'Astounding' growth of micro-businesses drives UK recruitment

Micro-businesses, those that employ up to ten people, are leading a new wave of recruitment in the private sector, according to research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Shadow justice minister: 'I'd favour contractors that offer opportunities to ex-offenders'

A Labour government would "favour" contractors that provide employment opportunities to ex-offenders when bidding for Ministry of Justice (MoJ) work, shadow secretary of state for justice Sadiq Khan...

Market power should be considered in zero-hours contract policies, says RPC

The employers’ market power over employees should be considered in a Government consultation about zero-hours contracts, independent assessors have advised.

Zero-hours contracts 'uncivilised' way to treat staff, says Labour MP

Labour MP Tom Watson (pictured) has called for a ban on zero-hours contracts, labelling them an "uncivilised way" to treat employees.

McDonald's VP HR defends use of zero-hours contracts

Jez Langhorn (pictured), vice president of people for McDonald's UK, has defended the fast-food chain's use of zero-hours contracts.

Legal implications of zero hours contracts

The reported rise in popularity of zero hours contracts has consistently made headlines in recent months.

Zero-hours contracts are cause for concern

The growing use of zero-hours contracts in the restaurant and leisure sectors are cause for concern for both employers and employees, particularly as the summer season gets underway and the use of...

Large rise in UK workers on "zero hours" contracts

Many of the UK's largest employers regularly employ workers on "zero hours" contracts, which keep staff on standby and deny them regular hours.

Paying Living Wage gives clear benefits to a company, says KPMG's Robert Bolton

There has been increasing discussion recently around the concept of the Living Wage for the nation’s legions of support staff such as cleaners, caterers, security staff and others – helped by the...

News

Here today, gone tomorrow: a look at commitment to work

How has the turmoil in the job markets impacted candidates' commitment to their workplace? Are career breaks, emigration, contract work and freelancing becoming more or less attractive and are these...

Expect serious workforce issues if you have lean staffing levels, organisations warned

A culture of long working hours is leading to a rise in sickness, stress and industrial action, according to a survey of 550 senior HR professionals representing a combined workforce of more than two...

Agency staff and the front-line services they deliver will be casualties of the huge cuts in public expenditure

The 6 billion worth of cuts in public expenditure planned by the chancellor, George Osborne, will damage delivery of front-line services because agency staff, on whom many parts of the public sector...