Birmingham Council cuts bin drivers pay by £8,000
Unite has said the council’s decision shows an escalation in the dispute and the council's real plans to use workers' pay as a way to cut costs.
Latest
12 care companies threaten to withdraw services in Leeds amid financial dispute
The care companies, which represent half the city’s providers, have written to Leeds City Council saying they will be forced to stop looking after their 1,500 service users unless the council stumps up more cash.
Unite ballots 700 Aberdeen council workers over alleged ‘fire and rehire’ proposals
The council has tabled a proposal to unilaterally impose a cut of two hours in the working week to 35-hours.
Women could lose £12,554 in pension savings due to maternity leave contribution gaps
Some women could be left with a £12,554 shortfall in pension wealth if employers mistakenly reduce their contributions based on statutory maternity pay, rather than their full salary.
HR director pay surges by almost 21% over the past year, finds latest study
HR director pay has surged by 20.9% over the past year - far outpacing both the rest of the HR function and the wider economy - according to Incomes Data Research.
Government introduces AI bootcamp to upskill Whitehall coders
The AI Accelerator Programme will train up 25 Machine Learning Engineers through hackathons, where the coders will help tackle live Government challenges.
Pension participation booms under auto-enrolment but gaps remain
According to the DWP, the proportion of employees enrolled in a pension scheme has climbed from 53% in 2013–14 to 79% in 2023–24, an increase of 26%.
Compensation & Benefits
Annuities understanding rises by 25% among over-50s, misconceptions remain – Standard Life
Research revealed that the number of people correctly identifying that lifetime annuities provide a guaranteed income for life rose from 39% in 2023 to 49%.
Salary sacrifice car schemes ranked as key employee benefit for 2025, research reveals
Research from Tusker found that 31% of HR and benefits professionals saw employee experience as the main focus.
Recruitment & HR
Employment Rights Bill putting “brakes on hiring”, says BRC
The survey of HR Directors (HRDs) of leading retailers revealed the scale of concerns about the impact of the Employment Rights Bill, which will be debated in the House of Lords today.
UK tax vacancies up 14% as firms boost hiring in response to fiscal reforms
UK tax vacancies rose 14% year-on-year in Q1 2025, with regional hiring outpacing London and strong demand for corporate, indirect and cross-border tax skills.
UK lags in workplace productivity ranking, finds Ricoh Europe
The UK ranked lowest for workplace productivity, with UK workers lagging 11% behind leaders Spain.
BBC to improve workplace culture as it publishes independent review
The report from Change Associates, found no evidence of a toxic culture, but it highlighted key areas for improvement.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
IPA partners with Brixton Finishing School to widen access to advertising careers
Through the partnership, Brixton Finishing School will offer employability support and resources to schools and students that take part.
Menopause Advisory Group formed to boost workplace support
Convened by the Government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador, Mariella Frostrup, the group discussed the impact menopause can have on workers and current efforts to support women in work.
Over a third of female SME owners face gender bias – AXA UK
Research revealed that 53% of the female SME owners surveyed said they felt pressure to prove themselves more than male business owners.
Manningham Housing Association retains global diversity standard
John Mulholland said: “Manningham Housing Association is a good place to work and a good example for diversity in the workplace."
Technology
One in five schools use AI despite lack of staff training, warns GMB
More than 84% of school workers said they have not received training on Digital and Technology Standards.
One in four workers worry that AI will lead to job losses – Acas
Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employees in Britain what their biggest concerns about the use of AI were.
Zellis receives two nominations at Global Payroll Awards 2025
The ceremony, scheduled for 5th June in Warsaw, Poland, aims to celebrate commitment to excellence and innovation in the payroll industry.
Health & Wellbeing
Growing demand for sabbaticals as UK workers seek relief from burnout, says Robert Half
New research from Robert Half reveals 42% of UK employees want sabbaticals in 2025, as concern about burnout and workload pressures rises.
Caring duties leave nearly half of over 60s without pension savings – Phoenix Insights
Research revealed that among those with pension savings, carers had 17% less than the UK average, meaning a shortfall of about £37,000.
APN launches annual World Health & Safety week
The initiative is supported by the UK's eight major pallet networks, with teams at each network hub focusing on safety best practice and employee well-being.
UK records 604,000 workplace injuries in 2024, data reveals
According to the HSE, over 61,000 of these incidents were serious enough to be formally reported by employers under RIDDOR.
Employee Relations
Violence against ambulance staff hits record high, as AACE urges Government action
For the first time, annual reported incidents of violence, aggression, and abuse against ambulance personnel surged past 22,500, marking a nearly 15% increase on the previous year.
NHS staff fatigue a hidden risk to patient safety, HSSIB warns
The investigation found that the impact of staff fatigue on both patient safety and workforce wellbeing is not being addressed within current NHS systems.
North Somerset Council urges employers to book free workplace heart health checks
Nearly 1,000 checks have already been completed with more booked in, but spaces remain for workplaces to take part.
Bury Council launches community drive to safeguard young workers
The campaign is aimed at ensuring every child in work is protected and all employers are aware of their responsibilities.
Global HR
Government urged to introduce Workplace Justice Visa amid growing reports of migrant worker exploitation
The report by WoRC, entitled 'Safeguarding Sponsored Workers: A UK Workplace Justice Visa', outlined urgent reforms based on a six-country comparative study.
Language skills now critical to workforce access as EU migration rises 63%
Research from Preply revealed that a growing number of EU nations require applicants to demonstrate formal language proficiency as part of their residency and integration policies.
Burnout on the rise for Gen Z workers, as two thirds confess to not switching off from work
Click Offices analysed data from across the UK to see the impact of burnout on the workforce.
Remote work drives innovation in flexible cultures, Durham study finds
Remote work boosts innovation in egalitarian, flexible cultures, new Durham University study shows.