New research suggests that a growing number of younger workers in the UK are turning to second jobs as they struggle to manage everyday living costs. According to a poll from Boostworks, more than half of Gen Z workers and over 70 percent of Millennials are exploring ways to supplement their income, with many already taking on additional work outside their primary employment. The findings, based on a survey of 5,600 working adults, highlight the scale of financial strain facing the workforce, particularly among younger generations. (more…)

A new poll from the IPPR think tank claims that only 47 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds felt ready for work when they left education, compared with 60 per cent of over-26s. Despite more schools claiming that they offer high-quality work experience, two in five 18- to 24-year-olds have never completed any work experience and feel unprepared for work as a result. By contrast, earlier generations – those in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s – are significantly more likely to have done so. The report argues that the number of young people missing out on these opportunities could have implications for social mobility, with 60 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds agreeing that work experience opportunities usually rely on who you know, not what you know. (more…)

A new report from the UK Government’s Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has highlighted a range of issues with the UK’s current parental leave system and urged the government to address them as part of its proposed review. The report, Equality at Work: Paternity and Shared Parental Leave, argues that the existing system requires substantial reform to better reflect the needs of modern families and working parents. It identifies shortcomings such as low statutory pay, limited leave entitlements for fathers and partners, and the complexity of the Shared Parental Leave (SPL) scheme. (more…)

It used to be said that the UK was a nation of lions led by donkeys. Now it would appear that the country has become as stubborn as mules at every level. The new survey from Right Management claims there is a growing culture of resistance to change across the UK workforce, particularly among women, older employees, and public sector professionals. (more…)

Academics from the University of Bath plan to set out what they say are improvements to the system of Shared Parental Leave in the UK, ahead of what is claimed to be the world’s first ‘Dad Strike’ on 11 June in London and Edinburgh. The protest, timed just ahead of Father’s Day, is a call to action for urgent reform of the UK’s paternity leave system. Research by lobby group The Dad Shift and Shaun Davies MP claims that just 3 percent of the UK’s £3.3 billion parental leave investment supports fathers. (more…)

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is organising its fifth annual HR conference, Routes to a Stronger Workforce 2025. Sponsored by Blum UK, the event is taking place on Thursday 10 July 2025 (10:00am – 3:00pm) at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London, and is tailored for HR professionals working in the furniture and furnishing industry. The conference will be chaired by Emma Welch, group HR director at Ocee International, and will feature expert-led sessions on topics such as debt management, mental health, and apprenticeship recruitment. (more…)