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Employers boost incentives for wellness programs… How Google plans to make driverless cars safer… Next-Gen workers will want more from the workplace…

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Employers boost incentives for wellness programs
Employers are keen for workers to participate in their wellness programs and are offering more generous incentives for them to do so. That’s according to a report produced by Fidelity Investments and the National Business Group on Health. Having polled 121 employers they found that large companies – with over 20,000 employees – are offering an average of $878 for workers to take part. The study found that 79 per cent of employers offer wellness programs but that only 47 per cent of employees participate despite the incentives. There is currently scrutiny of the programs by various groups and by Congress with some believing they are a violation of anti-discrimination laws.
 
How Google plans to make driverless cars safer
Google has answered a question that was a worry; how will they make their planned driverless cars safe to be around other vehicles and pedestrians? The answer it seems is airbags. Airbags like the ones we’re all familiar with but on the outside of the vehicle! The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted protection for Google’s design with airbags concealed inside bumpers. Still sound dangerous? Fear not, the airbag will be made from material a little like memory foam used in mattresses and pillows. So being hit by a Google car will be like being in a pillow fight? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
 
Next-Gen workers will want more from the workplace
The next generation of employees will expect a different workplace landscape to what has gone before. A British study found that the expectations of today’s 13-17 year olds is set to cause some issues for employers in the coming years. Top of the list is technology with 90 per cent wanting to choose the technology they use in the workplace. However that’s assuming they are even in the workplace with 86 per cent expecting remote and flexible working and 60 per cent wanting to work for themselves. While these expectations may create risk of conflict between the needs of the business and the talent pool there is also good news from the report. The next-gen workforce will have the knowledge and technical ability to drive innovation in businesses and will embrace new ways of working quickly. 

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