Flexible working

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    Making good work the foundation

    In 2024, for the first time, the UK dropped out of the list of the top 20 happiest countries: according to the World Happiness Index. This year, the UK rests in 23rd place, slightly ahead of the US and behind the Nordic countries, Germany, the UAE and others.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 07 April 2025

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    Review leader says “new era of workplace health” must solve long-term sick crisis

    Employers must “adapt with the times,” the leader of a major government review has urged, which confirms record numbers of people suffering from work-limiting health conditions and increasing joblessness due to mental ill health.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 20 March 2025

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    Poor-quality work “worse for health than being unemployed”, says report

    1.7 million workers in Great Britain suffer from health conditions caused or made worse by their job – higher than before the pandemic, a new report has found.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 13 March 2025

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    MPs push for four-day week amendment to Employment Rights Bill

    More than a dozen Members of Parliament have backed a proposed amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, calling for the Government to take a closer look at how the UK could transition to a four-day working week without a reduction in pay.

    By Kerry Reals on 14 February 2025

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    Adaptability, ergonomics and wellbeing: building blocks for the workplace in 2025

    Employee expectations around the nature and organisation of office, home and hybrid working have changed significantly in recent years, making it more important than ever for employers to rethink and update their approaches to flexible working, ergonomics and workplace design, to better support employee wellbeing, motivation and job satisfaction.

    By Guy Osmond, Osmond Ergonomics and Alex Reffell, Osmond Inclusive Wellbeing Services on 04 February 2025

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    Supporting wellbeing across the flexible extended workplace: why we need a different approach

    Flexible working has been shown to offer numerous benefits, from improved employee wellbeing to greater productivity. But the rapidly changing nature of work in a digital age means employers need to take a strategic, joined-up approach when implementing flexible working practices, if they are to fully realise the benefits.

    By Andy Lake, Flexibility.co.uk on 04 February 2025

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    Why ‘return to the office’ mandates from UK Government agencies ignore the wellbeing, environmental and financial benefits of flexible working

    In the last half decade, the UK economy has stagnated, we’ve had a small recession, an inflation spike, Brexit, and a pandemic. All of this has affected the world of work, and workers’ living standards.

    By Fran Heathcote, Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union on 03 February 2025

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    Supporting wellbeing when working from home: some key tips

    Home and hybrid working are now firmly established as regular working patterns for significant numbers of people, so it’s a good time for employers to revisit their arrangements for supporting the wellbeing of home workers – from ensuring good ergonomic workstation set-ups to encouraging regular rest breaks.

    By Nigel Oseland, Workplace Unlimited on 31 January 2025

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    Work-life balance trumps pay as top motivator for workers, survey finds

    Work-life balance has surpassed pay to become the most important factor for workers, a new global survey carried out by international recruitment firm Randstad has found.

    By Kerry Reals on 21 January 2025

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    Changes to employment rights – what every employer should know

    The UK Government has announced a number of planned legislative and related measures aimed at making work more flexible, family-friendly and secure, but forward-thinking employers can get started now by taking steps to ensure a good work-life balance and provide ‘good’ work that supports wellbeing, morale and fair conditions.

    By Amy Butterworth, Timewise on 02 December 2024