Pay settlements are edging closer to inflation levels – but only because inflation is falling – reports pay specialists XpertHR. In the three months to the end of August 2012, the median basic pay increase in the private sector stood at 2.5{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}, unchanged on the figure for the three...

A recent survey from Elance announced results from its annual global survey of more than 3,000 independent professionals, revealing that freelancers are thriving online. Over half (57{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} globally and 60{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} in the UK) reported an increase in 2012 income, claiming a 47{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} average increase in earnings, and two-thirds (67{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e})...

The UK economy contracted by less than thought in the second quarter, official figures have shown.   The economy shrank by 0.4{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} in the April-to-June period, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in its third estimate of gross domestic product (GDP). The ONS had initially estimated a contraction of...

If you’re aware of bullying at your workplace, or are a victim yourself, you’re not alone. Sixty per cent of UK workers, according to a survey by CareerBuilder.co.uk, reveal they have been bullied by their boss and three in ten (30{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) workers claim that they are currently experiencing bullying...

Responding to the Business Secretary Vince Cable’s speech to the Liberal Democrats’ party conference in Brighton this morning the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) Director of Policy and Professional Services Tom Hadley says: “The Business Secretary is right to recognise the role of the UK’s flexible labour market in...

In a vote of confidence for the UK¹s small business sector, 62{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} of people in a nationwide survey said they trust small businesses rather than large firms to help get the economy going. 73{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} say economy would get bigger boost by making bank funds available to small businesses ….and small...

A review of the FTSE 100 company websites revealed that that 94{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} of companies failed to offer a mobile-enabled careers section to help candidates easily navigate and search for jobs. “Companies that fail to offer a mobile-enabled careers section are in danger of losing out on top talent through...

Two-thirds of those working in the built environment sector think the Olympics are unlikely to deliver long-term employment growth, despite the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) announcing its plans to kick-start the regeneration of Stratford and the Olympic Park now that the Games have come to an end. The...

Businesses have found they can reduce absenteeism, improve staff morale and productivity and are better able to attract and retain top talent if they adopt more flexible working arrangements. The report from the REC’s Flexible Work Commission, published today, outlines the competitive advantage gained by businesses that adopt less...

Activity among European firms suffered its steepest contraction since June 2009, according to a recent survey.   The Markit Flash Eurozone Purchasing Managers’ (PMI) Composite Output Index fell to 45.9 in September, the lowest for 39 months, from 46.3 in August. The composite figure combines services and manufacturing activity, and...

Six in ten employers don’t offer any routes into their organisation for non-graduates. That’s according to new research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), launched today at a Department for Work and Pensions Employer Forum hosted by the CBI. The research is the latest output from...

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is joining forces with business apprenticeship issuing authority Skills CFA to develop the first Advanced and Higher Level Apprenticeship in recruitment. As part of the Skills CFA’s Pan Sector Partnership that joins leading professional bodies in business skills including Chartered Institute of Personnel...

Global stock markets rise on US Fed stimulus plan. It followed the Fed’s decision on Thursday to inject $40bn (£25bn) a month into the US economy.   But fears over the global economy persisted as the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank denied they were in bailout talks with...

Former conservative minister Liam Fox said in an interview in today’s Times newspaper that he favoured cutting capital gains tax to boost the UK economy. Fox is quoted as wanting the government to suspend capital gains tax for three years, and thereafter to re-introduce it at a lower rate....

The UK’s Employment Outlook now stands at its strongest level since 2008, according to ManpowerGroup, the world leader in innovative workforce solutions. With an Outlook of +3{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}, employers across the UK are looking to take on staff in the final months of 2012 despite the gloomy macro-economic picture. National...