Micro business owners in the recruitment industry are working an average of 47 hours a week, according to new research revealed today. That’s nearly 47{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} longer than the average Brit’s working week. The research, commissioned by Penelope, a call handling solution for small businesses, found that entrepreneurs in the...

The first national Job Confidence Index, which reveals the state of the nation’s work and employment prospects based on a study by ICM of over 4000 people in England shows an overall job confidence score of 51.8 out of 100. The Index, which is based on seven pillars ranging...

Although there has been much talk about the decline in real pay levels that resulted from the post 2007 economic decline, workers across the eurozone have actually fared better relative to their company’s fortunes following the downturn rather than during the period leading up to it. The sustaining of...

Two recent unfair dismissal cases demonstrate the danger of not following correct procedure when dismissing employees. Neither business had proper policies in place, neither followed a code of practice when dismissing staff and both paid the price! Theresa Mimnagh, Associate Director at Lawspeed said: “Coincidentally both of these cases...

The recent GDP figures – which have shown rises of 0.3{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} and just last week 0.6{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} – have fuelled the beginnings of a real recovery in the professional jobs market.  The latest data from The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) reveals an upturn in both permanent and temporary...

New CIPD research suggests that there could be about one million zero hours workers in the UK – but just 14{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} report that their employer often fails to provide them with sufficient hours each week. The figures released today are early findings from CIPD research designed to investigate the...

From October 1st 2013 the Gangmasters Licensing Authority will move away from mandatory inspections for all new license applicants, to a risk-based system, with the GLA using their discretion to decide whether a physical site inspection is required on a case by case basis. A full GLA briefing note...

Overseas students cite career opportunities as the main deciding factor when considering postgraduate opportunities outside their home country, reports Graduate Prospects. In the Postgraduate Study in the UK and Overseas1 survey by Graduate Prospects, a fifth of overseas students reported that they are considering the UK for postgraduate study...

New legislation that came into effect Monday, July 29 is expected to lead to a fall in the number of employment tribunals against Scottish businesses, according to Kim Pattullo, head of the employment team in Scotland at law firm HBJ Gateley. From Monday, employees wishing to take claims to...

Security clearance has always been a prickly issue for recruiters in the technology sector. The incessant demand for pre-cleared contractors to fill positions in government departments has prevented recruiters from accessing a wide pool of possible candidates. Conversely, this has created additional constraints for micro-businesses wishing to successfully compete...

More of London’s businesses plan to expand during the next year but fewer are planning to do so in the capital, according to the latest CBI/KPMG London Business Survey, published one year on from the London Games. Businesses want Mayor to tackle high operating costs and housing shortages Eurozone...

The majority of employers (56 percent) continue to report that they will hire more permanent employees in the next quarter, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s (REC) latest JobsOutlook survey. The survey also reveals an increase in the percentage of bosses who foresee headcounts will “stay the same”,...

Apprenticeships in the UK are set to rise by over 50{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} to 800,000 in the next five years, reveals leading talent acquisition and management company Alexander Mann Solutions. Becoming an apprentice is proving an increasingly popular choice as employers realise the benefits of recruiting apprentices and seek a broader...

Work experience is vital for students wanting graduate careers in industrial companies according to ‘The Year in Industry’, the leading working gap year programme for students contemplating a leadership career in UK Industry. The charity EDT which runs ‘The Year in Industry’ is currently recruiting for placements from September...

Last week, Vince Cable announced a series of measures that aim to support the UK’s Professional & Business Services (PBS) sector.  Recruitment is identified as an important part of the sector, with “employment activities” accounting for 14{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} of total output in the PBS sector. The PBS strategy promises to...