you didn’t know you needed. More →
February 11, 2021
Nearly half of young people put their career plans on hold due to pandemic
by Jayne Smith • Business, News
More than 40 percent of young people aged 16-24 surveyed in the UK say they are putting their career or education plans on hold until the pandemic is over. The research, commissioned by BAE Systems to mark National Apprenticeship Week (8-12 February), looks at the impact the pandemic has had on the ‘lost generation’ and their career aspirations. More →