Confidence among British business is on the rise for the first time in 13 months but 320,000 more job losses are expected during the next quarter, according to BDO Stoy Hayward.

Almost two fifths of employees (39%) think benefits have become more important to them in the current economic instability.

More than two thirds (68%) of privately-held businesses are planning to stand firm in the recession and either keep staff levels the same or increase them over the coming year.

Masterlease UK, the fleet management company, is using self-service software from Sage HR & Payroll to reduce HR admin and increase employee engagement.

Employers plan to reduce travel, fringe benefits and the opportunity to work over time as budgets are cut in recession.

Only one in 10 employees believe they are in the perfect job and 14% have lost faith that their perfect job even exists, according to Monster.

Almost a fifth of British workers would rather have sex with their boss for a quick promotion rather than work hard to earn it.

More than six out of 10 employees (62%) think their employer is placing less emphasis on health and safety as a result of the recession.

The HR profession needs greater and timelier involvement in strategic business decisions, say its members.

Staff returning to work after long-term illness are at risk of depression although managers are unaware, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

The number of unemployed people claiming jobseeker's allowance has leapt by 73,800 in the three months prior to December last year.

HR is the weakest area for job vacancies with the number of online posts declining for the seventh consecutive month.