Tag: men

LinkedIn Data Shows 1 in 10 Jobs Allow Staff To Work From Home

Ireland continues to lead the way for flexible working according to new LinkedIn data published today, which saw the country ranked first for the availability of remote roles, with 9.1% of job postings on the platform in August. Ireland also ranked second in Europe for hybrid jobs, with 37% of jobs postings on LinkedIn categorised as hybrid working, closely behind the United Kingdom (39.3% share of all job postings.) Remote roles also remain some of the most competitive jobs on LinkedIn, making up 15.4% of job applications in EMEA, with Ireland seeing even greater level of demand at 20.1%.
Women faced with a ‘double edged sword’ as a result of flexible work
While flexible working has brought about many benefits for professionals in terms of work life balance, a new research paper published by LinkedIn has revealed that it also presents a double edged sword for women. LinkedIn international data shows that men consistently advance faster than women, with 10% of men promoted within 65 months, compared to 74 months for women.
The research revealed that this gap varies depending on flexible working, with on-site roles offering the fastest route for a promotion. Flexible arrangements reduce this gap, but only because progression slows for both men and women. On site roles saw 10% of men promoted within 64 months, with 10% of women achieving this within 68 months. Hybrid roles, however, saw delayed promotional opportunities, with men and women being promoted within 70 months and 72 months respectively. So while flexible work roles lead to greater parity between genders, staff based on site are promoted faster at the expense of slower progression for women.
Demand for AI talent continues to soar
LinkedIn’s data continues to highlight soaring demand for AI talent. AI engineering roles now represent nearly 7% of all technical job postings on LinkedIn – a 63% year-over-year increase. Demand is not limited to technical roles – knowing how to work with AI agents is the fastest-growing skill in 2025, and AI literacy capabilities such as prompt engineering have surged more than 70% in postings across fields like marketing and design.
Commenting on the latest data, LinkedIn Ireland Country Manager Cara O’Leary said: “Our data has consistently shown that Ireland continues to lead the way for remote and hybrid work opportunities, demonstrating how flexibility has become firmly established as a defining feature of our jobs market. Professionals are clearly embracing the benefits of choice in how and where they work, with Ireland seeing even stronger demand for remote roles than our European peers. This shows just how fundamental flexible working has become to attracting and retaining top talent, as employers continue to adapt to shifting expectations.”
“At the same time, our research highlights that flexible working is not without its challenges – particularly for women, who continue to face slower progression in the workplace. While hybrid arrangements help to narrow the gender promotion gap, they do so largely by slowing advancement for everyone. These findings underline the importance of companies being intentional about how they support career development in flexible environments, while also preparing for the next wave of change as AI reshapes roles and skills across industries.”

370,000 adults in Ireland have a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announces the results of its annual Connected Lives survey which reveals 370,000 adults in Ireland have engaged in a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months. The research indicates a growing interest in AI for romantic connections, with a further 12% of adults – almost half-a-million people – revealing they wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

The nationally representative survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom, surveying 1,001 adults in Ireland. The research examines the evolving relationship between humans and AI, in particular their personal relationships with chatbots such as ChatGPT or Gemini. As the lines between humans and technology become increasingly blurred, chatbots have opened the door for people to explore a new form of emotional connection.

Much like with human partners, AI ‘relationships’ are formed when an individual develops a sense of attachment to an AI chatbot through the sharing of daily experiences and engaging in deep conversations. The bot reciprocates this affection and can recall previous conversations, thus building a rapport and reinforcing the recipient’s perception of a relationship.

Pure Telecom’s research revealed that in the last 12 months, 13% of men have conducted a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot. This is almost double the 7% reported by women. Across age groups, the figure was highest among 25-34-year-olds at 16%.

The survey also indicated an openness among many to conduct a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot at some point in time. Almost half-a-million (12% of adults) wouldn’t rule out a relationship with an AI bot in the future. In keeping with this outlook, 20% believe romantic relationships with AI would be less complicated than humans ones. A further 10% maintain romantic relationships with AI are a good way to practice real life relationships. This belief is higher among men at 16% in comparison to women at just 6%.

The humanisation of chatbots doesn’t end there. Almost one in five (19%) of adults speak to AI like it’s a friend, while 36% admit to saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their AI chatbot. Furthermore, 18% use it to research health symptoms and treatments, while one-in-10 use it as a form of therapy and to get life advice. The same proportion use it to prepare for difficult conversations, like a break-up or confrontation.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “This research highlights the pivotal role that AI is beginning to play not just in our professional lives, but our personal ones also. As people and technology become increasingly integrated, and AI becomes progressively more advanced, adults in Ireland have found it to be an unexpected source of emotional connection. The recent AI boom means that these bots are now readily accessible to all of us – and there’s no agony of waiting around for a reply!

“While relationships with bots may seem unconventional, it underscores the remarkable capacity of artificial intelligence to foster connections as it becomes increasingly responsive to our needs. The use of these large language models (LLMs) requires fast, reliable internet access and as a provider of this, we at Pure Telecom are excited by the possibilities that AI unlocks. However, it is no replacement for the rewarding spontaneity and depth of human connection.”

Maxcom launches Bijouwatch collection in the UK

Maxcom, an innovative Polish company producing and distributing consumer electronics, today launches its Bijouwatch collection in the UK, a new range of elegant and fashionable jewellery smartwatches, that seamlessly blend the latest technology with high-quality materials and sophisticated design.  

The Bijouwatch collection from Maxcom is designed for those who value both style and functionality. For women, the range includes the Maxcom Selen and Maxcom Gold and Silver 2. Reminiscent of traditional, elegant jewellery with eye catching gold, rose gold and silver bracelets, these stunning smartwatches are perfect for any occasion and every taste.

For men, Maxcom has created a range of attractive watches that are packed full of smart features. Perfect for work or working out, the Maxcom Iron S features a rectangular screen and striking black, gold or silver metal strap whilst the robust Maxcom Iron R has a sleek black design and stainless steel band. The unisex Maxcom Vanad Pro combines advanced tech features with a jewellry design and is available in rose gold and black editions.

All smartwatches within the Bijouwatch collection have a focus on wellbeing, monitoring physical activity and vital functions such as sleep, heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, female health tracking features allow women to track their menstrual cycles, fertile periods and even pregnancy. Helping to take fitness to the next level, multiple sports modes allow users to record and analyse their daily activity. 

Compatible with iOS and Android the Bijouwatch smartwatches seamlessly connect to a user’s smartphone for call notifications, messages, weather updates and more. Additionally, Maxcom has ensured Bijouwatch smartwatches have long battery lives of up to 21 days, keeping users connected at all times. 

Bijouwatch, a term created and patented by Maxcom, represents the fusion of fashion and advanced technology. Affordable with prices starting from £59.99, models within the collection include: 

Maxcom Gold and Silver 2  

RRP: £79.99 

Available in gold and silver from Amazon

With similar features to the Selen, the Maxcom Gold and Maxcom Silver smartwatches combine a classic look with advanced technology. Designed to look and feel like a stunning piece of jewellery, its round stainless steel body and shiny gold or silver bracelet accessorise any outfit perfectly. 

The 1.2-inch AMOLED touch screen is bright and easy to read. Always-On-Display mode allows users to display the time on a blank screen, giving it the feel of a traditional watch. Users can choose from unique, original dials or from over 100 free watch faces that are available in the app.

They seamlessly connect to a user’s smartphone for call notifications, messages, weather updates and more. Additionally, its efficient battery lasts for up to seven days without charging. 

Health and fitness is also a focus for the Gold and Silver 2 with lots of features to benefit a user’s wellbeing. As well as continuously measuring pulse and blood pressure, the smartwatch motivates users to engage in daily activity, analyses sleep quality, suggests breathing exercises, measures stress and mood and sends reminders to stay hydrated. Dedicated female focussed features allow women to track their menstrual cycle, fertile periods and pregnancy. A versatile fitness trainer, it also counts calories burned, distance travelled and supports over 70 sports disciplines, allowing users to track their progress over time and achieve their goals.  

 

Maxcom Vanad Pro

RRP: £59.99 

Available from Amazon in rose gold and black

The Maxcom Vanad Pro is a stylish and elegant jewellery smartwatch which combines the highest quality materials with advanced functions. Available in gold or black, it has that classic clock face look but with a modern twist thanks to its AMOLED screen, which provides users with a beautiful high definition display. Users can display the time in analogue or digital or choose from a whole range of dials and vibrant designs to suit their personal style. 

With a slim, timeless design, Vanad Pro sits comfortably on the wrist without interfering with daily activities. It comes with a minimalist metal bracelet strap as well as a silicone strap making it perfect for a special occasion, work or working out. Compatible with iOS and Android, users can answer calls, read messages, set alarms and more without having to touch their phone. It has an exceptionally long battery life of up to 21 days as well as fast, inductive charging. 

With a focus on wellness, the Vanad Pro enables users to track their daily activity and achievements. It has more than 20 sports modes, counts steps, calories burned and monitors blood pressure and heartrate. Modern optical sensors detect any physical activity based on an accelerated heart rate and these moments are automatically recorded in the daily report. An easy-to-use application allows users to compare and analyse their results. 

The Vanad Pro also allows users to monitor their sleep, analysing quality including the duration of deep and light phases. Additionally, it has many innovative features specifically designed for women including a women’s health monitor, menstrual cycle monitor, pregnancy preparation and pregnancy calendar.  

 

Maxcom Selen 

Coming to Amazon in gold and silver soon

Combining style and technology, the Selen offers an ultra-thin profile and classic round shape. The perfect choice for smaller wrists, this jewellery like smartwatch is made from stainless steel with a shimmering rose gold or silver bracelet. Users can choose from exclusive, designer watch faces that can be changed according to an outfit, occasion or mood. Ranging from digital to analogue, colourful to subdued, there are over 100 designs in the dedicated app, allowing users to express their individual style and personality. 

The Selen features a large 1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen which is sharp and clear with vibrant colours. It’s Always-On-Display (AOD) mode prevents the screen going dark meaning users can quickly check the time or see notifications at a glance. 

With a focus on wellbeing, the Selen reminds users to drink water, alerts them if they’ve taken too few steps and analyses their sleep. Additionally, it monitors heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure, notifying users when results deviate from the norm. For those who like to keep active, the Selen supports over 70 sports, counting calories burned and motivating users to achieve better results. 

Offering up to 10 days of battery life and connecting seamlessly to smartphones, making and taking calls directly from the watch as well as reading messages and app notifications is easy. The Selen displays the weather, allows users to listen to music and has a host of other features.

 

Maxcom Iron R 

RRP: £89.99

Available from Amazon

Designed to straddle both business and adventure the Maxcom Iron R smartwatch has everything needed to support working life, while maintaining good health. Constructed from robust zinc alloy with a luxury-traditional appearance, it comes with both a steel bracelet and a premium quality magnetic silicone strap to fit perfectly on a larger wrist. 

Equipped with a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, Iron R offers vivid colours and exceptional image depth. For those who appreciate classic style, Iron R offers a traditional watch face with the option to choose between analogue and digital screens. Alternatively, a database of over 100 free watch faces and the ability to set an image from the phone gallery lets users express their style and personality. 

The Iron R is packed with smartwatch features allowing users to set reminders, alarms and quickly respond to messages and calls or social media notifications without reaching for their phone.  

The advanced health features offer constant heart rate, blood oxygen and blood pressure monitoring, sleep analysis and sports tracking that has over 70 modes for recording workouts and monitoring progress over time, thanks to an intuitive app. Fast charging and a generous battery yields 14 days of life from one charge. 

 

Maxcom Iron S

RRP: £89.99

Available from Amazon in black, silver and gold

The Maxcom Iron S smartwatch has very similar features to the Maxcom Iron R, yet its classy, traditional design makes it more suited for a business environment or for adding character to casual styles. Made from elegant brushed steel and available in black, gold and silver, the Iron S has a rectangular face with soft rounded corners which gives it a stylish, timeless look. 

Blending tradition with modern technology, it has a 1.95-inch AMOLED screen providing users with an immersive, vibrant display. With an always-on display option, users can check the time without activating the screen, choosing between analogue or digital watch faces. Alternatively, they can choose from the hundreds of designs or upload their own image to give the smartwatch a unique character. 

As with the Iron R, this smartwatch serves as a personal assistant, helping users manage daily tasks, set reminders, alarms and quickly respond to messages and calls. It also has 24/7 health monitoring, over 70 sports modes and sleep analysis. Fast charging and the long-lasting performance of a 340mAh battery allow up to 16 days of use with one charge. 

Available now from Amazon.co.uk.

See our smartwatch reviews

Best Apps for Men: Losing Weight the Smart Way

What Makes the Best Lose Weight App for Men?

For men looking to shed some weight successfully, the best weight loss app should be comprehensive and tailored to their individual needs. 

A great weight loss motivation app like Lasta should be user-friendly and offer resources that make weight loss an achievable goal. It should also provide regular encouragement, useful diet tips, helpful exercise ideas, progress-tracking tools, and advice about how to develop better eating habits.

Finding the right app can make a big difference for men looking to lose weight. The best weight loss apps offer users easy-to-understand tracking and monitoring features, convenient reminders to stay on track, and goal-setting capabilities to keep users motivated. But beyond these basic features, look for things like integrated exercise programs and meal plans that allow you to personalize your approach while also providing professional guidance. 

When searching for the best weight loss app for men, consider the overall user experience to ensure it’s something you can use daily without becoming discouraged or confused.

Finally, an effective weight loss app for men should create personalized plans based on their unique lifestyle and health needs in order to ensure that they lose weight in a sustainable and healthy manner.

Tips on How to Maximize Your Results With a Lose Weight App 

1. Pay attention to the First 5%–10%

Consider the major health advantages that can result from even modest weight loss rather than telling yourself that you need to lose 25 pounds and challenging yourself with what seems like an impossible goal.

Establish more manageable goals. You can significantly improve your health and reduce your risk of conditions, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer, by losing just 5% to 10% of your total body weight (TBW).

2. Implement long-term changes to your lifestyle and behavior

Avoid using the word “diet” when attempting to lose weight. When you’re trying to lose some weight, you don’t want to continuously think about food because dieting may be displeasing and make you hungry.

You don’t have complete control over the number on the scale when it comes to weight loss, but you do have control over what you eat, how much you walk, and other factors like stress and sleep that affect your weight.

3. Consume more plants

According to research, a plant-based diet encourages weight loss and is more straightforward to follow than a low-calorie diet. Additionally, it is nutrient-rich and offers a host of health advantages.

Produce aids in weight loss because it is high in fiber and water. These are the two nutrients that have no calories but fill you up and make you feel full.

Green smoothies for breakfast, salads or shaved veggies for lunch, fruit for snacks, and sweets are all healthy choices. Have different stir-fries for dinner, add vegetables to your pasta dishes, and stir them into your soups.

4. Don’t skip breakfast

Avoiding breakfast will not aid in weight loss. You can be deficient in essential nutrients and end up nibbling more frequently throughout the entire day because of hunger.

Reviewing the 8 Most Popular Weight Loss Apps for Men

You can learn how to eat more healthily with the help of a variety of premium and free applications. Finding one that supports a variety of healthy foods in proportions that are suitable for your needs is crucial.

The top 8 weight loss apps for guys, suitable for different lifestyles, are listed below:

Lasta app

Lasta is a popular weight loss app designed specifically for men looking to control their health and fitness. This intuitive mobile app provides users with tailored meal plans, step-by-step workout guides, daily reminders, and more to help keep them on track throughout their weight loss journey. 

It also includes insightful tracking tools to track progress and monitor dietary choices, so users can adjust their lifestyle as needed to reach their goals. 

With its easy-to-use design and comprehensive features, this app is the perfect tool for any man wanting to achieve healthier results with his diet and exercise plan.

MyFitnessPal

With the help of this app, you can effortlessly keep track of all of your meals, workouts, and sleeping habits, as well as get advice on how many calories you should burn each day to reach your weight reduction objectives.

You will only frequently be typing in new meals because of their extensive food database, which is a result of their immense popularity. It is especially beneficial if you wish to try weight loss on your own and have a basic understanding of fitness and nutrition.

Rise

This app pairs you with a registered dietitian (RD) based on your nutritional objectives and pushes you to take images of everything you eat so your RD can give you feedback almost daily.

While the R.D.s connected to the app can undoubtedly aid in weight loss, it can also be an excellent alternative if you’re looking to gain weight, enhance athletic performance, or add muscle mass (especially given how many different weight-loss apps there are).

Fooducate

Although this app now has the ability to track your diet and activity, its original focus was on a UPC scanner that might help you decide whether or not to put the packaged food you were thinking of purchasing in your cart. 

It sort of assigns a rating to the food alerts you to any ingredients you should be wary about and suggests healthier alternatives.

Noom

Noom shows up a team of behavioral health experts who’ve researched oncology, hypertension, diabetes prevention and management, and more to design a curriculum that addresses the cause of weight loss struggles. Its dieters learn to focus on their mindset before they focus on meals.

The app’s philosophy is, “once you determine the things you’re ready to work on, your mindset will help you form new neural connections over time to change your habits.”

PlateJoy

One of the premium service meal planning applications, it lets you define objectives like weight loss and select from a variety of nutritional regimens like keto, dairy-free, paleo, and more.

Additionally, it offers the flexibility to specify various portion sizes for each member of your household, as well as the ability to filter out substances that you like to avoid.

WW app

A reputable weight loss program that has been proven to work is WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers.

Based on their calorie density and nutrient content, foods and beverages are given point values under the WW points system. Most notably, there are no forbidden foods.

Lose It!

Using the app’s database of more than 33 million foods, restaurant items, and brands, you can quickly track your food intake after creating a plan.

The software includes a barcode scanner and a customized recipe creator, among other things, to make tracking your intake even simpler. Additionally, it remembers the meals you type regularly so you can choose them fast from a list that is unique to you.

How to Pick the Right App For Your Weight Loss Goals?

There are a few major considerations when it comes to finding the right app to help you reach your weight loss goals. 

  1. First, consider your current lifestyle and needs. There is an enormous variety of weight loss apps available, so it’s important to find one that suits your lifestyle and fits into your routine. 
  2. Additionally, look at different features such as meal trackers, nutritional information, personal coaching tools, and exercise tracking tools to determine which one better fits into your plan. Finally, ask yourself what kind of support you’d like when trying to lose weight. 
  3. Lastly, compare pricing so that you’re getting the most value for your money. Finding the right app can be overwhelming, but by following these few steps, you will be able to make an informed decision toward achieving your desired result.

Conclusion: Get Started on Your Health & Fitness Journey with the Right App Today!

Making a commitment to your health and fitness journey doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. 

The right app can give you the power to stay on track by providing all the essential information along with helping you stay organized and up-to-date. You can stay in control of your journey toward better health through a user-friendly interface, tailored meal/workout plans, exercise customization, and access to quality tracking data and reporting.

Whether you aim for weight loss or muscle gain, identify the right app that meets your needs today and start unlocking your overall performance potential.

Workhuman survey shows 57% of women in Ireland feel obligated to work while sick, versus 34% of men

Workhuman, the company revolutionising the way employees celebrate, connect with, and appreciate each other in the workplace, is today announcing the results of a survey which highlights men and women’s perceived obligations when it comes to working remotely in Ireland, as well as the impact that their job has on their mental wellbeing. The research found that more than half (57%) of women in Ireland feel obligated to work while sick when working remotely, compared with just a third (34%) of men. It also found that women in Irish workplaces (40%) are more likely than men (32%) to feel mentally exhausted and drained after the working day.

Despite these disparities, Workhuman’s survey found that women and men are equally likely to feel respected at work in Ireland. The research showed that 65% of women working in Ireland feel respected in their jobs, compared to 64% of men. Meanwhile, over half (55%) of both women and men are likely to feel appreciated for their work.

The survey was carried out by Dynata on behalf of Workhuman across 2,268 full-time employees in Ireland, the UK, the U.S., and Canada. The aim of the research was to explore the state of human connection at work. It found that while men and women are equally likely to feel respected and appreciated at work, women are more likely to value diversity and inclusion in the workplace. When it comes to staying at their organisation, some 84% of women reported that diversity and inclusion is important to them, compared to 73% of men. Meanwhile, men working in Ireland (49%) are slightly more likely than women (42%) to see a clear path for growth within their organisation.

The research also provided insights into the experiences of parents working in Ireland. It found that parents are less likely to feel respected at work than parents in the UK, U.S., or Canada combined (64% vs 72%), while 60% were more likely to feel overworked in the last 12 months compared to 52% of their global counterparts and 40% of non-parents working in Ireland.

Niamh Graham, Senior Vice President Global Human Experience, Workhuman, said: “This research highlights work practices and sentiments in a post-pandemic world and allows us to observe how Irish workers fare against their global counterparts. Women working remotely in Ireland clearly feel significantly more pressure to work while they are unwell, compared to their male colleagues. Whether this is external or internal pressure, it is something that must be addressed by every organisation as they strive to create more human-led workforces.

“We know from our own research that gender bias still exists in Irish – and global – workplaces. Managers must not only ensure that they themselves are treating everyone equally, but they must also be aware of how their team members are perceiving and acting upon their roles and obligations, and make sure that the workload is not disproportionately distributed based on a person’s gender, race or otherwise.

“Despite the differing attitudes highlighted in our research, it is encouraging to see that both women and men feel equally respected and appreciated at work in Ireland. Showing appreciation and recognising employees is not only good for the human, but also good for business.

“It is clear that more needs to be done to support working parents in organisations across the board. Fostering a culture of belonging and taking the time to understand and get to know employees as people, who have rich lives outside of work, starts with putting wellbeing at the centre of your HR strategy. Employers need to continue to build a culture of recognition and appreciation, especially in the decentralised workplace where conscious efforts should be made to connect with employees.”