Pandemic

Working mums lack sufficient childcare for school summer holidays

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of working mums with primary school age children do not have sufficient childcare for the six-week school summer holidays, according to the TUC.

Employment tribunals at breaking point

Employment tribunals are functioning at a snail’s pace, according to a survey from the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA), threatening access to justice for both workers and employers.

Acas publishes new flexible working guidance

Acas has published new flexible working guidance ahead of 'Freedom Day' on 19 July when most COVID-19 restrictions will end in England.

Gender equality critical to post-pandemic profits

Gender parity is crucial for COVID-19 recovery, as new research reveals women in senior roles outperform male-run companies by nearly 40%.

Amazon and Sky join employers supporting vaccine rollout

Amazon, Metro Bank, Sky and Three UK have joined a growing list of employers  encouraging their staff to get vaccinated in partnership with the UK government.

How wellbeing initiatives have boosted employee engagement post-pandemic

The uptake in employee wellbeing initiatives has increased since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and does not appear to be slowing down.

News

Pandemic drives UK businesses to improve parental leave

Employers are three times more likely to offer generous and extended parental leave than three years ago, according to new research by job site Indeed.

Furlough and Universal Credit uplift saved working families

Government financial support provided a lifeline to workers struggling with in-work poverty during the coronavirus pandemic.

Government must cut cost of job sharing, urge MPs

MPs and non-profit groups (NGOs) have called on the UK government to make job sharing a mainstream working practice.

Sickness absences fall to lowest rate in 15 years, highlighting work from home pitfall

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, UK sickness absence fell last year, sparking fears that employees are continuing to work while ill and working from home.

Employees scared to ask for pay rises post-pandemic

Employees are less confident about asking for a pay rise than they were pre-pandemic as they fear their company has struggled financially over the past 18 months.

More employers to offer 'burnout weeks'

The number of employers offering staff paid 'burnout weeks', intended to alleviate the stresses of the pandemic, is increasing and looks set to become a trend.