12 months of 2023: March

As we reach the end of the year, our 12 days of Christmas countdown revisits the key events of each month.

Cold homes lead to productivity losses

The majority (75%) of homeowners will keep their heating off despite saying that it will affect their productivity, according to a survey by builders’ merchant Jewson.

Half of employees have missed a bill payment due to inaccurate payroll

Nearly half (46%) of UK employees said they have missed a bill payment as a direct result of inaccurate payroll, according to payroll provider MHR.

Vacancies fall as pay growth cools

Vacancies in the UK have continued to fall while pay growth has slowed slightly, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Employers encouraged to change Secret Santa due to cost of living crisis

Employees will spend £167 million on workplace Secret Santa gifts this year, but £60 million of this will be wasted on unwanted items, according to finance network UK Money Bloggers and review website...

Real living wage increases to £12 in cost of living boost

The Living Wage Foundation’s 'real living wage' has risen to £12 an hour across the UK, a £1.10 increase.

Majority of low-paid workers using foodbanks

Despite inflation easing, 60% of low-paid workers have used food banks since September 2022, according to the Living Wage Foundation.

Ensure you have a transparent approach to pay or risk disruption later on

As HR professionals, you’re probably familiar with the common issue of recruiting people on salaries that are higher than your internal pay ranges. It’s a huge cause of much of the inequity we see in...

Sick leave hits 10-year high in cost of living crisis

UK employees missed work for an average of 7.8 days over the past year, the highest level in over a decade, according to new research.

The silent privilege of wellbeing amid the cost of living crisis

Nuffield Health’s 2023 Healthier Nation Index revealed 59% of individuals think the cost of living or a change in personal finances had negatively affected their mental health over the past year.

CIPP launches earned wage access guidelines

One in 10 UK employers now offer workers the option to be paid when they choose under earned wage access (EWA), and the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) has launched a new code of...

Homeowners turning to side hustles for mortgage repayments

Nearly a third (30%) of UK homeowners are picking up extra work to boost their savings ahead of their mortgage repayments increasing, according to new research.