Workplace Insight

Architecture, News, Workplace design The transformation of one of London’s busiest transport hubs and a major mixed-use commercial development has secured a place on the shortlist for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, highlighting the growing prominence of workplace-led regeneration among the UK’s most celebrated new buildings. Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Paddington Square is one of six projects shortlisted for British architecture’s most prestigious award.

AI, News, Workplace Most senior business leaders expect artificial intelligence to lead to workforce growth and job redesign rather than widespread redundancies, according to new global research from commercial real estate firm JLL.

News, Workplace Organisations that encourage stronger inter-generational collaboration between different groups of employees are more likely to see improvements in innovation, trust and business performance, according to new research from employee recognition firm O.C. Tanner.

Company news, Facilities management Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it’s a snack machine or nothing. They’re half right. The canteen isn’t the problem — the model is. And the model has changed. Ask a facilities manager what their canteen actually costs, and you’ll rarely get a clean figure.

News, Wellbeing An event at the Palace of Westminster this week will bring together politicians, business leaders and figures from the entertainment industry to discuss ways of improving employment opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent people. The reception, organised by inclusive entertainment company 0UTLYER, takes place on 15 July and coincides with the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Disability Employment.

News, Wellbeing Financial pressures are prompting many new mothers to return to work before the end of their statutory maternity leave, according to new polling from campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed. The organisation’s State of the Nation 2026 survey, conducted in partnership with Women in Data, suggests the impact is greatest on single parents, lower income families and parents of disabled children.

AI, Comment The gap between AI adoption and leadership readiness is becoming one of the defining challenges facing organisations today. According to Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workforce report, only one in five employees believe their manager actively supports their team’s use of artificial intelligence, while just one in four say their organisation has communicated a clear strategy for integrating the technology into work.

AI, Comment, Technology Businesses are moving quickly to bring artificial intelligence into the workplace, exploring how it can support everything from recruitment and workforce planning to performance management and employee services. Employee confidence in this technology, however, is struggling to keep up. Research suggests only 46 percent of people say they trust AI systems, while almost a third (31 percent) of employees are concerned they could be replaced by the technology.

Comment, Flexible working, Wellbeing, Workplace design If you look around most offices at midday on a Tuesday, you will likely see a variation of the same scene: employees sitting at their desks with headphones in and responding to Slack messages while eating lunch. The physical environment of the workplace may still be thoughtfully designed, with ergonomic furniture, curated lighting and acoustic panels; however, the atmosphere often still feels flat.

News, Workplace design The Government Property Agency (GPA) has published a revised version of its Government Workplace Design Guide, introducing a new office design framework intended to standardise the layout of government offices while reflecting changes in the way civil servants work.