PayFit launches first AI agent for workers
The tool gives answers tailored to each worker’s situation, including contract type, payslip, leave balance and company agreements.
Latest
British businesses celebrated in third year of The King’s Awards for Enterprise
This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors, have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country.
Optima Health acquires Care first to expand mental health services
The acquisition will see Optima Health bring in around 40 experienced staff and expand its employee assistance programme offering.
Government aims to boost creative industries with UK-India cultural agreement
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy signed a new bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement with India’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
TMM Recruitment becomes employee-owned through trust model
Amanda McCullloch said: “This EOT is our way of recognising and rewarding the people who have been instrumental in making TMM Recruitment what it is today."
Stirling and Clackmannanshire pupils complete employability programme
The eight-week course covered curriculum vitae (CV) writing, social media awareness and interview preparation.
Single pensioners need £225,000 more for retirement than couples – Standard Life
The research found that single retirees aiming for a minimum standard of living would need an annual income of £14,400 after tax.
Compensation & Benefits
Payrolls drop by 0.5% as unemployment rises to 5.1% – ONS
Employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 was estimated at 75.1% from September to November 2025.
GRiD urges employers to use benefits to support staff New Year’s resolutions
The industry body for the group risk sector said many employees lose motivation by mid-January, which can affect mental health.
Recruitment & HR
73% of hiring managers say skills shortages hold back entry-level appointments – CV Genius
30% valued portfolio projects as a signal of employability, compared to 16% for internships and 19% for part-time jobs.
One in four workers apply for jobs that don’t exist, finds Employment Hero
A quarter (24%) of UK workers said they had applied for a ‘ghost job’ - a role advertised but not actually being recruited for.
Lifeways launches recruitment drive to attract diverse candidates
The campaign, called You’re Not Just Anyone, highlights the work of frontline teams supporting more than 4,000 people across the UK.
FMB calls for clarity on Scottish construction sector after Budget statement
Gordon Nelson, director at FMB Scotland, said: “With a shortfall of 100,000 homes and ambitious net zero targets, we urgently need to boost our building industry."
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Mayor of London launches rent-capped homes scheme for key workers
The scheme is set to provide long-term rental options for workers like teachers, nurses, carers and bus drivers, offering rents below private market rates.
Greater Essex Connect to Work programme mobilised with three new providers
The providers confirmed are Shaw Trust, Essex Cares Limited (ECL) and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
Government unveils £200m SEND teacher training programme
The new courses will be made available to all teaching staff to improve their knowledge in adapting lessons for a range of needs.
New and expectant parents face high levels of unfair treatment at work, TUC warns
More than one in seven women (14%) who have children or are expecting a child have lost their job, or felt forced to leave their role.
Technology
Workers’ AI confidence falls as training fails to keep pace – ManpowerGroup
While 44% of workers now use AI regularly, confidence fell from 81% to 63% over the past year.
University of Manchester gives all students and staff access to Microsoft 365 Copilot
The aim is to give all students workplace-ready skills, support teaching and research, and close the digital divide with access to advanced AI tools.
Corpay warns UK CFOs face ‘automation deficit’ as manual finance processes persist
UK finance leaders are struggling to turn automation ambition into reality, with integration issues and fragmented systems holding back efficiency and real-time visibility, according to new research from Corpay.
Health & Wellbeing
One in five delay GP appointments due to work pressure, report finds
Bupa and YuLife’s ‘HealthTech at Work’ report found 27% of 18 to 34-year-olds delayed mental health support like counselling or therapy.
Three UK and Samaritans call for ‘Tea Leave’ wellbeing breaks for British workers
Research found 35% of British workers rarely left the office during the day, and 49% said only a loo break pulled them away from their desk.
Half of workers have taken extended sick leave, finds The Exeter
The report found that absences were most common among men, with 49% saying they had taken extended time off, and 18% of those in the past year.
Employee engagement holds steady at 79% despite workload concerns, report finds
People Insight's report on Employee Experience Trends 2026 found that one in five employees reported feeling lonely at work.
Employee Relations
Majority of professionals call for ‘microshifting’ to boost flexibility – Robert Walters
Research found interest in microshifting has grown as only 35% of UK workers believed their company’s flexible working policy was fit for purpose.
Managers reluctant to discuss mental health in the workplace, finds Unum UK
Of the SMEs surveyed, 45% said mental health was a key reason for staff absence.
High stress and lack of support drives workers into sick leave, report finds
The latest Burnout Report from Mental Health UK found one in five (20%) workers took sick leave due to poor mental health caused by stress.
Employers must embrace flexible careers to retain Gen Z talent, says expert
Lucy Kemp said lily padding is the future of work and warned that employers who do not adapt risk losing talent.
Global HR
Pearson and Deloitte partner to deliver AI-powered workforce training
The partnership will use both companies’ experience to deliver AI learning, leadership development and training solutions.
Retention and productivity top benefits of health support for overseas workers – Everywhen
32% of employers said retention rates were the main reason for offering health and wellbeing support, with 31% choosing productivity as the biggest advantage.
Morgan Lewis appoints London Labour and employment team partner
Katherine Gibson brings extensive experience in employment litigation, transactional support, business protection matters, and workplace data privacy.
Majority of European workers plan to move jobs in 2026, research reveals
According to MyPerfectCV, 37% of workers wanted to reduce stress, while 34% said they are focused on achieving a better work–life balance.