
One billion women experience menopause around the world today. The International Menopause Society (IMS) has urged employers to take action ahead of World Menopause Day 2025, calling for stronger workplace awareness, practical support measures, and integration of menopause into global wellbeing and HR strategies.

Many women still feel isolated in their menopause experience. In a World Menopause Month piece, Kerri Mee, Clinical Lead at Onebright, outlines why workplace action plans must go beyond policy and actively support women’s health, wellbeing, and retention — ensuring menopause is no longer a workplace taboo.

More than half of C-suite leaders involve HR too late. New research from LACE Partners finds that delayed engagement risks undermining transformation success, as 53% of executives say HR only joins once implementation begins and 41% admit people workstreams fail through lack of early funding and prioritisation.

UK employers face higher fees for hiring skilled migrant workers. The Home Office will enforce new English language requirements and increase employer fees by 32% to fund local training. Immigration rules aim to reduce net migration and improve integration.

The UK government announces £50 million for mental health research. The funding aims to accelerate the development of treatments by involving those with lived experience in the innovation process, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes across the NHS.

Businesses are moving beyond tick-box wellbeing policies. For World Mental Health Day, Business Quarter speaks with leaders embedding psychological safety, inclusion, and empathy into the fabric of daily work — from wellbeing hubs and mentoring schemes to inclusive language and sensory-friendly design.
UK job market struggles amid rising job seekers and minimal salary growth. The latest survey data indicates an increase in job seekers, attributed to redundancies and non-replacement of staff, while starting salary growth remains negligible, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.

Independent workplace investigations are now central to leadership accountability. Daniel Stander, an international employment lawyer in the London office of Vedder Price LLP, explains why UK employers must prepare for NDA reforms and ensure credible, well-scoped probes to safeguard reputation, culture, and compliance when allegations arise.

Google UK cut 400 jobs despite nearly £3bn in revenue. The company reduced headcount to 7,029 in 2024 while pre-tax profits rose above £400m. The cuts coincide with a £5bn UK investment plan, a new Waltham Cross data centre, and a £25bn lawsuit over online advertising practices.
Over a quarter of women face workplace harassment in the UK. WalkSafe’s data highlights persistent harassment issues, with 27% of women and 16% of men affected. Many employees believe companies should enhance safety measures, valuing anonymous reporting systems.