Future of Work
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UK workers demand flexibility as hybrid rules shift
UK employees want flexibility at work, rejecting rigid office rules. A new report from Owl Labs shows 86% demand flexible hours, with a four-day week and work-to-rule tactics becoming mainstream. The findings highlight the growing expectation for autonomy, fluid schedules, and supportive technology.
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C-Suite misalignment hampers HR-led transformation
Four in ten leaders call for stronger C-Suite alignment. New research finds that CEOs back HR chiefs as equal partners in transformation, but finance and operations leaders remain sceptical of their influence.
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AI not cutting jobs yet, but leaders urged to act
AI is not yet reshaping jobs, but leaders must prepare. The New York Fed reports rising adoption of artificial intelligence without widespread layoffs, with most firms retraining staff. History suggests disruption lags adoption, leaving leaders a crucial window to redesign roles, embed trust, and invest in future skills.
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Hybrid work as a health lever
Hybrid working is proving to be more than a perk. CIPD and ONS data show flexible models cut absence, aid retention, and support productivity — but also risk digital presenteeism and deepening workforce divides if not well managed.
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UK pay settlements fall to lowest since December 2021
UK employers are tightening pay offers amid growing fiscal pressure. Median pay settlements fell to 3.0 per cent in the three months to July — the lowest since December 2021 — with just 9 per cent of employers awarding 4 per cent or more. Labour market cooling and tax concerns are driving caution ahead of…
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Youth Guarantee trailblazer scheme extended with funding boost
The Youth Guarantee trailblazer scheme has been extended by £45m. Ministers say the latest ONS figures — nearly one million young people classified as NEET — underscore the urgency. The extension supports eight regional pilots delivering personalised interventions, though critics warn that stronger action is still needed.
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PwC introduces ‘traffic-light’ dashboard to track office attendance across UK workforce
PwC UK unveils traffic-light dashboard to monitor office attendance. The tool uses data from badge swipes and Wi-Fi to flag low attendance, linking it to bonuses and reviews, while allowing exceptions for sickness and personal needs. Employees can view their own compliance levels in real time.
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Reskilling era vital for older workers as training investment falls, says CIPD
The UK’s ageing workforce is growing fast. Employers are investing less in training just as older workers face new risks from AI and the net zero transition. New CIPD research calls for urgent action to support reskilling and lifelong learning to keep older staff in work.
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Gen Z turns to side hustles as cost pressures mount
Most young UK workers now weigh up second jobs for survival. More than half of Gen Z and 71% of Millennials are considering side hustles as the cost-of-living crisis drives up financial anxiety among the UK’s youngest employees, according to new research by Boostworks.
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AI is ready. Are your people?
AI is fast becoming essential for businesses of all sizes. Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero, explores how SMEs can drive real gains through people-first AI strategies. Recognition, support, and leadership — not just tools — are key to making AI work.