Crushing morale, killing productivity – why do offices put up with meetings?

There’s no proof that organisations benefit from the endless cycle of meetings, but we are addicted to them, writes the Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

Unhappy at work? How to spread cheer in the office

Over half of employees in the UK are not happy in their jobs. Here’s a guide for business owners who want to raise a smile from their staff

American incomes rose for second consecutive year under Obama

The 2016 census report underlines the strength of the economic recovery Obama oversaw after the worst recession in living memory

UK insurance payouts to shrink after U-turn on lump sum formula

Hefty rises in car insurance premiums will level off as industry backlash forces government to revise Ogden rate changes

Can Graphic Design Save Your Life? review – thrills, pills and big pharma

This hard-hitting exhibition explores the impact of graphic design in health and pharmaceuticals as companies seek to educate, save lives, and sell their wares

What’s stopping pharmacies doing more to reduce pressure on GPs?

Chemists can already provide vital services, such as the morning-after pill – but a new study shows they are being chronically underused

Is there such a thing as sugar addiction?

Given the choice, lab rats favour sugar over cocaine. Does that mean we are all hopelessly hooked – and what is eating too much sugar doing to our bodies?

Gemma Arterton reveals studio filmed her exercising to make her lose weight for role

Actor describes ‘traumatic’ experience at the hands of producers who flew out a personal trainer to Morocco and filmed her at the gym to prove she was exercising

UK medicines agency seizes HIV home-test kits over false result risk

More than 100 Hightop kits, which have not met EU regulations, seized as agency warns consumers against using them

From standup comedy classes to free massages – wellness at work goes mainstream

It’s not just corporate giants like Google that run impressive wellbeing schemes. Smaller businesses are coming up with innovative ways to keep staff happy