5 Important HR News Stories in the UK You May Have Missed

We've rounded up what you might have missed whilst relaxing on the beach or sipping a margarita... Here are our top five UK HR news stories.

1. HR vacancies increase by 13% (People Management)

For those interested in moving to another company, the number of available human resources jobs increased 13.5% in 2022, an analysis from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies job board shows. Internal recruiters were the most in demand, accounting for more than a third (35%) of open positions. This was followed by HR generalists and training and learning experts (both 14%).

2. Employees quit quietly" (The Guardian)

One might think that the increase in HR job vacancies is entirely due to the unfortunate prevalence of HR burnout. However, burnout has also led to what some employees call "quiet quitting." As one viral TikTok video puts it: "You're not exactly quitting your job, but you're quitting the idea of doing more than you actually want to do." This reflects a wider trend: only 9% of UK employees are engaged at work.

3. The first results of the 4-day work week are in (CNN)

At the end of July it was eight weeks since 70 companies in the UK launched the "world's largest trial of a four-day week". So, how did it go? Despite initial difficulties, some employees have described the week as "life-changing" and are using the extra day to look after family, pursue hobbies, do chores and overall feel better.

4. 'Digital nomad' visas launched in over 25 countries (BBC)

As the brick-and-mortar idea becomes less relevant post-COVID, more than 25 countries have introduced visa programs aimed at remote workers. While these will of course benefit the local economies of countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Chile, they could exacerbate the talent shortage in the UK (particularly post-Brexit). Hiring teams in the UK, be warned.

5. Holiday pay rules have been clarified (HR Magazine)

If you have part-time employees in your company, this is an important issue for you. In Harper Trust v Brazel it was decided that calculating holiday entitlement using the percentage model (taking the average number of hours per week over time and multiplying it by 12.07%) was not legally correct. Instead, the employer must use the calendar model (multiply the average weekly wage by 5.6).

Navigating the dynamic landscape of UK HR news is crucial, and IceHrm stands as your compass. Stay informed, adapt to industry shifts, and elevate your HR strategies with the insights provided by IceHrm, ensuring your workforce remains at the forefront of evolving trends.