The latest Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs indicated a further strong rise in permanent placements at the beginning of 2013, albeit at its slowest rate in three months, with Scottish recruitment agencies generally citing improved economic conditions. Demand for staff also rose in January, particularly for temps, and...

Employment will continue to grow in the first quarter of 2013, according to the latest Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)/SuccessFactors Labour Market Outlook report. Its key indicator is the net employment balance, which measures the difference between the proportion of employers that intend to increase total staffing...

As an increasing number of employers are turning to mediation to resolve workplace issues*, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Acas have come together to produce updated information for those considering using it within their organisations. Mediation: An approach to resolving workplace issues, is being launched...

Under new regulations the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) plan to recover millions from businesses who are breaking health and safety laws. Liverpool workplace health organisation, Health@Work, warns businesses to get on top of their health and safety issues or face huge bills. James Dunningham, Operations Director for Health@Work...

Government funding to help businesses take on an apprentice has led to the creation of at least 18,900 new Apprenticeships in England in the past year.  That’s according to provisional data released today by the National Apprenticeship Service. At least 18,900 new Apprenticeships created in just nine months Two-thirds...

A survey was carried out across SJD’s 12,000+ contractor client base in December 2012. The survey provides a unique insight into the contractor market over the last six months and also some interesting comparisons to the previous survey between January and June 2012. The results of the latest survey,...

Workers in the UK are earning no more than they were 10 years ago, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).   After adjusting for inflation, it said pay levels peaked in 2009.   Between then and 2012 the ONS said pay had fallen by 3{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} in real terms.   On...

The rate of UK consumer price inflation remained unchanged at 2.7{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} for the fourth consecutive month in January, official data has shown.    A big rise in the prices of alcohol and tobacco was the biggest factor driving prices up, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. At the same...

UK businesses are concerned about a skills shortage that is challenging growth, according to new research from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR)*. Around four in ten (38{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) UK companies are struggling to recruit the right people, with nearly three quarters (72{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) citing a lack of technical skills...

A new report suggests that there was a 5.2{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} increase in hiring levels across the UK in the fourth quarter of 2012 when compared to quarter four 2011. Opportunities within commerce and industry have fallen by 34{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} in London but nationwide vacancies within the private sector have jumped by...

“Despite the Government’s rhetoric on growth, we’ve learned today that the economy essentially did not grow at all during 2012. This is not really surprising. Having cut capital spending, the Government has instead placed its faith in the supposed confidence effect of deficit reduction to boost growth, using any...

New research on what students think about how their universities prepare them for working life was published today (Thursday 17 January) by GTI Media Research.   Great Expectations is based on a survey of more than 2,300 undergraduates conducted at the end of 2012 by GTI Media Research.   97{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} of...

A new survey from social job search engine reveals that more than half of UK jobseekers are now using social networks as part of the job hunting process. With 2.5 million out of work and youth unemployment at a record high, Britons are turning to social networks such as...

Youth unemployment will again exceed a million in 2013 according to predictions by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The independent think tank’s analysis published in December predicts that up to 86,000 additional young people under 25 are likely to swell the ranks of those already unemployed during the...

The much valued benefit of flexible working is now being used to attract employees, with over two thirds (64{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) of employers saying it helps staff engagement and motivation, while 23{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} said it helped to keep staff who would otherwise leave, according to a recent survey from Hays, the leading...