The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
European Edition
13th July 2021
 
THE HOT STORY
France announces compulsory vaccines for healthcare workers
A package of measures have been announced by French president Emmanuel Macron to help France control a fourth wave of Covid cases, including stricter border controls, the extension of the health passport for more everyday activities and making the vaccine compulsory for all healthcare workers. Urging everyone to get vaccinated as quickly as possible, the president laid out the main changes to the existing health policies. From September 15th, the vaccine will become compulsory for healthcare workers and those who work with the elderly and vulnerable. Unvaccinated healthcare workers “will not be able to work and will not be paid” from September 15th, health minister Olivier Véran said. Meanwhile, the pass sanitaire (health passport) will be expanded until it is required for entry to venues including cinemas, restaurants, cafés, bars, nursing homes and for long-distance train and bus travel. Macron said the borders would be ‘reinforced’ with extra checks at the border and compulsory quarantine for unvaccinated people coming from high risk countries.
WORKFORCE
Obligatory COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers in Greece
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be obligatory for public and private hospital workers and that an entry ban will be put into place for unvaccinated people in indoor spaces. Mitsotakis said the measures aimed at preventing any further lockdowns in Greece, especially with the arrival of the Delta variant. The four measures he announced are as follows: All staff at care facilities for the elderly are obliged to be fully vaccinated. Anyone who does not comply will be placed on work suspension as of August 16; All medical and other staff in the public and private health sector are obliged to be vaccinated as of September 1; All Armed Forces personnel, whether permanent or those fulfilling their military duty, will be vaccinated on the premises where they serve; Indoor venues including theatres, sports arenas, and entertainment venues, will only allow entry to vaccinated people. A digital application that will be set up will provide immediate confirmation of their vaccination.
Pandemic hits pension scheme promises
A report from PwC suggests that the latest lockdown has weakened the ability of larger listed companies to be certain of honouring their traditional pension scheme promises. The Pensions Support Index, which measures the financial strength of FTSE 350 companies with traditional pension schemes, is close to the level seen at the start of the pandemic, having seen a recovery last year. The PwC report suggests that weakening profitability, cashflow and balance sheet strength means some employers will find it more difficult to meet their defined benefit pension obligations. On an index where 100 represents a “very good” level of support, the overall rating fell from 90 in December 2019 to 81 in March 2020 before recovering to 87 by June 2020. However, this had declined to 83 by March this year. Stephen Soper, pensions partner at PwC, said: “The significant increase in the number of sponsors which only offer limited levels of support shows that the future for some pension schemes looks increasingly uncertain.” Mr Soper said that he expects to see more evidence of fraud in pensions as employers hit by the pandemic fail to pass on the deductions made from employees’ pay packets. “Without question, there will be an uptick. It’s inevitable,” he warned.
Hague: Office return can boost ambitious Gen Z
Former Conservative leader William Hague considers what the lifting of the Government’s work from home guidance means for workers, saying that in a time when “millions of people are very attached to the idea of not coming to the office very much”, those who do opt to return to the office may benefit, pointing to a scenario where “the omnipresent young worker will be promoted ahead of contemporaries who elected to work mainly from home.” He highlights that the world of work has changed amid the coronavirus crisis, with it found that “many international trips are not necessary, that many jobs can be done more flexibly and that virtual meetings have many uses”, adding that work “will not be the same and nor should it be”. Mr Hague warns mid-career employees that competitive, ambitious Generation Z staff “will not be short of single-mindedness and stamina” and are keen to get back to work.
Lack of workers could result in supermarket shortages
The British Growers Association has warned that there is a real prospect of food shortages in supermarkets because of a lack of labour and crops rotting in fields. The group said a lack of UK-based workers, alongside issues with international labourers being granted British permits, is concerning the farming sector. Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today if there is a "real prospect" of food shortages, Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, said: "Yes, I think there is, because if you cannot get the labour, you might just pick out the class [crops] and leave some of the other produce."

 
I
HIRING
Solar industry in need of more workers
Deutsche Welle looks at how millions of workers stand to benefit from new jobs in the solar industry. In Germany, solar power systems with a total capacity of 5 gigawatts (GW) were installed in 2020, and that capacity is expected to grow. Studies indicate that expansion would have to be increased six-fold — to 30 GW per year — in order to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) this century. Günther Haug, manager at BayWa r.e., says that in order to achieve this, more manpower is needed in the solar industry. The Munich-based company is building large solar and wind farms worldwide, and continues to grow. In 2017, BayWa r.e. had 1,100 employees; today, there are 2,700. "We are looking for engineers, financial experts, skilled personnel for project development and for people with technical training for customer service," said Haug. To find and retain personnel, Haug says the company is "willing to make a considerable financial investment and also train applicants ourselves, because there aren't enough skilled workers." 
HEALTH & SAFETY
Employers advised to install CO2 monitors
Employers have been advised to install carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors to ensure workplaces are sufficiently ventilated to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The new guidance, which includes other measures such as identifying work areas that lack fresh air and opening windows or installing ventilation systems, comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to withdraw official "work from home" advice as COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed later this month. A separate pilot project is also underway to trial the use of CO2 monitors in school classrooms, with the Health and Safety Executive saying that a build-up of CO2 "can indicate that ventilation needs improving".
Companies to pay employees for vaccine time off
Companies including Amazon, Sky and Three UK have encouraged employees to get the coronavirus vaccination by giving them paid time off for the vaccination. Others including Asda have also promised sick pay to employees who have mild side-effects and are unable to work. John Boumphrey, Amazon's UK manager, said: "We have also hosted vaccination clinics at several of our sites across the country." Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "We're extremely grateful to all the businesses who have supported the vaccination programme so far and we're calling on every employer to join us in the final push to get the UK vaccinated."
CORPORATE
Boohoo committed to fixing supply chain issues
The Times talks to Boohoo CEO John Lyttle about how the retailer is tackling allegations of illegal conditions in its Leicester supply chain. A report by Alison Levitt QC, underlined that senior bosses "knew for a fact that there were serious examples of unacceptable working conditions". However, Lyttle says Boohoo's decision to make the report public underlines how much it is committed to fixing the issue. Since the scandal broke, Lyttle says Boohoo has dropped more than 60 from its supply chain for failing to comply. Lyttle adds that the online fashion retailer is building a "model factory" in Leicester to try to prove that it is possible to manufacture in the UK and pay staff a fair wage.
Amazon appoints Tesco executive to run stores worldwide
Amazon has appointed Tesco executive Tony Hoggett to the role of senior vice president of physical stores. He will be based in Seattle, joining in January 2022, and report to Dave Clark, chief executive of Amazon’s worldwide consumer business.
Uber hires Tesco's online chief
Uber has appointed Eve Henrikson, who spent six years as Tesco’s online director, as its general manager for Uber Delivery in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Uber Delivery includes the company's takeaway business, Uber Eats, as well as its new services offering grocery, retail and pharmacy deliveries to customers from third-party stores via its drivers. Currently, Uber works with supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury's and Iceland, as well as convenience stores such as Londis, Co-op, Budgens and Nisa. Henrikson said: "I'm really excited to be joining Uber, a company that has truly been a pioneer in the on-demand delivery space. I've already been overwhelmed by the team's commitment to operational excellence, and the technological expertise that's clearly helped Uber build one of the largest and most diversified delivery platforms in EMEA.”
REMUNERATION
Goldman wrangles over whether to pay junior bankers higher salaries
Executives at Goldman Sachs are struggling with whether to hike up base pay for junior bankers, in line with competitors, or stick with the usual policy of dishing out bonuses for top performers.

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation. The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules. For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe