New research highlights persistent inequalities shaping future workforce opportunities
Where someone grows up, alongside their ethnicity and gender, continues to have a significant impact on their educational achievement and future career prospects, according to new research from the Sutton Trust. The report, which builds on the charity’s Opportunity Index, suggests that while some disadvantaged groups outperform academically, these gains are not always reflected in […]
One in three parents leave jobs over lack of flexible working, TUC warns
A lack of flexible working opportunities is forcing many parents out of the workforce and limiting access to new roles, according to new research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC). The findings, published following the Government’s consultation on flexible working reforms under the Employment Rights Act, reveal that a third (33%) of parents with children […]
Most organisations aren’t ready for the next decade of disruption. Here’s what the data says.
When Saville Assessment surveyed hundreds of HR decision-makers at large and enterprise organisations across the UK and US, one number stood out: 80% of senior HR leaders do not believe their organisation is fully prepared for the future world of work. The next decade will demand leaders who can navigate AI-driven change, hybrid workforces, shifting […]
Businesses still prioritising accidents over long-term employee health
Many UK organisations remain more focused on preventing workplace accidents than tackling long-term health risks, despite increasing regulatory pressure from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), according to new research from WorkNest. The findings suggest a disconnect between health and safety strategy and the evolving nature of workplace risk, particularly as long-term conditions such as […]
Untaken annual leave costing UK workers thousands as burnout concerns grow
More than one in four UK employees are ending the year with the equivalent of over three working weeks of unused holiday entitlement, raising fresh concerns for HR leaders around burnout, workplace culture and employee wellbeing. New findings from Britain’s Work-Life Balance Report, compiled by leave management platform Timetastic using data from more than 180,000 […]
Research says young adult skills have improved ‘significantly’, but gaps remain
Young adults (aged 16-24) have made significant improvements in literacy and numeracy since 2012, reversing a position that once placed them among the lowest performers internationally. However, despite this improvement, approximately one in five working-age adults still lacks proficiency in basic literacy, numeracy or both, and the majority of these adults are aged over 45. […]
Majority of UK employees who experience workplace bullying choose not to report it, research finds
New research suggests a significant proportion of UK employees are reluctant to speak up about workplace bullying and harassment, raising concerns for HR leaders ahead of strengthened legal obligations later this year. The Culture Shift survey of more than 1,000 UK employees across all levels and organisation sizes found that 28% had experienced bullying or […]
TUC warns gender pay gap leaves women effectively working ’47 days for free’
New analysis from the TUC has found that women in the UK effectively work the first 47 days of the year unpaid compared to men, due to the persistent gender pay gap. According to the union body, the current gender pay gap stands at 12.8%, equating to an average shortfall of £2,548 per year for […]
Three in ten UK employees are ‘highly stressed’ in the workplace
Nearly a third (29%) of UK employees are facing high levels of stress at work while nearly four in ten (37%) do not believe that company leaders are taking staff wellbeing seriously, with both findings being well above international levels. That’s according to a global study by Culture Amp, which also reveals that women experience many […]
What 60,000 HR leaders are really reading — Insights from The Human Times (Q3 2025)
New analysis from The Human Times, the curated HR newsletter read by over 60,000 senior HR leaders and executives, reveals the topics that mattered most in Q3 and where attention is shifting in 2025. Workforce stories dominated The most-read stories focused on retention, culture and productivity. Despite post-pandemic normalisation, “quiet quitting” and disengagement continue to shape organisational strategy. […]