Unite deal secures two-year pay rise for East Midlands Airport refuellers
Under the agreement, the workers will receive a 6.5% pay increase in the first year and a further 3.5% uplift in the second year.
Latest
Research highlights gender pension gap, with single parents earning least
A new report from Now: Pensions and the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) reveals significant disparities in pension savings, particularly affecting single parents.
Virgin Media O2 reveals ethnicity and gender pay gaps for 2023
Virgin Media O2's 2023 pay gap report reveals a 9.7% mean ethnicity hourly pay gap and a 1.9% mean gender hourly pay gap.
Young people from ethnic minority backgrounds benefit from £1.7m boost to tackle workplace discrimination in West Yorkshire
Young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in West Yorkshire are set to benefit from a £1.7m grant to tackle workplace discrimination and support employment opportunities, Youth Futures Foundation announced today.
Half of young people from an ethnic minority background face prejudice and discrimination as they enter the world of work
Research from Youth Futures Foundation has found that almost half of young people from an ethnic minority background have experienced prejudice or discrimination when seeking to enter the workplace.
More than half of UK office workers struggling with rise in demand for face to face meetings
New research§ reveals that over half (52 percent) of office workers in the UK, who have experienced an increase in in-person meetings, are struggling to cope with the increased demand, as business travel and face to face time is on the rise.
Forecast indicates almost half of 2024 pay awards will be below last year’s, finds XpertHR
The latest pay forecast data from XpertHR predicts the median basic pay award in 2024 will be 4%, down two percentage points on the median in 2023, which was the highest recorded level for 32 years.
Compensation & Benefits
Median pay award holds firm at 3% in Q1, finds Brightmine
Despite the recent increase in National Insurance (NI) contributions, Brightmine data indicated that a sharp drop in pay awards is unlikely in the near term.
2024 group risk market growth lags behind previous years – Swiss Re
The report from Swiss Re showed that the number of in-force group risk policies increased by 3.2% from 91,739 in 2023 to 94,675 in 2024.
Recruitment & HR
London Stansted reveals range of lesser-known airport jobs ahead of recruitment push
Roles include airside operations officer, airport firefighter, security trainer, terminal duty managers and engineering technician.
Language skills now critical to workforce access as EU migration rises 63%
Research from Preply revealed that a growing number of EU nations require applicants to demonstrate formal language proficiency as part of their residency and integration policies.
Burnout on the rise for Gen Z workers, as two thirds confess to not switching off from work
Click Offices analysed data from across the UK to see the impact of burnout on the workforce.
Mitie secures DWP contract to deliver UK-wide security workforce
The deal will see Mitie’s security staff working at jobcentres, ensuring safety for employees and visitors.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Manningham Housing Association retains global diversity standard
John Mulholland said: “Manningham Housing Association is a good place to work and a good example for diversity in the workplace."
Usdaw appoints Joanne Thomas as first female general secretary
Thomas was elected unopposed and will replace current general secretary Paddy Lillis upon his retirement on 25th July 2025.
CSP calls for the protection of linguistic rights for multilingual workers
CSP has also called for the recognition of multilingual skills in job evaluations and skills frameworks.
Public support remains strong for workplace DEI initiatives, finds Ipsos
However, the research also highlighted a clear gender divide in general attitudes to promoting DEI.
Technology
Majority of UK employees want ethical AI training as usage grows – Photoroom
Research revealed that 18% of workers said knowing how to use AI properly would improve their company’s performance.
UK small businesses lead Europe in AI use, research reveals
Research by IONOS showed UK small businesses had the highest AI use at 37% compared to Germany at 32% and France at 26%.
Aberdeen International Airport launches AI assistant to aid passengers and staff
The digital assistant is intended to cut down the number of routine questions staff receive, letting teams deal with urgent and complex tasks.
Health & Wellbeing
Bridge Health & Wellbeing shortlisted in Christchurch Business Awards 2025
The awards ceremony will take place on 8th May at Iford Golf Centre.
Swadlincote Veterinary Centre awarded gold accreditation through BVA scheme
Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux said: "We hope this first Gold accreditation inspires others to strive towards gaining recognition as workplaces where vet teams thrive.”
Thrive launches scheme to reward staff for health habits
The company says the aim is to boost productivity, improve goal attainment and help staff achieve a better work-life balance.
Salford Licensing Service partners with Salford Public Health to support local taxi drivers
Cllr Mishal Saeed said: "It’s important that we support more people to live healthy lives for longer by promoting good physical and mental health."
Employee Relations
England and Wales councils lose nearly 600,000 workers since 2012 – GMB
Kevin Brandstatter said: “These figures are clearly appalling and show the deep and lasting damage austerity has done to our country."
Stagecoach bus services across west of Scotland to stop in May as pay dispute escalates
Strike action will now take place over a series of days including the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 16th, 19th, and 23rd of May.
Ealing traffic wardens protest in Westminster over lack MP support
Sharon Graham said: “It is time they stepped up and supported these workers. Unite will not stop until the union-busting at Greener Ealing ends."
Müller expansion in Market Drayton to bring new jobs and boost for local workforce
The dairy giant has received planning approval from Shropshire Council to significantly expand its operations at the site.
Global HR
Remote work drives innovation in flexible cultures, Durham study finds
Remote work boosts innovation in egalitarian, flexible cultures, new Durham University study shows.
Gallup warns declining manager engagement could threaten global productivity
A drop in engagement among managers has driven a global decline in employee engagement, according to Gallup’s latest workplace study, with Europe showing the lowest regional engagement at just 13%.
Employers rank reskilling as top HR challenge for 2025
The research, which surveyed 5,625 HR professionals and 16,000 employees across 16 countries, highlighted a shift in priorities amid a tightening labour market.
IWG and Jabbrrbox partner to deploy 3,750 smart work pods globally
IWG and Jabbrrbox will roll out thousands of high-tech privacy pods in public and corporate spaces to support hybrid working and employee productivity.