Business travel linked to increased work fatigue for professionals – Good Travel Management
Common causes were tight schedules, early starts, disrupted sleep and frequent travel.
Latest
Survey reveals water workers face increased abuse amid sewage dumping concerns
A survey links rising abuse of water sector employees to public outrage over increased sewage dumping incidents.
NI’s unpaid carers ‘left behind’ in new UK employment law, campaigners warn
People providing unpaid care for sick or disabled family members or friends in Northern Ireland have been ‘left behind’ by a new employment law that came into force in the rest of the UK last week, campaigners have warned.
Football pundit faces £210,000 tax bill after IR35 appeal dismissed
Former footballer Neil McCann incurs a £210,000 tax bill after his IR35 appeal is dismissed.
UNISON commits to advancing the Race for Equality campaign in the NHS
UNISON is set to strengthen its Race for Equality campaign, addressing racism in the NHS and supporting Black workers, as decided in recent conference motions.
Health service urged to improve support for disabled staff and students
At UNISON's 2024 national health conference, the focus was on enhancing support for disabled NHS staff and students, with calls for reasonable adjustments and better policies.
South West health workers secure lump sum after strikes
Following strikes, South West health workers in Wiltshire and North Devon secure a minimum £1,655 lump sum bonus, with UNISON calling for equal treatment for all health workers.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay rise delays linked to rising staff turnover, says Robert Walters
Almost half of employers have seen increased employee turnover after delaying pay reviews, according to new research from Robert Walters.
Government unveils Pension Schemes Bill to boost retirement savings for 20 million workers
In what ministers have hailed as a "transformative moment" for retirement savings, the legislation aims to make pensions easier to manage, deliver better returns, and funnel billions into the UK economy.
Recruitment & HR
Contract hiring leads modest recovery in professional staffing, says APSCo
APSCo data shows growing demand for contract roles, while permanent hiring shows signs of stabilising.
Wakefield chosen to pilot major overhaul of UK jobcentre system
The pilot project - referred to as a Pathfinder - aims to move away from a standardised, centrally-driven model and introduce services tailored to local needs.
Vertu branch manager named finalist in British Forces in Business Awards
The British Forces in Business Awards celebrates veterans transitioning into civilian careers.
Aberdeenshire Council backs ‘Workwise’ training scheme to boost workplace entry
Cllr David Keating said: “The scheme will not just help people understand the world of work, but grow their confidence and ambition.”
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
CIPD Trust’s HR mentoring programme sees half of participants promoted to senior roles
So far, 124 mentees have taken part across 10 cohorts, and at least half have moved into senior positions such as HR director or chief people officer.
Škoda celebrates European Diversity Month, reaffirms commitment to inclusion
Škoda beat its target for women in management in 2024, with women now making up 20.4% of management staff.
c2c appoints four young staff members through King’s Trust railways programme
New recruits Jack Wood, Fatihur Rahman, Arif Torofdar and Lindsey Keeling have joined in permanent roles.
Womble Bond Dickinson celebrates charitable impact in new report
Sally Dallow said: “Our firm's vision is to lead the way on responsible business."
Technology
AI threatens job security and pay for creative workers, report reveals
David Leslie said: “Freelance creative workers, who experience work life without the protections that come with salaried jobs, are especially vulnerable to these changes."
Government AI trial cuts nearly two weeks of admin time per year for civil servants
Research found using AI saved people an average of 26 minutes per day, adding up to nearly two weeks a year for each civil servant.
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."
Health & Wellbeing
phs Besafe calls for ban on ‘forever chemicals’ in workwear
PFAS (Poly and perfluoroalkyl substances), known as ‘forever chemicals’, are a group of man-made chemicals that never break down and accumulate in the environment and in our bodies.
Busy Bees achieves silver RoSPA award for health and safety
Julia Small said: “Busy Bees should be proud of the hard work and commitment to keeping people safe that has resulted in a RoSPA Award."
Ofsted pledges stronger mental health support for teachers in wake of Ruth Perry tragedy
Matthew Purves, national director of the Ofsted Academy, laid out the new safeguarding measures now in place and reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to protecting the mental health of those it inspects.
BVA opens nominations for 2025 Wellbeing Awards
Supported by ManyPets, the awards highlight teams that have adopted the BVA good veterinary workplaces initiative.
Employee Relations
Employee theft cases top 4,500 in the past year – Zurich UK
Zurich’s claims included a £249,229 loss at a high-end jeweller, £63,439 at a furniture company, and £50,000 at a medical centre.
Most carers would quit jobs without flexible working, research reveals
Nearly two thirds (65%) of working carers said they would look for a new job if their employer restricted flexible hours.
Over half of office workers suffer with back pain due to poor workstation setup, survey reveals
Just one in three UK office workers believe their employers are getting the basics right when it comes to desk work and employee health.
Currys leaders recognised for ongoing work in workplace inclusion
Paula Coughlan and Michelle Gorringe-Smith were named as advocates for change for their work on inclusion and diversity in the retail sector.
Global HR
Bosnia and Herzegovina tops Europe with 64.7% minimum wage rise in 2025, report reveals
Romania recorded the second-largest increase at 22.78%, moving its minimum wage to €663, followed by Bulgaria at 15.51% (€477), Croatia at 15.48% (€700), and Serbia at 13.79% (€502).
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.