Another week, another ‘Wave’ 🗞️

5 news items from the world of work and workplace that you can digest in 5 minutes.

This week:

The 'office apocalypse' is upon us

UK employees given flexible working rights

What work will look like in 2023

End of an Era: The 'office apocalypse' is upon us, reports Insider . Pre-pandemic, 95% of offices were occupied but today that number is closer to 47%. Employees not returning to downtown offices has had a domino effect: Less foot traffic, less public-transit use, and more shuttered businesses have caused many downtowns to feel more like ghost towns. The economic health of cities is intrinsically linked to how space is used. It's not clear yet what today's empty skyscrapers will become, but what is clear is that an office-centric downtown is soon to be a thing of the past. Read Full Article.

New Legislation: UK employees are to be given more flexible working rights, the government announced this week. Rather than waiting 26 weeks, workers will have the right to ask for home and hybrid-working arrangements from the first day of a new job under measures to promote flexible working. Peter Cheese , chief executive of the CIPD , said: "This new right will help normalize conversations about flexibility at the start of the employment relationship, with significant benefits for employees in terms of wellbeing and work-life balance." Read Full Article. 

Time for Change: Almost 50% of U.S. employees work remotely, according to a recent WFH study. In turn, Analytics AIML says companies must prepare for permanent hybrid work. “Employers are still using old management methods designed for the industrial age in the post-COVID era. It's not working. And history shows that once a benefit is given it is hard to take it away. So, now we must think of how technology and new management methods can help us to work more efficiently and smarter." Read Full Article. 

2023 Trends: Hybrid work will become the norm, reports Poly . 2023 will see “greater flexibility and productivity being achieved from locations as diverse as coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, holiday homes, and we see a whole new breed of huddle rooms and collaborative spaces revamping the office buildings,” says Vincent LaRocca , Senior VP at Poly at HP. “Innovations in technology and changing demands of employees will enforce new ways to distribute work hours during the week. 9-5 at a single location will erode further in 2023 and it will be replaced by practices that enable employees to be more productive while enjoying a better life-work balance.” Looking forward to it! Read Full Article.

Office of the Future: Does the 4-day week actually work? A trial to gauge whether it is possible to do the same work in fewer hours (but for the same pay) is finally drawing to a close. A report by 4 Day Week - Global found that “physical and mental health, and work-life balance and satisfaction increased.” While revenues rose about 8 per cent over the trial, “absenteeism was reduced and resignations declined slightly.” Take a look at what these four companies discovered… Read Full Article.