WPP, the advertising giant, demands a return to office
The advertising giant WPP informed its employees they would have to be in the office at least four times a week beginning April. Mark Read, the chief executive of the company, sent a memo to more than 100,000 employees yesterday (7 January), stating that “the success of the business still depends on the fundamentals: human […]
McDonald’s Chief accused of running “predator paradise”
A MP accused McDonald’s CEO of running the company as a “predator’s heaven” and a “hotbed of harassment”, while he was being grilled by a select committee of parliament. Yesterday (7 January), the Business and Trade Committee held a second hearing in its Making Work Pay inquiry regarding the upcoming Employment Rights Bill. The committee […]
Addison Lee drivers winning worker status cases
A tribunal ruled all Addison Lee employees are workers and entitled to holiday pay backdated as well as compensation for lost earnings. Around 700 drivers presented their claims at an October and November 2024 hearing, arguing they were workers and not self-employed contractors and entitled to rights like holiday pay and national minimum wage. The […]
Pay discussions disadvantage ethnic minorities
According to a study by the campaign group People Like Us, ethnic minority workers are twice as likely to have their pay raise or promotion denied. The survey revealed that 40% of ethnic minorities workers had their pay raise or promotion revoked because of the current economic climate. This compares to only 23% of white […]
Ten HR predictions for 2025
The new year presents another chance to predict how HR and work will evolve in the months ahead. In keeping with HRZone’s tradition, we asked our top writers from 2024 for their HR predictions of 2025. Both approaches are welcomed. Looking ahead to the new year, it is important to have a balance of optimism, […]
Top HR challenges for UK start-ups in 2025 – From talent wars to remote woes
The UK’s startup ecosystem is continuing to grow, and 2025 will bring new HR challenges for growing businesses. Start-ups face a number of challenges, including the need to navigate hybrid working and fierce competition to attract skilled talent, as well as stay ahead of regulatory change. Anthony Sutton has over 25 years of practical HR […]
Mind the gap between organisational culture and values stated in UK workplaces
Actions speak louder than words – and a new survey conducted by Nottingham Business School found a gap between the stated values of UK organisations and the behaviours observed within their workplaces. Organisational culture, defined as the collective behaviours, thoughts, and feelings within a company, has a profound impact on performance and ethical conduct. Despite […]
The growing skills divide hindering regional growth in the UK
A new report by the Learning and Work Institute warns of a widening skills divide across the UK, with London and the South-East continuing to dominate educational attainment while other regions struggle to keep pace. The gap in qualifications is becoming a barrier to balanced economic growth, with stark disparities in degree-level education across the […]
From First Click to the Last Day: Mapping the employee journey in order to retain, engage and grow.
By Charles Beaumont Co-Founder and CTO of TheyDo Sarah, a software developer, is scrolling through LinkedIn when she notices a job posting that has a lot of energy. The job post tells a tale, features employee testimonials and highlights valuable perks. She clicks on the link to an easy application process. Even before she hits […]
O’Reilly 2025 Tech Trends Report highlights AI skills growth and focus on security
O’Reilly, a provider of technology and business learning, has released its Technology Trends for 2025 report. Drawing on data from its 2.8 million platform users, the report looks at key technology trends expected to shape business strategies in the coming year. The findings show a strong growth in AI-related skills and tools, alongside a rising […]