Microshifting and shedworking

 

A new report from recruitment consultancy Robert Walters of 2,000 people reveals some interesting trends for hybrid shedworkers and other people who work from home. 

Its figures indicated that a third of managers have some kind of informal flexible working agreements with employees which may not be their company's stated policy. On the other hand, three quarters are dissatisfied with their company’s public flexible working strategy.

Which is where 'microshifters' come in. These are people chopping up their working time so that they get the same amount of work done but this way is a better fit for their personal circumstances e.g. starting earlier, finishing later, and spreading breaks throughout the day.

The Robert Walters research shows that just under two thirds of workers want a microshifting policy to be adopted where they work, and interestingly 4 out of 10 add that it would in fact encourage them to spend more days in the office very week. 

Just over half of employers questioned said they expected staff to be present in the office for three or more days per week, but a third said they would be happy to experiment with microshifting and more than 40% thought microshifting could improve engagement levels.

“Microshifting is a more transparent version of the unofficial flexible working arrangements that already exist in many UK organisations," said Lucy Bisset, Director of Robert Walters North. "For managers and senior leaders, the question is whether it should be governed by trust and outcomes or quietly negotiated between colleagues. While fears of microshifting fuelling disengagement are justified, the reality is that rigid working patterns are already pushing professionals to seek workarounds."

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK

 

Arctic Cabin garden office

An interesting view from the inside of an Arctic Cabins used as a garden office for a therapy and counselling business, showing off the intriguing ceiling, internaal structure, and marvellous window.

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

 

   

Historic pasturing huts registered by archaeologists

A collection of shielings – roughly constructed huts used while pasturing animals – in a mature Forestry and Land Scotland timber block near Inveraray in Argyll and Bute have been officially recorded, highlighting the benefits of the way in which forestry is now done.  

Shielings were used in Scotland for at least 2,000 years, from the end of the Iron Age until they were largely phased out in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, in remote areas like the Outer Hebrides they continued to be used until the mid-20th century. The shelters were part of the seasonal farming practice of transhumance that involved moving livestock to upland pastures during the summer months.

Tucked away in a little bend in Allt nam Muc burn, the Inveraray shielings - pictured above - had not previously been recorded on any historic maps but thanks to the environmental survey conducted by FLS staff, the remains of the historic structures are now registered as part of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service’s (WoSAS) records.

“A large part of my job is doing checks before any operational work is started including ahead of any harvesting work," said FLS Environment Ranger Megan Curtis who submitted the details of the shielings. "This is to identify and then protect vulnerable wildlife and habitats along with any historical features. With this information operational colleagues can meet environmental and conservation standards.

“The shielings are surrounded by mature conifers and past practices may not have demanded that specific measures were taken to protect and record them. But today, there is a strong focus on ensuring the natural and cultural heritage on the land we manage is protected, conserved and enhanced.

“FLS policy is to put a buffer around shielings and other historical structures to protect their heritage features when planting new forests along with working with relevant organisations to record and preserve them. At this site, we will carefully remove any regeneration and put a buffer around the shielings to protect them from future felling and restocking operations. WoSAS, logs, updates and provides advice on managing heritage features in the area. It’s amazing to see the number of historic features their maps show and it’s important for FLS to continue to contribute to this important database.”

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company

 

Friday Finery: Garden office library

This marvellous library in the garden by Koru Architects for a children's writer was shortlisted for the RIBA Downland Prize in 2006. Raised on timber stilts and built on Passivhaus principles while inspired by Japanese architecture, features include a wooden ramp access, rainwater collection system, and lovely views of the Kent countryside, reflecting the brief that called for a garden office building that would feel connected to nature. 

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information

Garden office haven

A 4.3m x 2.4m garden office in Hampstead, London, from Eden Garden Rooms set in a lovely established garden. The office is sited on the existing concrete footprint of an unused greenhouse and has two fixed floor to ceiling windows and a third similarly-sized opening glass door to offer smashing views onto the garden.

Other features include underfloor heating and oak-engineered wood flooring, an infrared sauna, and bespoke glazine.

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK

Britain's best shed saunas

While technically the title of Hoxton Mini Press's latest book is Britain's Best Saunas by Lucie Grace, it does happily feature plenty of shedlike constructions around the country including repurposed horseboxes as well as the Beach Box Spa on Brighton beach above and the Sea Scrub Sauna at Margate below. As the publishers say, "Discover where to reconnect with nature, learn age-old rituals or simply soothe sore muscles. Grab your towel and soak up the heat."

 

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

Garden office tutoring room

 

Here's a 6m x 4m Cabin Master garden room in Lincolnshire built for Becky and Ben who use it as an HQ to run their Reading Doctor literacy tuition company. It's cedar-cladded with a zero-maintenance Marley back, and as well as office space it also doubles up in the evening as a family cinema room and general social space.

Here's what Becky says about it: 

"It's been kind of life-changing really. I always feel quite excited when I come out here into my garden room. But also your head's clear when you're out here. You're looking out onto the garden, you're away from the dishwasher and the washing and all the other things that I've left inside and closed the door on. So to come out here, I just feel clear-headed, and have a lot of fun thrown in as well!"

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company