THE HOT STORY

More UK employees are committing fraud against their employers

Cifas, a not-for-profit organisation working to reduce and prevent fraud and financial crime, has reported a significant rise in identity fraud in the UK, with over 118,000 suspected cases recorded from January to June 2025. The Fraudscape report highlights the role of AI in creating synthetic identities that evade security checks. Many individuals are selling their identities for financial gain, risking debts incurred by criminals using their credentials. The report also notes an increase in employee fraud against employers as more organisations report that employees are concealing background information to secure roles. Cifas said secret “polygamous working” – whereby people hold multiple jobs or roles without their employer's knowledge or consent – as well as using fraudulent reference houses to cover gaps in employment – are also a persistent threat to employers.

Daily Mail

The Independent UK

TECHNOLOGY

AI sparks mixed feelings among Polish workers

The “People at Work 2025” report reveals global employees have mixed feelings about AI's impact on jobs, Warsaw Business Journal reports. In Poland, 30% of those who believe their jobs are replaceable are looking for new employment. Only 9% of Polish workers expect AI to assist them, while 7% fear job loss. Among younger workers, optimism is low, with just 11% feeling positive about AI. Anna Barbachowska, HR Director at ADP Polska, said: "AI evokes strong emotional responses. Addressing these emotions is key to unlocking AI's true workplace potential." Globally, 24% of white-collar workers feel optimistic about AI.

Warsaw Business Journal

WORKFORCE

Ryanair workers to strike for 22 days

Ryanair handling workers in Madrid will strike for 22 days to protest overtime abuse. The first strike, organised by Azul, a Ryanair subsidiary, will occur during the long weekend of August 15-17, with additional strikes on various weekends until the end of December. Trade unions UGT and CGT claim the strikes are necessary because of sanctions against workers who refuse non-mandatory hours, which can lead to penalties of up to 36 days without pay. They also accuse Ryanair of obstructing union activities and wage discrimination against part-time employees.

The Portugal News Online

HIRING

UK hiring slump signals economic slowdown

Hiring in the UK fell by 6.7% in June, marking the steepest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to LinkedIn. The drop follows a 3.9% increase in May and reflects a cautious approach from employers amid rising national insurance contributions and a higher minimum wage. Unemployment rose to 4.7% in the three months to May, the highest in four years. Economist Tamara Basic Vasiljev said the decline indicates a shift as the post-pandemic hiring surge wanes. Inflation also increased to 3.6% in June, complicating the economic landscape.

The Times

HEALTH & WELLBEING

With late night calls, even bedtime isn’t boss-free

The FT's Emma Jacobs thinks a deteriorating labour market means more business leaders are ditching an empathetic management style and ignoring boundaries between employees’ home and work lives.

Financial Times

LEGAL

Less than a third of UK voters would back Brexit now

A survey for the Sunday Times indicates a significant decline in support for Brexit, with only 29% of UK voters backing withdrawal from the EU if a referendum were held today. This marks a stark contrast to the 52% support in June 2016. The More in Common research also found that nearly half of respondents believe there should be another referendum on whether to rejoin the bloc. Additionally, 58% of respondents now favour remaining in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), an increase from June.

The Daily Telegraph

SUSTAINABILITY

EU climate targets at risk as forests absorb less CO2

European forests are increasingly unable to absorb carbon dioxide due to damage from logging, wildfires, drought, and pests, jeopardizing the EU's emissions targets. A recent study from the EU's Joint Research Centre revealed that the average annual CO2 absorption by forests from 2020 to 2022 was nearly 33% lower than from 2010 to 2014, with only 332m net tonnes absorbed per year. As EU governments negotiate a new legally-binding climate target for 2040, the challenges posed by uncontrollable factors including forest fires and droughts are becoming increasingly apparent, the study said.

U.S. News

INTERNATIONAL

CBA faces backlash over job cuts

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has announced the elimination of 90 jobs across various frontline departments, drawing criticism from the Australian Finance Sector Union (FSU). The FSU claims the bank is “replacing skilled Australian workers with AI systems as well as cheaper offshore labour.” While the bank argues that AI will enhance customer service, FSU National Secretary Julia Angrisano condemned the decision, saying: “There is a human cost to this. You can't just replace frontline jobs with a voice bot and expect the same service for customers.” The FSU advocates for retraining and support for affected workers rather than cost-cutting measures. Despite the cuts, a CBA spokesman noted that the bank hired over 9,000 employees in the 2025 financial year and is investing more than $2bn in operations to meet evolving customer needs.

West Australian

Blackstone reopens New York HQ after deadly attack

Blackstone has reopened its New York headquarters following a week-long closure due to a mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a senior executive. The firm has assured employees that they can choose to work remotely if they feel uncomfortable returning, while also enhancing security measures in collaboration with local authorities.

Reuters

P&G Korea seeks to empower Gen Z job seekers

P&G Korea is actively supporting young job seekers from Generation Z, who often face challenges entering the job market due to a lack of experience. The company has initiated internship programmes aimed at enhancing their skills in a global context. Recently, 15 interns visited P&G's Singapore office, participating in mentoring sessions, career workshops, and tours of research facilities. Oh Seo-young from P&G Korea's Human Resource Division said: “We are focusing on providing potentially talented interns with an opportunity to develop their professional skills through our internship programmes.” The company is currently accepting applicants for its internship programme, which runs until August, and promotes internal advancement through its “Build from Within” initiative, encouraging interns to aspire to higher positions within the organisation.

The Korea Times

Thai labour Ministry confirms no abuse of Cambodian workers

Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Thailand's Minister of Labour, confirmed on Tuesday that there have been no reports of abuse against Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand. He acknowledged the circulation of alarming images and videos on social media and assured that the ministry is taking the matter seriously. “We confirm that no cases of physical abuse against Cambodian workers have been found in Thailand,” he said. The ministry has instructed various departments to investigate thoroughly and has deployed officers to ensure compliance with labour laws. Furthermore, the ministry is working with employers to foster understanding and prevent tensions between Thai and Cambodian workers.

The Nation

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