Brexit: Impact on Unemployment and Recruitment

We have officially left the EU and are in a transition period, but it is this transition period which is key phase as it will result in how the UK and EU conduct future trade. Negotiations are currently ongoing to determine the future relationship between the UK and EU. The agreement will be vital in determining how Brexit impacts on the […]
Government announces ‘Office for Talent’ to improve scientist immigration experience

The government plans to create a new cross-departmental ‘Office for Talent’ to help leading researchers and scientists to live and work in the UK post-Brexit. Its UK Research and Development Roadmap builds on a budget previously announced in March, that will prioritise ground-breaking research, attract global talent and cut any unnecessary red tape. The aim […]
How to deal with bullying in the workplace

A survey of over 2,000 UK employees found that more than a third (37%) have been victim to bullying in the workplace. While it’s a challenge to find up to date statistics on the state of bullying in the workplace in the UK, there is an interesting survey that was conducted for solicitors Slater and […]
Voluntary work experience going unnoticed

Employers are failing to ask candidates about voluntary work experience, meaning that they might be missing out on skilled potential employees. The CIPD published a study that found that less than a fifth of employers asked about voluntary experience at the application stage, whilst only a third of recruiters asked about it at interview; and […]
Recruiting Talent: A HR Solutions Guide

We know that recruiting new staff can be a veritable minefield if you’re not completely clear on what you want. At HR Solutions we have the expertise to make sure that you get the best people into your business – and we’re sharing some of our tips on how. With employment traditionally picking up towards […]
One in seven care workers on zero- hours contracts

The latest Office for National Statistics figures show a steep rise in the number of care workers on zero-hours contracts. In 2015, the number stood at roughly one in ten. It is now one in seven. Unemployment steady but employment insecure These figures follow the news that in the three months up to August, UK […]
Ministers urged to tackle Muslim unemployment inequality in the UK

A House of Commons report has revealed that Muslim unemployment is the highest of all the ethnic and religious groups in the UK. The report by the Women and Equalities Committee, found that the average unemployment figure is 5.4%, but the figure among Muslims is 12.8%. The Employment Opportunities for Muslims in the UK report, […]
UK Unemployment Hits Decade Low

UK unemployment held at 5.1% over the three months from November to January, the lowest rate since 2006. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that weekly earnings grew at a faster pace than expected. Meanwhile job creation slowed over the same period. The number of unemployed fell by 28,000 from the last quarter to […]
Tipping Point for Flexible Working in 2017

Next year will see the tipping point for flexible working in the UK, according to new research. Lancaster University’s Work Foundation indicates that over half of UK businesses are likely to adopt flexible working practices by 2017. The paper, ‘Working Anywhere: A Winning Formula for Good Work?’ aimed to estimate when flexible working will become […]
Too Many Applicants: Store Swamped at Open Recruitment Event

An electronics shop in Northampton found itself inundated with applicants when it held an open recruitment event. 150 hopeful job hunters queued outside of the CeX shop in Weston Favell, Northampton in January when the shop held an open evening to hire new staff. Whilst there were only four vacancies originally advertised, six people were ultimately offered positions. […]
Best UK Jobs for 2016 Revealed

Employer review website Glassdoor has revealed their list of the 25 best jobs in the UK for the year ahead. Glassdoor identifies the most desirable jobs in the country based on three factors: earning potential, career opportunities and job availability. This is the second such annual survey by the site. Management roles made up eight of the […]
Restaurant Cuts Hours to Improve Quality of Life

An award-winning restaurant has reduced its opening hours in a bid to improve staff quality of life. Hibiscus, a two Michelin-starred establishment run by chef Claude Bosi, has reduced its lunch services from five days to three days a week. Lunch now runs from Thursday to Saturday whilst dinner runs from Tuesday to Saturday, giving staff […]
Majority of Employees to Work at Christmas

More than half of UK employees (63%) will be at work at Christmas Eve according to a study by fashion brand Cotton Traders. Over 30% will work on Christmas Day itself. Almost half of those surveyed said that they will do so to earn extra income, with 41% expecting to receive double pay for working at […]
UK Pay Increase Predicted for 2016

UK workers look set to receive an average pay increase of 2.3% in 2016. This will be the largest ‘real-terms’ salary rise since 2008. This forecast follows research by Korn Ferry Hay Group. Whilst the rate of pay increase looks set to be at the same as this year (2.5%), the level of inflation is […]
Dangers of Working Holidays

The Christmas period means a seasonal slowdown in some industries, but for many December is the busiest and most stressful month of the year. If it’s not an increase in demand as people rush to get things done before Christmas itself, it’s the need to get everything signed off and finished before the end of […]
Off-Payroll Workers Facing Crackdown
A Government clampdown on ‘off-payroll’ workers could change the way that companies use freelance workers and contractors. According to leaked reports, chancellor George Osborne is due to outline plans to reduce tax avoidance in this month’s Autumn Statement. The measures, which have not been officially confirmed, are expected to result in a heavy clampdown on […]
Room to Improve Internal Mobility Programmes

Research finds that businesses can do more to recruit talent from within. A survey by management firm Futurestep polled over 1,000 employees between September and October of this year. 87% of the executive-level employees said that having a strong internal mobility programme would definitely help with talent attraction and retention. Despite this, two-thirds of the respondents reported that […]
Living Wage Foundation Announces New Rates
The Living Wage Foundation has announced the voluntary Living Wage rates for the next twelve months. For all areas of the UK outside of London the rate has increased from £7.85 to £8.25 per hour. The London Living Wage, which reflects the higher price of living in the capital, has risen from £9.15 to £9.40. […]
Aldi to Pay More than Voluntary Living Wage

German supermarket chain Aldi has committed to pay its UK employees more than the voluntary living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation. The supermarket will pay at least £8.40 an hour (£9.45 an hour in London) from February 2016, which is higher than most other UK supermarkets and higher than the Living Wage. This […]
Companies Failing to Embrace Flexible Working

It has been one year since the Government rolled flexible working out to all UK employees, but research suggests that employers are still not quite sure how to manage it. A recent survey by workingmums.co.uk found that over a fifth of working mothers believed that they had no choice but to leave their jobs after their […]