UK Pay Awards at Lowest Level Since 2021
The median basic pay rise for the three months to the end of January 2025 stays at 3 percent – the second consecutive rolling quarter at this level. The new data from HR data and insights provider Brightmine shows a continued slowdown in pay growth, with 3 percent being the lowest median pay award recorded […]
Six out of ten young professionals say they want their employers to provide more financial assistance in order to pay for rising energy costs
According to a new study by employee benefits technology provider Zest, six out of ten employees between 18 and 34 are worried about the rising cost of energy this year. They are also asking for more help from their employers. Water UK announced recently that the average annual water bill in England and Wales for […]
UK’s highest HR salaries revealed
New data from the ONS shows a persistent wage gap between HR leaders based in the South and North of the UK, with those in London, the Southeast and Southwest of England earning more per hour than many of their counterparts across the rest of the country. Analysis of regional pay figures, by HR and […]
WEC calls for stronger legal protections against age discrimination
WEC (Women and Equalities Committee) warns that ageism is a problem in the UK. This includes the workplace. A new report urges stronger protections from age discrimination, and an integrated strategy across the Government to deal with the challenges posed by an ageing population. The report expresses concern that current laws, such as the Public […]
Sheila Flavell explains why ageism has no place in the workplace today
The issue of age discrimination at work is often overlooked. It manifests itself in biased hiring practices, limiting opportunities for older workers, or the assumption that younger workers would be better suited for a particular role. By ignoring older workers, companies risk losing a wealth experience, different perspectives and technical expertise. The knowledge and skills […]
CIPD releases guide on hiring refugees
The CIPD Trust published guidance to help employers and HR professionals recruit and retain refugees. The guide highlights relevant legislation, and organisations that have supported refugees in finding employment. The guide also looks at the benefits to businesses of hiring refugees. These include addressing skills gaps and shortages in the labour markets, creating diverse teams, […]
Army Inquest Hears of Widespread Sexual Harassment Claims
General Sir Roly Walke, the head of the British Army has condemned officers’ ‘appalling, shameful behavior’ after over 1,000 women told their stories of sexual harassment and abuse. In an inquest held to investigate the death of Royal Artillery gunner Jaysley Louise Beck who was found hanging in her barracks in Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire, […]
MPs call for protections to combat ‘pervasive Ageism’
According to MPs, ‘widespread’ and “culturally embedded” ageism calls for stronger protections from age discrimination. They also call for a strategy that addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by the UK’s ageing population. The Women and Equalities Committee recommends that the UK government evaluate the strategy in Wales which includes a commissioner for the older […]
Fall of Kabul whistleblower wins unfair termination case
Civil servants who complained about the UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan have won an unfair dismissal case against the Foreign Office. Josie Stewart, a former Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office employee, was fired in 2022 after raising concerns about the mishandling of the evacuation from Kabul by the government. Stewart gave a BBC Newsnight anonymous interview […]
As inflation rises, pay awards are being reduced
In January 2025, the official inflation rate increased more than expected. Brightmine’s revised figure for the period ending December 2024 shows that the median annual basic pay increase for the quarter ended January was 3%. This is the second rolling quarter in a row at this level. This is the lowest median wage settlement since […]