A growing number of IT leaders believe the solution to declining productivity and rising digital complexity in the workplace could lie in merging HR and IT departments, according to a new poll. A global study by digital employee experience firm Nexthink, based on a survey of 1,100 IT leaders, found that 93 percent of respondents believe closer integration between the two functions would improve productivity, employee engagement and satisfaction. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) predict a full merger between HR and IT will take place within five years, while a further 31 percent expect significantly closer collaboration. (more…)

The number of UK employers expecting to increase headcount in the next three months has fallen to a record low outside of the pandemic, as they grapple with rising employment costs and growing global uncertainties. This is according to the latest Labour Market Outlook report from the CIPD, which shows that the rate of employers expecting to increase headcount has fallen sharply among large private sector employers, and in retail in particular. In response, the CIPD is urging the government to closely consult with employers and business bodies to limit the potential impact the Employment Rights Bill could have on employer’s hiring plans as businesses face mounting external pressures. (more…)

Nearly half of all companies across the UK are scaling back recruitment plans because of the hike in employers’ National Insurance which comes into effect on April 6th, according to a new poll by Reed. The survey found that 46 per cent of firms said that recruitment decisions would be impacted due to the tax increase, with many reporting that they were already not hiring or postponing recruitment. Reed say the findings demonstrate the negative impact the increase in employer’s NI is having on the labour market, which has already seen vacancies fall for a record period. (more…)

Many UK employers are continuing to struggle to fill vacancies, with new research revealing a sharp disconnect between candidate expectations and employer requirements. A recent poll by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) claims to shed light on why so many applications are being rejected despite a strong demand for workers across key industries. According to the CMI, a significant number of organisations are turning away applicants who they believe lack the necessary ‘attitude’ or ‘work ethic’. The poll, which surveyed over 1,000 managers, found that around four in five employers had rejected candidates on the basis of soft skills, rather than qualifications or experience. This emphasis on attitude over aptitude reflects a broader trend in recruitment, where cultural fit and interpersonal qualities are increasingly valued – and, often, missing from the applicant pool. (more…)