Search Results for: workplace training

Getting working culture right is essential to hiring, supporting and retaining workers

Getting working culture right is essential to hiring, supporting and retaining workers

by • Comment, Flexible working, Wellbeing, Workplace design

working cultureAs workers continue to adjust workstyles to fit with their new priorities, a PwC survey reveals nearly two-thirds of workers are on the hunt for a new job. Many employers are scrambling for strategies to attract top talent and retain their employees. But actively developing working culture and designing new ways to secure the best talent and look after it requires first listening and reacting to the impact the changing work landscape is having on employees’ mental and physical health, as well as understanding and prioritising new and sought-after benefits. (more…)

Poor acoustics hamper productivity and deter people from spending more time in the office

Poor acoustics hamper productivity and deter people from spending more time in the office

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing, Workplace design

acousticsNoisy offices are lowering productivity, with 60 percent of office workers unable to concentrate and delivering poor quality work due to loud workspaces, is deterring people from returning to offices more often, and can even lead to violence. Those are the key findings of a new poll of 2,000 workers from Oscar Acoustics. The survey [registration] suggests that just 8 percent of people feel they work in a quiet office, with only a quarter of office workers working in a space that has well designed acoustics for their job. (more…)

The wellbeing of parents should be a greater concern for employers

The wellbeing of parents should be a greater concern for employers

by • Comment, Wellbeing

wellbeingA recent Oxford University study revealed that levels of stress, anxiety and depression unsurprisingly rose in parents and carers during the pandemic lockdowns. Although social restrictions have now lifted, the recovery from the significant mental impact will continue to take parents some time. Now, more than ever, organisations have a key role in remedying stress and burnout and supporting working parents’ wellbeing. (more…)

Firms need a better understanding of their psychological contract with employees

Firms need a better understanding of their psychological contract with employees

by • Comment, Workplace

psychological contractCompanies and employees are often acutely aware of the terms of their written employment contracts. The roles, responsibilities, working hours and salaries are clearly laid out for all to see. What is often overlooked, however, is that there is a second, hidden, contract within the employment relationship. This is known as the psychological contract. The psychological contract refers to the often implied, unwritten mutual expectations, beliefs and obligations between employee and employer. For example, an employee may take on additional work in the expectation that it will help to advance their career, or an organisation might expect employees to be more flexible in their working patterns during peak times. (more…)

Microsoft Teams now offers Welsh and English translations during meetings

Microsoft Teams now offers Welsh and English translations during meetings

by • Company news

welsh languageYou can now attend scheduled Microsoft Teams meetings even if you don’t understand the languages your fellow participants are speaking. The new solution, developed by Microsoft in partnership with the Welsh Government, allows designated interpreters to translate what is being said during a scheduled Teams meeting, and attendees can choose which language they want to listen to, in real-time. They are also able to switch between languages during the meeting.[Note-all stories on Workplace Insight can be translated automatically into numerous languages via the tab in the bottom right hand corner of your screen]. (more…)

UCC Coffee launch brand new e-commerce website

UCC Coffee launch brand new e-commerce website

by • Company news

UCC Coffee DirectUCC Coffee, the world’s fifth largest global coffee company, has announced the launch of their e-commerce website, UCC Direct, which allows small businesses and consumers alike to purchase a large range of UCC branded coffee, hot beverages, and side products in bulk. One of the largest coffee roasters in the UK, UCC Coffee supply outstanding fresh coffee, coffee machines and servicing to some of the UK’s largest high street chains coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and catering companies alongside thousands of independent customers of all sizes across these channels. (more…)

Employees who practice mindfulness are more likely to think their job is stimulating

Employees who practice mindfulness are more likely to think their job is stimulating

by • News, Wellbeing

Mental health mindfulnessEmployees who practice mindfulness are less bored at work and less likely to quit, according to a new study. Researchers found that in monotonous jobs, employees who are more ‘mindful’ have greater job satisfaction, are less likely to quit and think their job is less boring. The study, entitled “It’s so boring – or is it? Examining the role of mindfulness for work performance and attitudes in monotonous jobs”, has been published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology and is co-authored by Andreas Wihler of the University of Exeter Business School, Ute Regina Hülsheger of Maastricht University, Jochen Reb of Singapore Management University and Jochen?Menges of the University of Zurich and Cambridge Judge Business School. (more…)

Generational careers divide opens up in wake of pandemic

Generational careers divide opens up in wake of pandemic

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

careers divideAlmost half of UK employees aged between 18 and 24 think that COVID-19 has decreased the importance placed on their careers, compared to 35 percent of 55-64 year-olds. And more than half think the pandemic has negatively impacted their career progression, compared to just 35 percent of 35-44 year olds and 17 percent of 54-65 year olds. Those are the key findings of a poll presented in a report from Employment Hero, shows that COVID-19 has caused a widening generational divide in the career motivation and wellbeing of UK employees. (more…)

What makes for an effective human to machine conversation?

What makes for an effective human to machine conversation?

by • Comment, Technology

human to machine conversationTo quote the famous Honda advert of the early 2000’s, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if things just worked?’ If you haven’t seen it or would like to again, you can find it at the bottom of the page. Nowhere is this more applicable than when it comes to chatbots. As consumers, we’ve all been on the end of a pretty unsatisfactory experience that has left us feeling anywhere from a little annoyed to totally exasperated. The question is, what does it take to get a chatbot to work as it ought to? What are the elements of an effective human to machine conversation? (more…)

Hybrid working can help graduates succeed

Hybrid working can help graduates succeed

by • Comment, Flexible working, Workplace

hybrid workingThe pandemic has transformed how we think about and approach the workplace, with the majority of employees having alternated between remote and hybrid working over the last two years. While this experience has been almost universal, many have found this transition challenging – even for the established professionals used to adapting to change. But what does this mean for those about to enter the workplace for the first time? (more…)

Skills shortages lead to fall in wellbeing,  increased workload and decreased profitability 

Skills shortages lead to fall in wellbeing,  increased workload and decreased profitability 

by • News, Wellbeing, Workplace

wellbeingAccording to The Open University’s Business Barometer 2022 report, published in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, UK organisations are experiencing the knock-on effect of ongoing skills shortages, as more than three quarters (78 percent) report seeing reduced output, profitability or growth. The Open University’s annual report which sets out to provide an overview of UK skills , also highlighted the effect the skills shortage seems to be having on morale and wellbeing, as almost three-quarters (72 percent) of organisations say the impact increases workload on other staff. (more…)

Is change your friend or your enemy?

Is change your friend or your enemy?

by • Comment, JB, Workplace

changeIs change your friend or your enemy?  If you are a young person leaving home for the first time and are excited about the prospects of striking out on your own – change is most likely your friend.  But if you are the parent, watching your child leave the nest, and your close protection, then change could very possibly be your enemy. The same is true when it comes to introducing new ways of working in an organisation.  Some people will like the ‘old ways’ because they are familiar and comfortable – they are like second nature and hence don’t take any real thinking. Whereas for others, the ‘new way’ may be quite faster, easier or simply exciting because it is different. (more…)

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