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
UK’s textile and agriculture sectors lead in wage growth, study finds
Recent study shows significant wage increases in UK's textile, agriculture, and real estate sectors, with textiles leading at a 12.31% rise.
Childcare costs force UK parents to cut work hours
Phoenix Group study reveals 25% of parents with young children reduce working hours due to childcare expenses.
71% of HR professionals report lack of adequate training, survey reveals
A survey finds 71% of HR professionals feel undertrained, highlighting challenges such as increased responsibilities, the importance of neurodiversity understanding, and the impact of hybrid work patterns on team management.
Top 10 UK jobs outpace inflation with significant wage increases
A study by Ciphr reveals significant wage increases in certain UK jobs, outpacing inflation rates amid the cost of living crisis, with roles like publicans and web designers seeing notable pay growth.
Employees would trade lower salary for better benefits
A MetLife UK survey indicates 40% of UK employees prioritise better benefits over higher pay, emphasising the value of financial protection, flexible work arrangements, and health support services.
Wirral bakery fined £400k after employee suffers life-changing injury
Baker & Baker Products is fined £400,000 after an accident on their Wirral premises led to an employee's leg amputation, highlighting critical safety oversights.
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.