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Human Times helps you stay ahead of the latest news and trends that impact the HR industry. Every weekday, our unique blend of AI and team of expert HR and employment editors and researchers monitor 100,000s of articles, and social posts to create summaries of the most relevant and useful content to help you lead, innovate and grow. The award winning Human Times newsletter has four geographical editions with news tailored to your region.
From HR leadership to diversity and inclusion, hybrid working, organisational data, performance management, and retention strategies, Human Times is the only trusted free online news source dedicated to covering the most up to date headlines, articles, reports and interviews to make sure you’re abreast of changes in the HR industry.
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Recent Editions
Human Times
North America
Dario Amodei, the chief executive of AI start-up Anthropic, says the technology could eliminate up to 50% of all entry level white-collar jobs within the next five years. He said the producers of such technology "have a duty and an obligation to be honest about what’s coming," adding: "I don’t think this is on people’s radar." Heather Dishy, a partner at venture capital firm SignalFire, has suggested that AI is "doing what interns and new grads used to do," adding: "Now, one experienced worker equipped with AI tools can do the work of multiple junior staff, without the overhead."
Full Issue
Human Times
UK
Writing in the Telegraph, Louis Goss opines that where a role at a leading accounting firm was once among the most prestigious jobs in the City, there has been a shift as the Big Four firms seek to become "sprawling sellers of consultancy services." He cites a former consultant who suggests roles at the leading firms are now about "making money from bulls--t by pretending to be an expert in front of large corporate clients." Professor Atul Shah of City University, London, says an increased focus on consulting has transformed the "culture and mindset" at the Big Four, and notes that such work represents at least a third of these firms' revenue. Shah says that this "has made them highly commercial firms, with strong revenue generation incentives for partners." The Telegraph says that “Insiders at the accountancy firms may agree that their ranks are filled with nonsense roles. But, for now at least, the big four are likely to keep the 'bulls--t jobs' boom going for as long as possible.”
Full Issue
Human Times
Europe
Ford is facing a crisis as over 10,000 workers at its Cologne plant in Germany went on strike for the first time in its 100-year history. The strike was prompted by plans to cut 2,900 jobs. Industry experts, including Ferdinand Dudenhöffer from the Bochum Center for Automotive Research, warn that Ford's position in Europe is precarious as the company struggles to adapt to the shift towards electric vehicles. David Lüdtke from the IG Metall labour union says he remains committed to fighting for job security and fair compensation for employees.
Full Issue
Human Times
Middle East
Gratitude in leadership is often undervalued, yet it plays a crucial role in enhancing employee engagement and productivity, writes Amal Kooheji. A 2023 Gallup report found that 79% of employees who left their jobs cited a lack of appreciation as a significant factor. In contrast, organisations that cultivate a culture of recognition see a 23% increase in employee engagement and a 20% rise in productivity. Kooheji emphasises that “employees who feel valued are more likely to go the extra mile.” However, traditional leadership structures in the Arab workplace often discourage expressions of gratitude due to fears of favouritism. To combat disengagement, leaders should integrate gratitude into daily interactions, making it a natural part of the workplace culture. By recognising specific contributions, leaders can foster a sense of belonging and motivation among employees, ultimately driving performance and engagement.
Full Issue
Read the latest HR highlights
How HR is Tackling Long Covid?
Fingers remain tightly crossed around the world that the rampant hospitalization and fatality stage of the Covid-19 pandemic has generally peaked. Vaccination programmes are accelerating, and restrictions are gradually being lifted...
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ESG Is Not Just Another Name For CSR
Back in the distant 1980s if you wanted to demonstrate your environmental and ethical credentials it was sufficient to shop at or purchase shares in retailer The Body Shop. The charismatic Anita Roddick, founder of the “hippy” tinged retail chain, heralded a new age of environmental concern, caring capitalism and corporate awareness that evolved into what became known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR was much talked about and lauded, but in reality often ended up being a lot of a hot air (excuse the pun) and often never progressed much beyond a footnote in the annual report.
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Have Older Workers Paid The Highest COVID-19 Price?
Across the world the pandemic is slowly but surely moving into its next phase. Recovery beckons. As furlough schemes across the U.S. and U.K. are being wound down, restrictions eased or lifted, and workforces moving back up the gears, early signs indicate that older employees are more likely to be casualties of the pandemic aftermath than their younger colleagues. Here at the we have witnessed an increasing number of stories supporting the growing belief that older workers are disproportionately paying the highest Covid-19 price.
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Bosses. What's not to like? Plenty, say employees
“You’ll never have another boss like me, someone who’s basically a chilled-out entertainer”
So said, David Brent, the fictional manager of Slough-based paper merchant Wernham Hogg in the seminal TV comedy The Office. Ricky Gervais’s portrayal of Brent as a flawed, narcissistic, incompetent, and deluded manager was so well observed that many (including me) believed it was a genuine fly-on-the-wall documentary when they alighted accidentally on the first ever episode.
Rolling with the Payroll
To mark National Payroll Week the team at the Human Times has provided some insight into the industry that we hope you’ll find useful.
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