Rebecca Perrault: Do RTO workplace policies drive talent away?
The debate about returning to work (RTO), which began at the beginning of this year, has grown. The workplace flexibility of the Pandemic era is being replaced by rigid attendance policies, which are framed as necessary for culture and collaboration. These decisions seem to be increasingly detached from workplace realities and employee preference. We must […]
Hybrid workers are less stressed and sick.
A study suggests that hybrid workers are less likely to take sick days, have lower stress levels, are better able access health checks and are able report a better work-life-balance. International Workplace Group, a flexible workspaces provider, surveyed more than 2,000 hybrid employees and found that 34% of them said that they had taken fewer […]
Florida relaxes child labor laws
New laws in Florida, the US state, will allow children as young as fourteen to work overnight shifts. On Tuesday, the state legislature advanced Senate Bill 918 that would loosen child labor laws and allow teenagers to work night shifts during school days. The state law prohibits teenagers from working before 6.30am and after 11:00pm. […]
WH Smith confirms the sale of its high-street shops, but has not said anything about jobs
The WH Smith brand will disappear from high streets after the private equity firm Modella Capital agreed to buy its 480 stores. Modela, who acquired Hobbycraft in the past year, is rebranding the chain to TGJones and keeping the Post Office outlets which operate at many branches. Earlier estimates indicate that around 5,000 employees in […]
Seven out of 10 builders find mental health difficult to discuss
A poll found that nearly seven out of ten builders suspected their colleague was seriously depressed, but felt it would be ‘too hard’ to speak to them about it. St John Ambulance surveyed 500 construction workers and found that 71% of them admitted giving their employer an alternative reason for being absent from work. This […]
Asda raises hourly wages and improves its family-friendly policies
Asda will increase the hourly wage rates of its employees over a three-phased investment totaling 80 million PS. Around 115,000 employees in retail and express will receive a 4,7% increase over the course of three phases. Pay rates will rise for employees across the UK from PS12.04 up to PS12.21 by April, PS12.45 by July […]
Sky to cut 2,000 jobs by closing call centres
Sky will close three call centres and reduce the size of two others in northern England, resulting in around 2,000 job losses. These changes will affect about 7% of the UK staff at the media and telecommunications company and are subject to consultation. Sky will shut down three of its 10 call centres, including Leeds, […]
Burnout among shift workers and hospitality workers
According to a recent study, more than eight out of ten shift workers and seven out of ten hospitality workers suffer from poor mental health. Planday, a provider of shift scheduling software, surveyed 2,000 shift workers as well as 250 hospitality shift workers managers. The results showed that 85% reported poor mental health and 76% […]
Former Citibank employee resolves sex-discrimination case
Former Citibank employee settles a claim of sex discrimination and disability for PS215,000. Maeve Bradley was an assistant vice-president at the Belfast branch of the bank. She went on maternity in spring 2023. She thought she would be promoted upon her return. Bradley called a manager to inform them that she was applying for reduced […]
In April, most businesses will have to adjust their wages.
The majority of businesses will need to adjust their pay structures as a result of the national minimum wage increases in April. Brightmine, a HR insights firm, conducted an analysis on the impact of employee retention and pay differentials. Brightmine data indicates that nearly 60% of organizations will have to increase wages. Three-quarters expect challenges […]