Operational Efficiency

A quarter of workers judge colleagues on their appearance

A quarter (25%) of workers ranked appearance as the most important factor when meeting someone for the first time at work, followed by personal hygiene (23%) and then someone’s job title (17%).

The four-day week – does it really work?

Our perspective on working routines has shifted over the last 18 months as the pandemic has brought unavoidable remote working. It’s forced many companies who were previously reluctant to employ...

Hot seat: the HR role in securing M&A success

Somewhere between 70% and 90% of all mergers and acquisitions (M&A) fail to achieve their strategic and financial objectives. The reasons for this are complex, but the management of people is key to...

Ex-offenders a “massive untapped resource” in talent crisis

Employers are losing out on a huge talent pool by not considering people with criminal records for employment.

Racial equity: What to do when you fear saying the wrong thing

You want to support your black colleagues and build a more just, equitable workplace. But you’re concerned that an inappropriate word will upset or alienate your black colleagues, expose you and your...

Care sector vacancies soar, while applications slump

Poor morale and concerns over mandatory vaccinations mean that the care sector is struggling to keep roles filled.

Amazon: new legal challenge could cost firm £140 million

Law firm Leigh Day has launched a potentially £140 million compensation claim on behalf of Amazon drivers working as 'delivery service partners'.

UK faces labour shortage: what can employers do to manage?

The UK now has the lowest ratio of unemployed people to vacancies since records began in 1971.

A third of young workers concerned about proximity bias

A third (34%) of 18-to-24-year-olds are concerned that working remotely will mean they miss out on progression opportunities.

Key steps for HR as dust settles post off-payroll

We learned from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) latest annual accounts that Network Rail is hiring 79% of contractors on an outside IR35 basis.

Black grads need backing, not just recruitment

Employers cannot encourage racial equality merely by hiring young black people and hoping for the best.