What role does design play in creating a sustainable workforce for the future?
Bringing human sustainability into how we shape workplace environments can help people feel more engaged and inspired.
Latest
Arla Foods decision makers swerve meeting over factory closure, says GMB
GMB Union met with the company today in the first formal consultation over plans to move production to the company’s site in Lockerbie, Scotland at a cost of 130 jobs.
John Lewis invests £114m in employee pay and business transformation, forgoing staff bonuses
The retailer said the decision followed “careful consideration” and was necessary to support long-term growth and financial stability.
BMA calls on NHS to introduce ‘scope of practice’ for physician and anaesthesia associates
In 2023, the BMA called for a national pause in the recruitment and expansion of PAs and AAs following evidence that they are working considerably beyond their competencies,
Rising operational costs impacting hiring and staff benefits, report finds
Almost half (48%) of businesses cite staffing as a key risk, according to Expert Market.
Employers to prioritise international care workers living in England under new Government rules
From 9th April, 2025, care providers who want to recruit a new worker from overseas will have to first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship.
Bank of England halts plans for new diversity and inclusion rules amid regulatory concerns
Sam Woods, the PRA’s deputy governor, confirmed that while the regulator remains committed to fostering diversity, it will not move forward with formal rulemaking at this time.
Compensation & Benefits
Government launches new workplace protections for pregnant women and bereavement leave
The proposals aim to modernise employment rights and ensure greater workplace security, particularly for parents and those experiencing loss.
CDC pension schemes set to boost retirement incomes by up to 60%
The new rules are set to benefit millions of workers across the UK by pooling pension savings and providing regular payments for life.
Recruitment & HR
Walmsley Wilkinson embraces AI to boost human-centric executive recruitment
Taryn Wilkinson said: “We’re on an AI learning curve and we are very open to the future possibilities of how AI can further enhance our business.”
Government clean energy plan to create over 15,000 new jobs in Wales by 2030
Skills pilots will run in Pembrokeshire, Cheshire and Lincolnshire, with £2.5m of Government funding to support new training centres, courses or career advisers.
Recruitment tops list of employer concerns, research reveals
Research from Ciphr found managing rising costs and budget shortfalls was a concern for 27% of employers, while retaining staff was a concern for 28%.
Surrey County Council launches ‘STEP Surrey’ to help jobseekers overcome work barriers
STEP Surrey brings together a live jobs board updated twice daily, thousands of vacancies, and direct access to employment experts for tailored guidance.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
TPE partners with ivee to support career returners
Nicola Buckley, people director at TPE, said: “Partnering with ivee helps us reach even more talented people who might not have considered a career in the railway before.”
Allyship at work drives 90% productivity boost, study finds
The report, carried out by LGBT Great, found that 75% of employees said visible allyship from senior leaders was important.
Tandem Bank joins Henpicked to enhance menopause awareness and workplace inclusion
Tandem Bank has partnered with Henpicked to promote menopause and menstrual health awareness, supporting its wider goal of fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Birmingham alumni team up for neurodiversity training programme
Greg Freeman, founder of Data Literacy Academy, and Iveta Pudilova, founder of National Neurodiversity Training, are running the programme.
Technology
Different generations want different technology at work, finds Mitie
Seven in 10 (70%) Gen Z staff said technology helped them perform better at work, while 60% Gen X agreed.
Notify Technology launches AI software to speed up workplace accident analysis
Notify Spark uses AI to speed up accident reports and investigations, aiming to improve root cause analysis and turn incident data into insights firms can use.
NI Economy Minister offers 40 training places with guaranteed job interviews
Successful applicants will develop IT skills and gain industry-recognised qualifications.
Health & Wellbeing
Resident doctors announce strike action in England
The strike will run from 7am 14th November to 7am 19th November.
Rising health claims signal strain on construction workforce – Westfield Health
Figures showed health cash plan claims from construction workers rose by 6% in the past year.
BM Caterers launches ‘Atelier Wellness’ to support workplaces
The programme provides tailored plans to businesses of any size, aiming to improve physical health, cognitive performance and employee engagement.
Managers back AI for safety, workers remain sceptical – Rapid Global
The survey found over a third (36%) of managers said AI will reduce safety risks, compared to just 16% of workers.
Employee Relations
Half of low-paid workers use foodbanks as real living wage rises, data finds
Research by the Living Wage Foundation found 42% of low-paid workers used foodbanks in the past year, rising to 56% for those with dependent children.
SEO specialists most in-demand freelancers in UK, research reveals
Tide’s Global Freelancer Report showed that graphic designers were in demand in England and Northern Ireland, photographers in Wales, and copywriters in Scotland.
Many employers expect rise in industrial action due to new union rights – CIPD
Over half (56%) said working with trade unions could be beneficial, and 79% rated relations between managers and workers as good or very good.
AI linked to rising feelings of being undervalued and disengaged at work – Perkbox
Employers saw AI as a positive step, with 69% saying it improved the employee experience and 47% believing it had no direct effect on feeling valued.
Global HR
International SOS and Sancroft support sustainability goals in global workforce mobility
International SOS has joined forces with sustainability consultancy Sancroft to help organisations embed sustainability into their global mobility and travel policies.
Only one in six HR teams confident their practices would stand up in tribunal – WorkNest
The findings suggested that many HR professionals felt uncertain about their organisation’s legal readiness at a time when businesses are preparing for vast reforms.
Most businesses now allow employees to work abroad – Grant Thornton UK
The survey found 77% of mid-market firms had a policy for international remote working in 2025, up from 59% in 2023.
TMF Group launches payroll platform to streamline HR administration
TMF Optix uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide intelligent analytics, global reporting, AI-powered dashboards and optimised data management.