HR
Building a startup is a healthy mix of energy, optimism, and of course, risk. The focus is often on product development, funding rounds, and scaling up fast. But in the rush to get off the ground, people management – the heartbeat of any organisation – can often skip a beat. And while it’s understandable, ignoring tried and tested HR best practices early on can be a costly mistake.
As employers brace themselves for hikes in National Insurance contributions (NICs) on 6 April 2025 and the reduction in the threshold at which they are due, GRiD has found that over a quarter (28%) of senior HR decision-makers believe that increased costs imposed by government such as higher employer NI contributions will present a significant challenge to their business in the next 12 months. Broken down by size of company, 30% of SMEs see this as a challenge, compared to 25% of large corporates.
With increases in National Insurance contributions due to take effect from 6 April, businesses and employees are both likely to feel the pinch. Towergate Employee Benefits’ annual research shows that less than half (48%) of UK companies offer salary sacrifice on their pension provision and they and their employees are therefore missing out on offsetting the costs.
Welcome to the Jungle, the global job-search and employer brand platform, has released its new printed book FUTURE(S): A Leader’s Guide to Rewriting the Rules of Work. Co-authored with Charter, a future-of-work research group, and a selection of global experts from business, academia, and workplace innovation, the book offers valuable advice to HR professionals, business leaders, and hiring managers on how to navigate today’s most pressing workplace challenges.
As International Women’s Day approaches (8 March, 2025), GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, is cautioning employers on providing one-size-fits all employee benefits for female staff, as their concerns are quite specific. Its research shows that female employees’ concerns about their physical health increase with age, but mental wellness-related issues peak earlier in life.
As companies navigate an increasingly turbulent external environment, communications and HR leaders have identified ‘change fatigue’ as one of the top five barriers to success, according to Gallagher’s 2025 Employee Communications Report. The report, which drew insights from more than 2,000 communication and HR leaders across 55 countries, found that 44% of HR leaders view change fatigue as a key battleground for success in 2025.













