165 employers now offer equal parental leave for dads and partners, report finds
The report from Parenting Out Loud found that, of the 165 employers with EPL, 72 allowed up to six months fully paid paternity leave.
Latest
College Merthyr Tydfil and General Dynamics partner to launch engineering academy
The academy will open in September 2025 and aims to give learners hands-on experience with real industry tools and systems.
Ben continues summer holidays support programme for automotive workers
It will help families with the cost of bills, food, school uniforms, and opportunities for days out and activities.
South Cambridgeshire District Council votes to permanently adopt four-day week
Under the new pattern, council staff are expected to do all their work in about 80% of their contracted hours, with no pay cut.
University of Nottingham and Briggs of Burton partner to launch hands-on training academy
The academy will offer both theory and practical training for Briggs of Burton staff, while also giving students hands-on experience.
Most Brits who use AI do not trust chatbots for work information – YouGov
Most turn to AI to find factual information, with 80% using it for simple topics and 75% for complicated ones.
Boots, LSEG, Savills among winners of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award
This year’s winners came from a range of industries including finance, healthcare, retail, local Government and construction.
Compensation & Benefits
Only 14% of employers have a good understanding of employees’ needs, survey finds
The findings from Towergate Employee Benefits showed that most employers are taking steps to learn what support staff would find helpful, with 86% saying they ask employees about their needs.
Resolution Ventures launches £9m WorkerTech fund to back start-ups
The new fund will help support more start-ups tackling issues facing workers, especially in sectors defined by precarious work and low pay.
Recruitment & HR
Labour market cools as vacancies drop for 38th consecutive period – ONS
The unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was 4.7%, also up on the quarter and higher than last year.
NI Economy Minister launches Assured Skills Academy with EY
The academy will focus on practical experience in a strategy and transactions role, giving participants key business and technical skills.
Hounslow Youth Council launches recruitment drive for young people
Samia Chaudhary said: “The HYC is a powerful example of what can happen when we listen to young voices and empower them to deliver."
Gloucestershire County Council launches Connect to Work scheme
Linda Cohen said: “By supporting those who face barriers to getting into or getting back to work we are fostering a more inclusive and supportive community."
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Lomond and Muse among 2025 Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property
Other firms listed included BUUK Infrastructure, H&MV Engineering, Hilti, L&Q, Places for People and Keon Homes.
Benefit Cosmetics named among 2025 Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure
Other large and super large firms listed were Encore, Hilton, Hugo Boss, Savers Health and Beauty, Shake Shack UK and Specsavers.
Blake Morgan and Suzy Lamplugh Trust partner on workplace safety
The partnership will see a series of online and in-person sessions designed to help employers understand their legal duties around harassment.
Money stress remains top barrier to workplace inclusion – moneyappi
Ray Law said: “Employers who address this gap head-on will help build a fairer, more inclusive workplace where everyone has the chance to thrive.”
Technology
Public sector trails private sector in AI investment and strategy, report reveals
A survey from Access PaySuite found 58% of public sector bodies are investing in AI, but only 10% have significant strategies in place.
Tesco partners with Peoplesafe to offer safety app for 300,000 employees
The move came after staff said in listening sessions that they sometimes felt unsafe travelling to and from work.
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.
Health & Wellbeing
Majority of working Brits favour wellbeing over socialising, research reveals
Reward Gateway | Edenred found that 58% of British employees said they had prioritised their wellbeing, compared to 40% in the previous year.
PDA calls on pharmacists to complete workplace wellbeing survey
The Workplace Wellbeing and Culture survey is aimed at helping pharmacists across the UK with mental health, financial resilience and overall wellbeing.
National at-work health service would cut absences and boost workforce, report finds
The Fabian Society said a national service would give everyone access to good quality support from both public and private sectors.
27% say working past retirement could help them live longer – Bupa
Over one in four employees over 55 said they did not feel supported to stay in work.
Employee Relations
Most UK firms miss fraud law training, leaving them at risk – VinciWorks
Over a third (35%) of those surveyed said they still use spreadsheets for anti-money laundering onboarding, while 23% have no formal system at all.
S&A Academy urges employers to enrol staff before senior leadership funding ends
Jemma Perks said: “The government’s decision to withdraw funding has a direct impact on both employers and employees across the financial services sectors."
ABM Alliance relocates to refurbished Jubilee Hall workspace in Bristol
Jack Thompson and Gabriel Pike said: “The most important thing was having a space where ABM could grow and flourish as a company."
Rygor Group secures Great Place to Work recognition for fourth year
Rygor Group has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the fourth consecutive year, with employees praising its values, rewards and culture.
Global HR
MAN Truck & Bus partners with TUM Venture Labs to boost mobility innovation
MAN Truck & Bus has formed a strategic partnership with TUM Venture Labs to strengthen collaboration with deep tech start-ups and advance mobility innovation.
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.