Making work pay is good for growth October 17, 2024 Don’t listen to populist outcry over the Employment Rights Bill, all the evidence shows protecting workers from exploitation is good for the economy, says Sam Fowles Labour workers’ rights reforms have prompted predictable howls of outrage. The Employment Rights Bill, apparently, “injects fear” into business and will “damage British competitiveness”. Ironically, the most hysterical wails [...]
Workspace: Lettings strong but occupancy declines with clients vacating October 15, 2024 Leading provider of flexible office spaces Workspace reported strong lettings in the latest quarter, but saw some of its bigger clients quit as occupancy declined. The firm said it completed 296 lettings in the second quarter of 2024, generating £7.4m in annual rental income. The London-based firm’s like-for-like occupancy rate however dipped by 0.7 per [...]
Let’s be honest… the government is gaslighting us on working from home September 19, 2024 Given the public sector’s appalling productivity record , the government should get its own house in order before giving out working from home advice to private businesses, says Matthew Lesh There is an irony in government ministers telling private enterprises how to be more productive. This week, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds claimed that creating a [...]
‘Strike right balance’ on flexible working, business groups urge Labour September 17, 2024 Ministers must allow firms to “strike the right balance” on flexible working, business lobby groups have urged. It comes after business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told The Times alternative work schedules “contribute to productivity” and could be “significant” in tackling regional inequality issues, amid debate over the government’s proposed plans for workers’ rights reforms. He said, [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell: Labour’s working week reforms won’t help firms September 17, 2024 British businessman Sir Martin Sorrell has said that altering the working week will not boost productivity in the UK, pushing back on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledges to transform Britain’s work culture.
The Notebook: The rules of work are about to change – here’s what managers need to know August 27, 2024 From flexible working to generational clashes, the rules of work have changed. Recruitment expert Doug Rode has the insight on how to manage.
Britain’s paltry paternity leave is yet another thing pricing out parenthood August 10, 2024 Two weeks of paternity leave places Britain firmly near the bottom of fatherly league tables. It’s time to extend it, writes Cameron Smith After months of nervous anticipation for your first child’s arrival, the best-laid plans often go awry. As a new dad, you’ll listen closely to the birth plan your partner carefully arranges with [...]
All the best offices are embracing the Great Outdoors (so leave HSBC alone) August 8, 2024 From smoking den to outdoor zen – offices are embracing green spaces, says Lucy Arthur
The Notebook: Too many people are leaving the UK workforce. Here’s how to help July 23, 2024 Where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today, James Reed, CEO of Reed, takes the pen to talk about the UK workforce and how Labour can help lower economic inactivity How Labour can fight economic inactivity If I was in the new government, top of my in-tray would be the problem of economic [...]
When it comes to flexible working, what matters is output July 15, 2024 Debates about working from home should be based on evidence, not an inter-generational culture war, says Eliot Wilson We have been debating the benefits and challenges of “flexible working” for decades, but it was the enforced disruption of the Covid-19 lockdown which forced the issue to the top of employers’ agendas. Like many crises, the [...]