Debunking four common myths around temporary workers August 19, 2019 Work is the hub around which the spokes of society revolve: we depend on our labour to make a living. But one big thing has changed over recent years, as work today is less about the perceived value of the job and more about the level of control and choice that the worker has. The human [...]
DEBATE: Do the students who have just got their A-levels have less to look forward to than past generations? August 16, 2019 Do the students who have just got their A-levels have less to look forward to than past generations? Charlotte Gill, a freelance writer, says YES. A-level results day is one of the most joyous occasions of the year, reminding us of how much talent the UK has. But among the fanfare remains an awful fact: [...]
How to keep cool while covering for colleagues during holiday season August 16, 2019 August can be a stressful time for remainers. No, not people anxious about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, but those left in the office during the holiday period while their colleagues are sunning and Instagramming themselves on the beach. A study by OnePoll last year found that covering for co-workers generally results in a [...]
The ASA’s puritanical ban spree is a flagrant assault on free speech August 16, 2019 When the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) first announced that it would ban “gender stereotypes that are likely to cause harm, or serious or widespread offence” in December 2017, I noted that crackdowns on adverts are often veiled attacks on free speech. The ads that the CAP and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) were flagging [...]
You don’t have to be pale and male to have a career in money August 15, 2019 Today, hearts will be pounding, as young people across the country receive their much anticipated A-level results. Many will be taking up university places, but others will be looking to take their first steps into full-time work. Traineeships can offer school leavers the opportunity to gain paid experience that can lead them, debt-free, into full-time [...]
The big business invasion of the co-working world is bad news for entrepreneurs August 15, 2019 In recent years, the co-working market has exploded. It has become such big business that WeWork, one of the earlier entrants to the space, is now valued at $47bn and is preparing for an initial public offering. The total number of sites and seats available is estimated to have roughly doubled each year since 2005. [...]
Earth to all leaders: You’re doing meetings totally wrong August 14, 2019 Last month, on World UFO Day, conspiracy theorists around the globe gathered to raise awareness of their belief that extraterrestrial life has long been trying to meet with our species – and that such a meeting may have already happened, covered up and redacted by secretive governmental agencies. This got me thinking about a different [...]
Computer says no: Workers waste millions of hours a year because of mediocre technology August 13, 2019 We have all been there. Waiting impatiently at the start of a meeting for documents and conferencing applications to load; the frustration when your device crashes after working two hours on a document that didn’t auto-save; or having to travel hours to a meeting because it’s just not possible to do it remotely. These are [...]
DEBATE: Is Caroline Lucas’ all-female ‘emergency cabinet’ a good idea for avoiding a no-deal Brexit? August 13, 2019 Is Caroline Lucas’ all-female ‘emergency cabinet’ a good idea for avoiding a no-deal Brexit? Kimberly McIntosh, senior policy officer at Race on the Agenda, says YES. At a time when compromise is absent, good faith gone and solutions scarce, radical proposals to stop a no-deal Brexit are a welcome change of pace. An all-women cabinet [...]
Owlet and the appeal of wearable tech for babies August 12, 2019 Wellbeing is a big business. Technology can now closely track our personal health, with apps and devices to monitor how many steps we take, what calories we’ve eaten, our blood pressure, and even how well we sleep. Fitbits and other wearable gadgets have also exploded in popularity with health-conscious consumers. Is there a limit to [...]