One in three millennials rely on caffeine to stay productive at work, data finds
21% of people in the UK said they drink coffee or energy drinks to boost productivity.
Latest
Rising fuel costs push up business travel expenses, says Rydoo CEO
Marchon noted that as ongoing geopolitical tension, cancellations and delays continue, more employees are being stranded or forced to rebook travel at short notice.
Pensioners urged to be alert to Winter Fuel Payment scams
Over the last 12 months, HM Revenue and Customs received more than 25,000 scam referrals related to the Winter Fuel Payment.
PPF surplus falls by £9.9bn in April despite higher funding ratio
Total scheme assets dropped by 4.8% to £1,105.0bn, while total scheme liabilities were down 5.2% to £841.2bn.
Backlog of pension scheme buyouts grows despite record conversions – BW
The survey from Barnett Waddingham (BW) showed nearly 160 DB pension schemes converted their buy-ins to buyouts in 2025, up 30% from the previous year.
Rygor career hub attracts 13,000 users in first year
Automotive group’s online careers platform sees strong uptake, with CV and interview resources proving most popular among jobseekers.
Liquidation Centre urges employers to tackle workplace stress amid rising absences
Richard Hunt said: “Stress Awareness Month should encourage businesses across the UK to slow things down and really listen."
Compensation & Benefits
Benifex appoints Mohamad Awada as chief services officer to drive customer outcomes
Awada will lead the company’s professional services and consulting functions from London, focusing on improving implementation speed.
Broadstone strengthens employee benefits consulting team with new appointment
Jordan Ring brings over 16 years’ experience in the employee benefits sector.
Recruitment & HR
Employment among older workers falls as ‘CV botoxing’ rises – Employment Hero
Employment among baby boomers at UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) fell 5.8% year-on-year in February.
CIPD warns union workplace access rules could strain employment relations
The warning follows the Government’s response to its consultation on trade union right of access, which sets out timelines for how unions can engage with workplaces.
SMEs increasingly reassess HR tech spend amid economic pressure
Expert Market found that 73% of U.S. SMEs are currently re-evaluating their tech investments.
Skills shortages named top hiring challenge for employers, study finds
YouGov found that 38% of employers expect sourcing qualified talent to be one of their most significant hiring challenges this year.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Mariella Frostrup appointed Women’s Employment Ambassador in workplace health push
The newly created role expands on Frostrup’s previous position as Menopause Employment Ambassador, reflecting a wider focus on health issues affecting women throughout their working lives.
UK backs stronger female representation in STEM at Malaysia forum
Held on 30th March 2026, the “Leading the Future: Women and Girls in Science Forum” brought together around 110 participants, including government officials.
Senior candidates removing age clues from CVs amid bias concerns
According to Eursap, the trend, described as “age-scrubbing”, includes omitting graduation dates, shortening career histories and removing early roles.
Bedfont Scientific receives Compassionate Workplace accreditation
Jason Smith said: “As the first organisation in Kent to achieve this recognition, we feel both proud and responsible to lead by example."
Technology
AI adoption hits 100% across pensions industry, SPP research finds
The SPP’s 2026 AI Survey found that 100% of respondents are now using AI, up from 87% in 2025.
Demand for agentic AI skills surges as businesses shift beyond traditional coding – Malt
The findings, published in the Malt Tech Trends 2026 report, pointed to a significant shift in the technology skills landscape.
Emergency responders and skilled trades among safest jobs from automation, study finds
The Planera study examined more than 55 manual and physical occupations across sectors including construction, healthcare, logistics and services.
Health & Wellbeing
Accountability Edinburgh and Barrhead Housing gain Flexible Workplace Accreditation
Flexible Childcare Services Scotland, Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, Greenspace Scotland, Into Work, Melville Housing Association, Scullion Law, Social Investment Scotland and Working Rite were also recognised.
Royal Voluntary Service launches initiative to boost workplace morale
The 100 Million Hour Movement aims to double employee volunteering hours from 50 million to 100 million by the end of 2028.
‘Doom-scrolling’ after work may be worsening burnout, experts warn
According to insights from BestBuy Office Chairs, 63% of employees reported showing signs of burnout by the end of the working day.
Private health insurance becomes top workplace benefit for UK employees
Analysis from MyHealthPal found that 60% of employees now rank private health insurance as their most valued workplace benefit, ahead of extra holiday (41%) and life insurance (37%).
Employee Relations
79% of workers fear job loss in 2026 as recession fears grow – MyPerfectCV
Most workers expected redundancies and unemployment to rise, with 82% saying layoffs were likely at their organisation.
Office noise costing workers three weeks of productivity a year, research finds
Oscar Acoustics found that more than half (54%) of employees described their workplace as noisy, yet only around a third believe their employer takes the issue seriously.
Employee engagement declines as burnout reshapes workplace loyalty, study finds
According to a report from Resume Genius, engagement has fallen from its 2020 peak.
CIPD urges employers to ensure compliance as Employment Rights Act reforms take effect
From the 6th April, the changes mark the first phase of a broader programme of employment law reform.
Global HR
CPO appointments fall as demand for experience grows, report finds
Eton Bridge Partners found that overall global appointment volumes have fallen by 21%, driven by a 34% decline in the UK.
moneyappi partners with ASOS to boost employee financial wellbeing
Employees at ASOS now have access to moneyappi’s AI-powered platform, designed to help employees improve their financial situation.
The Access Group named ‘Human Company of The Year’
The Access Group was recognised for keeping a strong focus on employees during growth in artificial intelligence (AI).
UK now top global hub for startup hiring – Deel
Of nearly 100 startups that each raised over $100m (£79m) in funding, 12.2% of cross-border hires were in the UK – the highest share worldwide.