Majority of employees admit to ‘ghostworking’ and job hunting during work hours
A recent survey by Resume Now revealed that a significant portion of the workforce engages in "ghostworking"—the act of appearing busy without being productive.
Latest
Muslim Aid accredited as a Living Wage Employer
Zakya Hussain, head of people & culture and services at Muslim Aid, said: "Paying the Real Living Wage is a commitment to existing and future employees that working for us means that they’re part of an organisation that lives by its values and treats people well, ensuring they will earn a good living for themselves and their families as well as doing good for others in society.”
UK schools rely on teaching assistants for cover due to funding crisis
Teaching assistants in the UK are being compelled to take on more classroom responsibilities, including leading lessons, due to ongoing teacher shortages and funding cuts.
Department for Education ends funding for career changer teacher program
Founded in 2016 by Lucy Kellaway, a former journalist, and Katie Waldegrave, a former teacher, Now Teach has helped over 1,000 mature professionals transition into teaching roles.
London bus company control room staff to escalate strike action in May
Transport UK control room employees are set to extend their strike action in May, protesting against a pay raise offer that falls below inflation rates, potentially affecting numerous bus routes in London.
UK Government introduces new online service for National Insurance payments
Government launches an online NI payment service to simplify securing full State Pension entitlements.
Cost drives UK business decisions on employee benefits despite ongoing commitment
New REBA and Howden research shows UK businesses prioritize cost-effective employee benefits, with plans to enhance pensions and financial wellbeing despite economic pressures.
Compensation & Benefits
Employers repay £7.4m in unpaid wages to nearly 60,000 workers
Baroness Phillippa Stroud said: “These naming rounds play an important part in ensuring that all workers receive their full wages."
Salary sacrifice pension perks and Benefits in Kind face cuts in upcoming Autumn Budget
Employers said that removing NIC exemptions would likely affect staff morale, but a cap would be easier to explain to employees.
Recruitment & HR
NHS England publishes national recruitment policy framework
The framework gives guidance for employers and information for candidates, and is set up so each NHS organisation can adapt it to their local processes.
KFC unveils £1.5bn investment plan to create over 7,000 jobs in the UK and Ireland
The investment will facilitate the opening of 500 new restaurants, focusing on key locations such as Ireland and the North West of England.
Government reforms risk undermining the credibility of apprenticeships, says CIPD
Following the Government’s announcement today, Lizzie Crowley, senior skills adviser at the CIPD, questioned the effectiveness of proposed changes.
Government creates 120,000 new training places to build UK workforce
The plans cover training more bricklayers, carpenters and healthcare support workers, with reforms aimed at young, domestic talent.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Vodafone gains ‘Fertility Friendly’ employer status
This recognition came from Fertility Matters at Work (FMAT), which helps companies understand and support staff facing fertility issues.
Scottish Widows and Her Wealth Network partner to launch website
The site, herwealthnetwork.co.uk, will support women with practical help, in-person events and online resources.
BMW Group Financial Services and ALPHERA recognised as top car finance employers
ALPHERA was commended on its guidance and support initiatives, provided for both customers and partners.
E.ON rated top workplace for young employees
The recognition covered E.ON’s UK businesses, including E.ON Next, npower business solutions, and E.ON energy infrastructure solutions.
Technology
INTERVIEW: Freelancers surge as AI grows in popularity
Matthieu Rouif said: "As AI becomes more intuitive and accessible, entrepreneurs will be able to move faster, experiment more, and scale smarter."
Small businesses face rising cyber threats amid record-breaking attack attempts, research finds
According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months.
Middlesex University launches digital degree apprenticeships
The courses cover cyber security, data science, digital marketing, and user experience, with a focus on helping finance businesses address future skills shortages.
Health & Wellbeing
Workplace community key to reducing burnout, says expert
Paul Guess said: “Now more than ever, it's essential for employers to take active responsibility in supporting employee wellbeing."
Workplace snacking linked to weight gain in high-pressure jobs, survey finds
The Oxford Online Pharmacy survey identified estate and letting agents as the most affected, with 37.5% saying work snacks were a problem.
RTO mandates drive 41% surge in demand for ‘wraparound’ childcare – Bubble
Three in five parents said either they or their partner had been asked to work in the office more often in the last six months.
Reward Funding named among best UK workplaces for second year running
The recognition highlighted the company’s efforts to maintain a supportive and high-performing culture, as well as its focus on staff satisfaction and training.
Employee Relations
Liverpool Hospital lab workers halt strike to support city centre incident
Over 50 microbiology staff from Liverpool Clinical Laboratories were due to walk out on 27th May after striking on 22nd and 23rd May over staff shortages and burnout.
Menzies staff at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports reject pay offers, strike threat looms
Workers in roles including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers at both airports turned down pay rises of around 4% to 4.25%.
RHA named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work for second year running
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has once again been named among the Sunday Times Best Places to Work, securing its place on the prestigious list in the medium-sized organisation category for a second year in a row. The RHA was also recognised in the Industry Awards category, underlining its continued commitment to employee wellbeing and organisational excellence. The annual list highlights employers across the UK that foster a positive and engaging work culture. Rankings are based on anonymous feedback from employees, covering a range of criteria including leadership, engagement, wellbeing, and values. Richard Smith, managing director at the RHA, said:
CASE STUDY: Helping Heathrow develop the leaders of the future
Heathrow saw a 19% increase in employee engagement and an 8% jump in trust in leadership, thanks to Solvd Together's leadership programme.
Global HR
Pandora among ‘Europe’s Best Workplaces’, expands workforce by 40% in four years
The Financial Times ranking highlighted 1,000 top companies across Europe, based on anonymous feedback from current and former employees.
Irish employers lag behind on AI strategy and training, warns CIPD
The 2025 HR Practices in Ireland study revealed that 58% of workplaces have not provided a clear plan on how AI will be used.
Coats publishes global wellbeing whitepaper in partnership with Great Place To Work
Coats has launched a wellbeing whitepaper with Great Place To Work, highlighting over 500 global initiatives and tangible improvements in staff engagement.
Mindtools acquires Kineo to expand global learning and development services
The move brings the two companies together under the ownership of CIG, and aims to expand their learning solutions to more customers globally.