UK officially enters recession
The ONS announces that Britain’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 20.4% in the second quarter of 2020, the biggest quarterly decline since records began in 1955.
Scientists discover coronavirus could have been circulating in the UK for longer than expected, as the first person known to be was found to have tested positive on 21 February.
Various countries open and close to travel from the UK, creating concerns about employee rights if travelling abroad, and the furlough scheme is accused of masking the true scale of UK unemployment.
By lifting guidance for vulnerable adults who had been shielding since the outbreak of coronavirus, charities warn government that they could be putting their livelihoods at risk.
HR starts plans to bring employees back to work
Towards the end of the month, government suggests it will announce plans to encourage workers to return to their workplace if possible to help high-street economies bounce back.
Though a large number of firms have made pay cuts to help limit the impact of the pandemic’s recession, the High Pay Centre finds that there is still a large disparity in executive pay.
And slowed career progression for young employees threatens to have an impact on the post-pandemic job market.
The best bits of HR magazine from August 2020:
A critical mission in a time of crisis at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Kessar Kalim, HRD at LSHTM, is our profile for this issue and shares the ways the organisation has adapted to coronavirus.
Are you living at the office or working from home?
Our feature on internal communications looks at how organisations toe the lie between employee support and overstimulation.
Does the UK need a more positive approach to open door policies?
We look at the role open door policies have in a fast-changing climate.
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