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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

As we mark International HR Day on 20th May, we reflect on a whirlwind year that has redefined the function of global HR. From updates to employment law and return to office debates to shifting visa policies for international hires and mounting compliance pressures, in just 12 months, HR leaders have had a significant influx of changes to respond to.

According to the latest Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, small business employment in the UK with one to nine employees fell by 24,900 jobs, a 0.59% drop from March, ending four consecutive months of growth. Total employment for businesses with 1-9 employees is now at 4.2 million.

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month this May, there’s a growing recognition that wellbeing in the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a business essential.

The latest research from The Global Payroll Alliance (GPA), reveals that since Labour’s Autumn Statement in October 2024, the number of PAYE staff in the UK has fallen by -334,748, equivalent to -67,000 people going off the books every month as businesses battle to reduce overheads under the strain of increased staffing costs.

With almost half (48%) of UK companies now offering a four-day working week, new research from hybrid meeting technology leader Owl Labs reveals that UK workplaces are on the brink of a major shakeup in working patterns. Employees aren’t just embracing shorter weeks; they expect the four-day model to become standard in the next five years.

These numbers might get you rethinking employee benefits: nearly three-quarters of American workers would accept a slightly lower salary in exchange for better healthcare benefits. In the UK, 98% of employees actively use supermarket discounts offered through their benefits package, saving an average of £725 per year. Notice a pattern? The takeaway is that employees value benefits that provide real, lasting impact.

Nearly half (49%) of employees said that people that are perceived not to be doing their job properly is the thing that makes them angriest at work according to a new survey.

Pay transparency has been a topic of quiet contention in business for years. In the past, most businesses have kept proposed salaries, or even salary ranges, hidden from job adverts. The idea is that this allows them to attract as many candidates as possible without showing their cards to prospective employees or other prying eyes.

Closing out the financial year remains a major challenge for businesses. Reports identify 55% of organisations still struggle with outstanding invoices from the previous tax year, while 20% of unpaid invoices are reconciled four to six months late.

Despite the rise of hybrid work, the physical office remains vital for today’s workforce, serving as a place for social bonds and knowledge sharing.