Gender pay gap in transport sector remains above national average – WIT
This figure is higher than the UK average, and 65% of organisations had no plan in place to address it.
Latest
Businesses offered £700 grants to attend European R&D events to boost innovation
Innovate UK will be providing grants of up to £700 for UK innovators to attend research and development events across Europe.
Government increases support for care workforce as part of £86m investment
The government announced £86m boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant for this financial year, on top of the £86m announced for the next year.
BTC to question Shein, Temu, McDonald’s, Tesco and Anti-Slavery Commissioner on labour rights and supply chain integrity
The BTC will hold a key evidence session on labour rights and supply chain integrity, questioning major retailers and officials as part of its inquiry into the Employment Rights Bill.
TUC and Usdaw urge retailers to end use of ‘freelance’ retail staff undermining workers’ rights
TUC and Usdaw have called on major retailers to stop using so-called freelance staff, arguing that the practice undermines workers’ rights and fair treatment in the retail sector.
Retail workers call for action amid ‘out of control’ shoplifting crisis
Retail workers across the UK are sounding the alarm over a surge in shoplifting, with thefts rising by 29% in the past year and escalating violence prompting calls for urgent intervention and stronger police support.
FTSE 100 CEOs surpassed UK median worker’s annual pay by midday today
By midday today (6th January 2025), FTSE 100 CEOs had already earned more than the median UK worker’s annual salary, according to estimates by the High Pay Centre, illustrating the ongoing issue of executive pay disparity.
Compensation & Benefits
Octopus EV adds XPENG G6 to salary sacrifice scheme
The salary sacrifice scheme includes the car, home charger, energy bundle, maintenance and insurance.
Most employees unaware of added-value benefits, research reveals
Data from from Towergate Employee Benefits found only 47% of employers said their managers understood these benefits well, and just 41% believed their employees did.
Recruitment & HR
Neurodiversity-related employment tribunal claims see sharp rise since 2020
Analysis from Irwin Mitchell revealed that the number of tribunal decisions citing ADHD rose from just six in the first half of 2020 to 51 in the first half of 2025.
Virgin Media O2 and Care UK among shortlist for In-house Recruitment Awards
The winners will be revealed on 26th November in London at Westminster Bridge.
Staffing market shows signs of recovery as hiring lifts in July
New APSCo data reveals month-on-month growth in vacancies, CV sends and placements across both contract and permanent roles.
Manufacturers and B2C firms most likely to return to full onsite working – BCC
Just under half (48%) of businesses said they expected all working days to be in-person over the next 12 months.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Finance and property firms dominate 2025 UK Social Mobility Awards shortlist
Lloyds, Knight Frank, and Coventry Building Society are among the financial and property firms shortlisted for this year’s UK Social Mobility Awards.
Good Things Foundation and People’s Partnership join forces to boost digital and financial skills
Nicola Sinclair said: “We passionately believe that everyone deserves access to tools and knowledge to enable them to plan for their future.”
92% of Muslim women in UK media say Islamophobia is embedded in newsrooms
According to the report by the Centre for Media Monitoring, 72% of respondents said they had personally experienced direct discrimination linked to their Muslim identity.
Škoda Auto deepens diversity commitment as DEI score hits 94%
In June, Škoda Auto was recognised with the Pride Business Forum’s Award in Bronze category for LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer.
Technology
West Midlands Mayor sets out ambitions to boost AI skills and job prospects
The scheme aims to help local people use AI in daily life and work, as well as prepare thousands for jobs in technology.
UK adults turn to AI to save time and money in everyday life
A new survey by Adobe Express shows 40% of people now use AI at home and work, saving up to 10 hours a week and cutting costs in the process.
Lack of human skills risks holding back AI adoption in the workplace, finds Multiverse
Imogen Stanley said: “We need to start looking beyond technical skills and think about the human skills that the workforce must hone to get the best out of AI."
Health & Wellbeing
University of Bedfordshire awarded Mental Health Charter for wellbeing commitment
Rebecca Bunting said: “This award reflects the commitment of our entire community to creating a supportive, inclusive environment for all."
Half of workers miss out on essential HSE training – Astutis
The survey showed just 28% are currently using AI tools in their work, with over 80% not using wearable technology such as smart PPE or monitoring devices.
Government to introduce new professional licensing rules for high-risk cosmetic procedures
Under the proposed rules, certain invasive treatments will only be permitted when performed by specially trained medical practitioners operating within Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered providers.
Nationwide partners with Refuge to extend support for domestic abuse survivors
Nationwide Building Society has launched a new partnership with Refuge, expanding its support services for customers experiencing domestic abuse.
Employee Relations
Thousands in Greater Manchester to get free support through ‘Work Progression’ service
The service aims to help people move into better jobs, boost their skills and confidence, and break down barriers to getting ahead at work.
40% of doctors struggle to provide patient care due to staffing shortages – GMC
Inadequate staffing was the main barrier, with 72% saying it was a problem, down from 79% in 2023.
24% of marketers say work stress affects their personal lives – Storyblok
Only a third (33.5%) said they had a good work-life balance and just 6% said they were never stressed.
TUC Cymru launches ‘Twf – The Welsh Language at Work Charter’
The charter is based on four key principles and aims to support workers, trade union branches and employers to grow the use of Welsh at work.
Global HR
Talent shortages driving company location decisions, survey finds
Savills and CoreNet Global found that 73% of respondents in the technology sector reported a drop in skilled staff.
HSI acquires HandsHQ to expand risk management and workforce training
Jamie Carruthers said: “The combined expertise of HSI and HandsHQ means our customers will have access to the best-in-class technology and industry-leading practices."
Pearson and HCLTech partner to deliver AI-driven upskilling for global workforce
The deal will see Pearson use HCLTech’s engineering and digital tools to create new AI-powered training, assessment and workforce analytics products.
Firms failing to use global mobility strategically, warns Vialto
Only 23% of firms said their mobility function was either 'strategic' or an 'influencer' in business matters.