This think piece considers the implications of offering workplaces as total lifestyle solutions. When we design these spaces, who are they actually for? Do we need to consider diversity and inclusion? How does this impact corporate culture and work life balance? And… are we working to live, or living to work? Conversations about work-life balance are […]
Agile working as a boredom-busting strategy
Boredom at work is often related to doing the same thing over and over again. This could relate to anything from our job tasks themselves, to our commute, to our working hours or our working environment. We know that variety is the spice of life, so why are so many of us still trapped in […]
Problems with noise at work? A lot of it is in our heads
Baker Stuart’s Insight: The problem of noise at work is particularly important at the moment because most UK employees are now working in open plan offices that are on average about 20 percent smaller than they were ten years ago. But much of the effect of workplace noise is due to psychological factors such as context […]
Free Food May Be Good For Office Morale, But It Promotes Overeating If Kept At A Close Distance
Baker Stuart’s Insight: Whilst more and more companies are offering free food in the workplace because of it’s morale-boosting potential, there is evidence that it can promote over-eating. Researchers at Google’s New York office found that when snacks are located close to the beverage station, the likelihood of snacking almost doubles, for men and women. This […]
42% overeat or eat unhealthily because of workplace stress
Baker Stuart’s Insight: ‘Tis the season to be jolly… and to overeat. But it’s not just festive indulgence we need to think about. This research shows that 42% of workers admit to overeating and choosing unhealthy foods due to stress in the workplace. More than four in 10 (42%) employee respondents overeat or eat unhealthy foods […]
A doctor writes: keeping employees well and positive as the days get shorter
Baker Stuart’s Insight: With the days getting shorter, and winter setting in in the UK, what can we do to keep employees well and positive? Dr Preethi Dasilva offers some practical tips. Winter is coming. The clocks in the UK have just changed, and the long, dark nights are starting. There are still only a few […]
Conversations may be more productive when held in the great outdoors
Baker Stuart’s Insight: Conversations may be more productive if they are had outdoors, research from the University of Manchester and Cardiff University shows. Their findings have potential parallels in workplaces, offering more evidence that getting out of the office, and into nature, can bring benefits. As the researchers write: “our research demonstrates that natural environments can […]
Fall in number of employees who feel motivated at work
Baker Stuart’s Insight: Levels of motivation amongst UK employees are on the decline, according to a new research report. The article also shows the top reasons for feeling motivated or unmotivated, year to year: from office environments, to work life balance, to job security and incentives. Employee motivation levels appear to be the decline, with 29 […]
What is the Function of Fear in Leadership?
Baker Stuart’s Insight: Does fear have a function in terms of leadership? No, argues Amy Edmonson, in her book ‘The Fearless Organisation’. Instead, she argues that we should try to create workplaces where employees feel that their opinions count, because psychological safety builds a better organisation . Recently, the president of the United States was quoted […]
The End Of Culture Fit
Baker Stuart’s insight: Hiring processes still using the term ‘culture fit’ as a criteria are reinforcing unconscious bias. This article considers why this goes against the move towards inclusivity and diversity, and why this is important for business growth. As more companies strive for diversity and inclusion, the term “culture fit” is falling out of favor. […]
