Ah, World Kindness Day. It makes us feel all warm and snug, every year. Hygge-like. As the international news stories tell of ever-more alarming crises, and as waves of anger seem to roll through our streets, kindness may seem like a rare occurrence these days. But that's all the more reason to uphold it. Kindness may seem scarce in the modern world, but it's also precious, and worth protecting…
We all love to say yes. It's built into our human psyche. We want to please - to feel that tiny flare of endorphins, and to see that light of satisfaction in the eyes of the person across the table. And when that other person is your boss, there's an even stronger driver to pull out all the stops. To comply with every request. To push beyond your limits…
Let’s face it, Dads: whatever your situation, choosing to have children is a really daunting prospect. Am I going to know what to do? Am I going to mess them up? How do I change a nappy? Are they going to support my favourite sports team? When am I going to spend time with them?…
It's still satisfying, isn't it? That first underfoot, autumnal crunch. It calls to the small child hiding inside each of us. But as an adult, the concept of crunch time can take on a whole new meaning. This Autumn, we've welcomed back a member of our fantastic 9-2-3 team from maternity leave. We're delighted to see her again - we've missed her fabulous sense of humour, and her innovative approach. The 9-2-3 airwaves have rung with stories of the return from our own maternity leaves. There have been increasingly enthusiastic - indeed, some might say almost frantic - attempts to pass on several attics' worth of toddler clothes and train sets…
It's something of a cliche, isn't it, to talk about our literary heroines as being brave. Fearless. Determined. But it's been a long time since we've come across a protagonist like Elizabeth Zott. An utterly deadpan trailblazer, Elizabeth is punished for the cardinal sin of being herself in the face of society's attempts to turn her into someone else.
In recent years, menopause in the workplace has become something of an – excuse the pun – hot topic. A report published last year by the cross-party Women and Equalities Committee revealed that the UK is “haemorrhaging talent” in the workplace as a result of menopausal symptoms – and of the stigma, lack of support and discrimination that can sometimes follow in their wake.
It was, as always, wonderful to see so many of the fantastic companies we work with or know at our "Flex: A Whole New World" event. As well as listening to some truly inspirational speakers, we had the chance to talk to many of you about the future of your businesses and how you see the world of flex moving forwards.
We all know that slightly bittersweet sense that the summer is drawing to a close. We try desperately to cling on to the last few weeks, pretending against all odds that the long evenings will continue forever. That the days are still full of promise. But we know, deep down, that time is marching on. September is upon us, and with it, a whisper of change is in the air.
