A shorter working week could benefit society, the environment – even the economy. Is it time to reassess our relationship with our jobs? For the last year and a half, most people have fallen into one of three categories: the unemployed, whose jobs disa…
‘It’s awkward’: how UK workers hired remotely feel returning to the office
For some, finally meeting their colleagues face-to-face has come with a few nasty surprisesAlexandra was delighted when she landed a new job in the midst of the pandemic. The 55-year-old felt she had bonded with her new colleagues online and looked for…
Homes fit for a startup business – in pictures
From a spacious 18th century Derbyshire malthouse to a historic pub in east London Continue reading…
Tell us: are you going into the office after starting a new job during lockdown?
We would like to hear from people hired during the pandemic who are going into their workplaces for the first timeAre you going into the office after starting a new job during the pandemic? What’s it like meeting colleagues you’ve only ever had virtual…
Offices may harbour asthma risks, new research suggests
Study at Birmingham lung disease service points to printer toner and cleaning products as potential triggersWorking in offices can give people asthma from exposure to substances such as printer toner and cleaning products, according to new research by …
‘A kick in the teeth’: British mothers and pregnant women fear return to workplace
Companies recalling staff this month have been accused of not offering flexitime and failing to protect employeesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBefore the pandemic, every morning and night was a cycle of stress and rushing …
‘I’m utterly sick of it’: UK workers on returning to the commute
Seven people talk about how the Covid pandemic has affected their perspective on travelling to workOffices and schools about to reopen – but will commuters return?Six ways to improve your train journey to workAs September approaches, employers are incr…
Private Covid test-and-trace staff told to limit toilet and food breaks
Hays Travel home worker left feeling ‘worthless to government’ after being moved to answer 119 callsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePrivate call centre staff subcontracted to work on Covid test-and-trace services have been a…
I’m being asked to go back to the office, what are my rights in the UK?
The things you can and can’t ask for if your boss says your days of homeworking are overFirms grapple with homeworking puzzleYou can ask to work remotely on a permanent basis but your boss does not have to agree. Matt Gingell, an employment lawyer, say…
Office politics: firms still grappling with home working puzzle
Whether seen as an obstacle to overcome or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, home working is proving hard to avoidWhat are workers’ rights if they are asked to go back?As the pandemic struck wealthy economies in early 2020, workers (in white-collar job…