UK side hustlers earn an average of £5,420 a year, says Royal Mail
The average UK side hustle now brings in more than £450 a month, with Millennials earning the most, according to new research from Royal Mail.
Latest
NASUWT launches industrial action ballot over sixth form college pay dispute
NASUWT has opened an industrial action ballot for members working in sixth form colleges, citing an inequitable pay offer for 2024/25. The Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) proposed a conditional 5.5% pay award for academies, with non-academised colleges only receiving the full amount in April 2025.
Gender pay gap in UK financial boardrooms narrows but remains significant
The gender pay gap across UK financial services boardrooms narrowed from 30% to 25% between 2019 and 2023, according to EY’s latest European Financial Services Boardroom Monitor
Visa applications to work and study in the UK fall by 42% after migration restrictions
The number of visa applications to work and study in the UK fell by nearly 400,000 following government restrictions aimed at cutting legal migration by 300,000 annually, according to provisional Home Office data.
AI must be used to enhance public services, not replace workers, says UNISON
UNISON has urged the government to ensure that artificial intelligence enhances public services without cutting jobs, as it responds to the launch of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Five-year ban for Lincolnshire car wash owner who employed illegal workers
Mohamed Hamza, the owner of a Lincolnshire car wash, has been banned from being a company director for five years after employing illegal workers from Syria and Egypt.
Nearly half of U.S. remote workers say they’d quit if forced back to the office, Pew finds
A Pew Research Center survey reveals that 46% of U.S. remote workers say they’d be unlikely to stay at their job if their employer required a full return to the office, highlighting growing resistance to in-person work mandates.
Compensation & Benefits
C&C Insurance Brokers unveils employee benefits division
Malcolm Cooke, managing director of C&C Insurance Brokers, said: “The new name aligns perfectly with where the market and our clients are heading - it is better positioned than ever to meet growing demand.”
One in 10 employees could quit over poor pension benefits – Scottish Widows
The research found the main reason for dissatisfaction was uncompetitive pension benefits compared with other employers, reported by 68%.
Recruitment & HR
c2c marks UK Youth Work Week 2025 with recruitment for 18 roles
Over the past three years, c2c recruited 18 young people into permanent roles through its work experience partnership with The King’s Trust, ‘Get into Rail’.
More than a third of tech scale-ups have no women on their boards, study finds
The study from Think & Grow showed that women hold just 18% of board seats across high-growth tech companies.
Logistics hub to bring 300 new jobs to Little Hulton
Councillor Teresa Pepper, Lead Member for Skills and Work and Business Support at Salford City Council, said: “Bolt330 will generate fantastic employment opportunities for people in Little Hulton and the surrounding area."
North East Lincolnshire Council launches employment support scheme for care leavers
The Family Enterprise programme targets care leavers who often face barriers to employment, including a lack of support networks and stable role models.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Care UK celebrates success of SEN supported placements in care sector
Christian Woolley, regional director for Berkshire at Care UK, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what our homes have achieved, and I look forward to seeing this initiative grow across more of our regions in the future.”
Law Society sets out EDI strategy to boost support for solicitors
The EDI strategy will focus on strengthening diversity in senior roles, supporting disabled solicitors, and building better workplace cultures.
PSNI and PwC launch campaign to help employers tackle violence against women
Caitroina McCusker, Northern Ireland market senior partner at PwC UK, said: “Together, we can create safer, more inclusive workplaces and contribute to a Northern Ireland where everyone can thrive.”
Employers team up with Government to tackle ill-health and keep people in work
The three-year Keep Britain Working partnership, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, will focus on prevention, early support and helping people get back to work.
Technology
Civica partners with Talos360 to deliver hiring and HR system for public sector
The new platform brings together Civica’s People Hub software and Talos360’s ATS, aiming to make it easier for organisations to attract, hire, onboard and retain staff.
AI job fears driving knowledge hoarding in workplaces, report finds
The report from Adaptavist found that 35% of workers are actively gatekeeping knowledge to protect their job security.
TUC urges TikTok to “come clean” as MPs investigate AI-driven job cuts
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, chaired by Chi Onwurah MP, has written to TikTok demanding answers about the redundancies within its London-based Trust and Safety Team.
Health & Wellbeing
St Andrews University and trade union agree deal for staff cancer support
UNISON representative Alex Duncan said the key change was extending the phased return to work from eight weeks to 12 weeks, all on full pay.
Epassi UK partners with Qured to boost employee health checks
The partnership aims to improve employee wellbeing and help businesses cut costs, reduce sickness, and boost productivity.
RPS launches 2025 Workforce Wellbeing Survey
The student survey covers wellbeing, study experiences and expectations of workplace support.
Bus drivers face heightened safety risks ahead of Halloween and Bonfire Night, says Unite
Reports of fireworks being thrown at or into buses, and other forms of anti-social behaviour such as road blockages and vandalism, have surged in previous years.
Employee Relations
82% of professionals say ‘culture rot’ is harming workplaces – Robert Walters
Limited incentives or rewards were flagged by 41% of professionals as a symptom.
Background still seen as a major barrier to career progression, Co-op finds
Two-thirds (68%) of Brits said their background still affects their career progression.
BRC urges MPs to support amendments to Employment Rights Bill
Helen Dickinson said: "The Government must ensure that any delay to the Bill’s Royal Assent does not result in less consultation or a compressed implementation Roadmap."
Workplace support for learning disabilities falls short, study finds
Research from Hilton found 57% of people with learning disabilities said the company they worked for was not equipped to support them.
Global HR
HiBob launches global network for people-first leaders to tackle HR challenges
The aim is to give practical tools, insights and a platform for real conversations on challenges HR and business leaders face.
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.