HR

Parents say working local and hybrid is key to alleviating strain of childcare

New research from International Workplace Group has revealed that over half (58%) of UK parents are stressed about arranging childcare ahead of the upcoming school summer holidays. 72% of parents surveyed said they would utilise a local workspace or nearby office, closer to home, in order to reduce this stress.

A 10 step guide to cultivating wellbeing and success in a startup

If you are a manager or startup founder reading this – and you probably are, based on the title of the magazine – then you are probably already overloaded with ambiguous, random advice on how to build culture. Or you’re inundated by LinkedIn posts telling you how you’re a terrible person if you don’t let your staff work from Bali year-round on a four-day work week. Or you’ve read a couple of Walter Isaacson biographies and now you’re thinking the trick is to act like a dictator.

Gen Z employees financially fragile and under-rewarded

New research from Boostworks, a provider of employee reward, recognition, and benefits solutions, has revealed that Generation Z workers are facing significant financial strain, and they are increasingly turning to their employers for practical support.

The business case for effective mental health provision

The conversation around workplace mental health has evolved dramatically in the past few years. What was once considered a ‘nice-to-have’ employee benefit has become critical to business, and the numbers tell a compelling story that no organisation can afford to ignore.

Gen Z miles ahead on AI: employers risk falling behind without action

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the workplace at unprecedented speed, new insights from Instant Offices suggest that Gen Z employees are already embracing AI tools far more fluently than many of their employers, highlighting a critical knowledge and leadership gap that UK businesses must urgently address.

How the UK tax regime is driving entrepreneurs to Dubai

Entrepreneurs have more choice than ever before when it comes to where to set up their business. The UK’s business taxation regime means the country is becoming less attractive to startups and entrepreneurs and, as a result, more UK businesses – especially in the highly mobile services sector – are considering their options when it comes to where to locate their business.

Out of sight, out of promotion: workers worry distance dulls career prospects

New research shows a growing wave of anxiety amongst office workers. As more firms order workers back to the office, more than a third (36%) of European workers worry that being ‘out of sight’ means that they are ‘out of mind’ when it comes to career progression or advancement opportunities, a figure which is even more pronounced in the UK (40%).

UK business travellers say employer could do more to ensure safety

Six in ten (60%) UK business travellers believe their employer could do more to ensure their safety while travelling for work, according to a new Opinium survey of 500 business travellers, commissioned by World Travel Protection.

UK businesses save over £40K/month with flexible workforce

New data from Fiverr’s third annual UK Future Workforce Index reveals that over a third (35%) of UK businesses are saving over £40,000 per month by turning to freelancers – with the average monthly saving exceeding £33,000 – highlighting the hard value of workforce flexibility in today’s challenging economic climate.

Britian’s SMEs forced to wear more ‘hats’ as workforce shrinks

New research from Virgin Media O2 Business reveals small and medium sized enterprise (SME) directors are spending an average of 10 hours per working week on tasks outside of their core expertise, as recent ONS data shows falling UK employment levels.

Support, not surveillance: office returns done right

Office use across Europe has returned to around 70% of pre-pandemic levels, prompting businesses to rethink how they bring employees back into physical workplaces. Many are investing in technology that encourages collaboration, streamlines operations and supports sustainability goals.

The benefits of salary transparency for both employers and employees

Ask a Brit how much they earn, and you’re likely to be met with awkward laughter or a change of subject. But while we’re famously tight-lipped about pay, that cultural discretion is being quietly eroded, at least on job ads. In fact, UK employers are now leading the way in Europe when it comes to salary transparency in job postings.

Over half of UK companies name employee benefits as a top financial challenge

Against an ever-changing economic backdrop, UK companies have cited employee benefits costs as a pressing challenge, according to Gallagher’s Workforce Trends Report. The report also found that organisations are looking to adapt their benefit strategies to address economic pressures and the diverse needs and expectations of their workforce.

Legal pitfalls every startup founder should know

Launching a startup is a complex and multifaceted process that involves more than just ideas, technology, and interpersonal relationships. It also includes legal aspects that should be addressed from the very beginning. Mistakes made in the early stages can be costly – ranging from loss of control over the business to legal disputes with partners or investors.

Fewer than two-thirds of employers ‘very confident’ in pension compliance

Less than two-thirds (57%) of employers are ‘very confident’ that their pension scheme is compliant with automatic enrolment regulations, according to new research by Towergate Employee Benefits. This is leaving businesses open to the possibility of non-compliance notices and fines.

Delaying pay rises is leading to staff turnover

Nearly half of business leaders have seen an increase in employee turnover after delaying pay rises for professionals and white-collar workers, according to new research from global talent solutions business Robert Walters.

How building trust can help leaders mitigate workplace stress

In today’s fast-paced and often high-pressure work environment, stress has become part of working life. So, what can leaders do to mitigate its impact on their teams? One very effective yet often overlooked way to reduce workplace stress is by building trust.

Forget quiet quitting, are your employees ‘quiet cracking’ at work?

Whilst quiet quitting might be a healthy boundary-setting response to overwork, the latest workplace phenomenon, ‘quiet cracking’, describes a much more troubling deterioration of the employee-employer relationship.

Sage 50 Evolves with AI Automation to Power the Future of UK SMBs

Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced major enhancements that bring AI-driven insights, automation, and seamless connectivity to Sage 50 customers in the UK. Sage 50 has just become more powerful, connected, and secure while preserving the features SMBs know and trust.

Only 4 in 10 employees thought understand their employee benefits

The latest research from Towergate Employee Benefits shows that only 39% of employers believe their employees have a good understanding of the full range of employee benefits provided.