All we want for Christmas is a pay raise — or an office cat December 18, 2019 At this time of year, many of us will have fond memories of writing festive wish lists in the fervent hope that we’d been good enough to receive a visit from the big man in red. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and while we still have wishes for the festive season, a few of these [...]
DEBATE: Is the office Christmas party actually worth it? December 18, 2019 Is the office Christmas party actually worth it? Emma Long, commercial director of BizSpace, says YES. Primarily, the office Christmas party is a chance for employers to say thank you to staff, and for employees to reflect on and celebrate the successes of the year. They enable colleagues from different teams and at all levels [...]
Bank of England governor vacancy gets 650 applications on Linkedin December 17, 2019 The role of the governor of the Bank of England has piqued the interest of Linkedin users as one of the most viewed jobs in 2019. Current incumbent Mark Carney is leaving the role on 31 January, with big names like Financial Conduct Authority boss Andrew Bailey and City grandee Helena Morrissey in the running [...]
Dear Santa… please no more office politics? December 17, 2019 Christmas can be difficult for some, personally as well as professionally, but there is a lot that an organisation can do to ease pressure and show staff that it values their hard work. So how can you sweep away those cobwebs, “deck the halls”, and help mitigate the potential for office politics this festive season? [...]
Supermarkets should embrace the calls for higher plastic charges December 16, 2019 The battle against plastic rages on. Back in 2015 when the 5p charge was introduced, it seemed like a relatively big deal, but as the Greenpeace report made abundantly clear, it was just the start of a long fight. The report’s findings are stark — customers in Britain’s main supermarkets bought 1.5 billion bags for [...]
Restaurants can serve up lessons on why we should hire ex-offenders December 16, 2019 The hospitality sector is serving up more than Christmas parties this month. In the face of intense staffing challenges, employers in the industry can also serve up a lesson in how to effectively hire alternative talent. Restaurants, bars, and hotels are in the midst of the biggest skills shortage in decades — almost 80 per [...]
Two women who quit their city jobs to set up floral design studio Grandirosa December 16, 2019 Inside the hustle and bustle of The Ned, I eventually find Lil Caldwell and Mary Wood tucked away in the comparatively quiet Library Bar. The co-founders of floral design studio Grandirosa are sat on cosy sofas, and Wood, who is currently on maternity leave, has her sleepy three-month-old baby in her arms. Judging by the [...]
Election 2019: Record number of female MPs will enter Parliament December 13, 2019 As always on the morning after the election night before, the nation will today be split into two camps. Exultant Boris Johnson supporters will be rubbing their hands together as they look forward to “getting Brexit done,” while Labour voters will be crying into their cornflakes. But whatever tribe you belong to, the news that [...]
DEBATE: Should more businesses consider offering ‘hangover days’? December 13, 2019 Should more businesses consider offering ‘hangover days’? Claire Crompton, director of The Audit Lab, says YES. Hangover days are essentially sexed-up working from home days. We offer them to allow employees the flexibility to be accountable for their own productivity and targets. We are decisively anti-micro management, and trust the people who work for us. [...]
This is the moment to remake the case for global liberalism December 13, 2019 Penning a comment piece for the day of an election is a difficult task. You have to speculate, tread the political waters carefully, and perhaps dare to make a prediction before people head to the polls. But writing something to be published the day after an election is even more daunting. The world of politics [...]