German workers will need sick note from day one of illness
03/07/2026Workers in Germany will require a sick note from the first day of illness after Friedrich Merz unveiled a package of reforms that also affect fixed-term contracts, executive dismissals and severance payments. Merz said that sick leave certificates can no…
Diversity at senior level has nothing to do with the pipeline
03/07/2026While diversity metrics often show progress at junior levels, look further up an organisation and it’s clear that diverse talent is not sticking around or not being afforded opportunities. Dr Aidan McKearney looks at why senior-level diversity is a progression…
Care worker was fairly dismissed after taking a service user home
03/07/2026An employment tribunal in Glasgow has ruled that a care provider acted fairly in dismissing a support worker for taking a vulnerable service user to his family home for New Year’s Day. Mr McPhail, who had worked for Lifeways Group…
Risk of absenteeism on Monday as England play overnight in the World Cup
02/07/2026Employment experts are warning of the risk of absenteeism on Monday 6 July, as England play their next Fifa World Cup game at 1:00am, while another heatwave hits the UK. Meanwhile, contrasting figures have emerged in the UK and US…
Labor market remains in ‘slack water’ state, economist says
02/07/2026A lackluster June jobs report indicates continued stagnation, but it may not take much for numbers to start slipping into the negatives, experts said. Source: www.hrdive.com
Tech accounts for nearly a third of US layoffs in the first half of 2026, Challenger finds
02/07/2026Sector job cuts jumped 83% from January through June on a year-over-year basis as AI rattles the workforce. Source: www.hrdive.com
Rising ‘bring your own AI’ trend can spell trouble for employers, expert warns
02/07/2026Without clear oversight, employee adoption of personally sourced AI tools can lead to issues with accuracy and compliance, Keith Spencer, a career expert, said. Source: www.hrdive.com
Closure of Coughlans Bakery is symptom of wider high street malaise
02/07/2026Family-owned bakery chain Coughlans Bakery, which is part-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, has ceased trading with around 175 jobs expected to be lost. The business, which was founded in 1937, has closed all 31 of its stores across south London,…
Revolt building at United Utilities over executive pay
02/07/2026An investor revolt could be building at United Utilities after a shareholder advisory group urged investors to vote against a new pay policy that would hand the company’s top executives hundreds of thousands of pounds in additional fixed remuneration. Institutional…
Draft code of practice on tipping released
02/07/2026Employers will be required to consult workers before introducing or reviewing workplace tipping policies under revised statutory guidance published by the government ahead of new rules due to take effect in October 2026. The government has published its response to…