SELECT backs Scotland’s Housing Emergency Action Plan, warns of skills shortage
Jim Cooper said: “I genuinely feel the industry will be in a critical period if it doesn’t ensure that enough skilled labour is coming through."
Latest
Compensation & Benefits
60% of adults rank PMI as top workplace benefit – Howden Life and Health
Howden’s research found that 27% of adults have paid for private treatment themselves in the past five years.
EZOO calls on EV community to champion electrification for World EV Day
Salary sacrifice provider EZOO is urging staff, customers and EV drivers to share positive experiences and challenge misconceptions as part of World EV Day.
Recruitment & HR
Ciphr launches real-time HR and payroll integration
The cloud-based system lets users work in real time in both HR and payroll, even at busy payroll times, without affecting pay run data.
Grassroots Recruitment launches Hiring Insights Reports to improve hiring decisions
These reports use live data and Grassroots’ sector knowledge to give employers a clearer picture of the local recruitment market.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council consults on plan to add 84 hectares of employment land
The plan covers everything from new homes and jobs to transport, green spaces and regeneration of derelict sites.
Contract recruitment rises year-on-year as firms favour flexible hiring
APSCo’s latest Hiring Trends report shows contract roles up 11% in August compared to 2024, despite a seasonal slowdown in permanent hiring.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Government refreshes WBC to drive workplace equality and boost women’s pay
New members have been brought in to tackle issues like the gender pay gap, sexual harassment, pay, progression and productivity.
Inclusive Companies reveals 2025 Inclusive Awards finalists for workplace D&I
Winners will be named at the Hurlingham Club, London, on 27th November 2025.
Towergate warns employers on cultural sensitivities for World Suicide Prevention Day
Towergate Employee Benefits has urged businesses with overseas staff to consider cultural differences when communicating around suicide prevention ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day.
TUC research finds 4 million people in insecure work across the UK
New analysis by the TUC shows one in eight workers were in insecure jobs in 2024, with growth concentrated in low-paid sectors and disproportionately affecting BME workers.
Technology
Deloitte Legal partners with Legora to deliver AI solutions for legal sector
The two businesses plan to make legal services more efficient and deliver better results for clients.
La Fosse to launch female mentorship programme to support future leaders in tech
The scheme, unveiled following the company’s UNBOUND initiative launched in July, will pair experienced leaders with rising female talent to provide skills, confidence, and guidance for career progression.
QA launches BLX to address workplace training issues
Ben Sweetman said: “Organisations need more ways to learn; that’s a critical aspect of the value we offer. BLX is built to solve that."
Health & Wellbeing
14% of employees value quirky office features for job satisfaction – Mitie
46% said uncomfortable or badly designed offices led to job dissatisfaction, while 40% pointed to poor amenities and a lack of breakout rooms as issues.
Jessamy Staffing Solutions launches midlife workplace training course
The course is aimed at leaders, HR professionals and managers, giving them practical tools to support staff through midlife transitions.
Workplace absence rates rises to 9.4 days per worker a year – CIPD
Mental ill health such as depression or anxiety was the top reason for long-term absence, reported by 41% of employers.
iRG Repair Group commits to reforestation partnership with JUST ONE Tree
Vehicle repair specialist iRG has joined forces with JUST ONE Tree, pledging donations linked to staff milestones and customer reviews to support global restoration projects.
Employee Relations
51% of employees feel disconnected under hybrid working – IRIS Software
Only 9% of 18 to 24-year-olds saw hybrid working as a top workplace benefit.
Union engagement gives firms the edge on new employment rights, says UNISON
Christina McAnea, general secretary at UNISON, said: “The reforms are popular, long overdue and exactly what this country needs."
MARCH appoints first chief people officer
In her new role, Jo Pick will lead MARCH’s people strategy, focusing on team development and career progression.
Hybrid work is key as Tube strikes cause chaos, says HiBob
Ronni Zehavi said: “By leaning into flexible working, especially in moments of disruption, businesses can strengthen culture and build a more resilient workforce.”
Global HR
Linklaters appoints Lynne Burns as CPO
Burns will lead the people function globally from London and work closely with Aedamar Comiskey and Paul Lewis.
UK records sharp decline in hiring plans – ManpowerGroup
The UK recorded the sharpest drop in planned hiring globally, down 17 percentage points year-on-year and 8 points on the quarter.
Teesside University Online expands global reach through FutureLearn partnership
The deal will see TU Online’s undergraduate, postgraduate and certificate programmes promoted and available through FutureLearn.
Workday targeted in cyber attack but says customer data not affected
The company said the incident formed part of a wider social engineering campaign affecting “many large organisations,” in which attackers posed as HR or IT staff.