wire - news in brief

From fall 2024, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts will be offering Switzerland's first Bachelor's degree course in immersive technologies.

How productive are we when we work from home? It's an increasingly common question. But Gudela Grote believes it's the wrong question, because it says more about our conceptions of human nature than about effective ways of working. 2020 proved that being flexible about where we work (and the hours we work) can benefit employees and employers.

The shortage of skilled workers is particularly pronounced in technical professions. Empa supports and promotes talented individuals at all levels, be it during their apprenticeship, studies, academic career or when starting a business.

A sociological study by the University of Zurich confirms that a considerable proportion of employees perceive their work as socially useless. Employees in financial, sales and management occupations are more likely to conclude that their jobs are of little use to society. In recent years, research showed that many professionals consider their work to be socially useless.

The Institute of Nursing Science at the University of Basel has carried out a large-scale study to take the pulse of home care provision in Switzerland. The conclusion: the organizations are delivering good work - but policy decisions need to be made if they are to continue to provide their services in the future.

FMI researchers are awarded competitive grants and fellowship throughout the year, which speaks for the quality and potential of their work.

This year's Swiss HR Barometer focuses on working conditions that promote innovative behaviours amongst employees. Approaching errors in an open manner, a practice prevalent in Switzerland, has a positive effect on innovative behaviour as well as attitudes to work. Scope for improvement is found in areas such as support for new ideas, personnel development and compensation.

Higher aspirations lead to higher achievements. At least, that is true in the context of educational and occupational aspirations, as shown by a new study co-authored by economist Dr. Reto Odermatt of the University of Basel. Unrealistically high aspirations as a teenager, however, can have a negative effect on well-being as an adult.