THE HOT STORY

UK unions call for workers’ rights commitment

Unions are urging the UK government not to water down the Employment Rights Bill amid a reshuffle that has seen ministers who spearheaded calls for enhanced workers’ rights leave their positions. Unions have voiced concern after Angela Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Justin Madders was removed as Employment Rights Minister. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that removing ministers who have worked with unions on the Bill "signals a move in the wrong direction." Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said that while the Conservatives and Lib Dems "are desperately trying to water this Bill down," Labour must stand firm and deliver legislation that will "level the playing field." TUC analysis shows that 4m people in the UK are in insecure work, including those on zero-hours contracts, agency workers and low-paid self-employed workers who miss out on key rights and protections.

BBC News

Financial Times

The Independent

TALENT STRATEGY

10 Engagement Lessons From a NYT Bestseller

What if your management playbook is already out of date? The latest guidance comes straight from the New York Times Bestseller Building A Magnetic Culture. Backed by surveys of more than 3 million employees and four decades of leadership insights, it identifies the real drivers of engagement in 2025

A Key Driver Analysis revealed which factors matter most, and in what order. From recognition and communication to trust and accountability, the research highlights ten practical management actions that create stronger cultures and higher-performing teams.

These are not passing trends or leadership clichés. They are evidence-based practices proven to keep employees motivated, loyal, and productive. For HR leaders shaping the future of work, this is essential reading.

Download the bestseller-based blog now

CORPORATE

HR is not for wimps

The Financial Times' Pilita Clark says that as HR's remit relentlessly expands, "the profession is reaching a point where it is unusually prone to attack from employees and employers alike."

Financial Times

HEALTH & WELLBEING

UK urged to go Dutch on the working week

The 4 Day Week Foundation, a campaign group calling for a shorter working week, says the UK should follow the example of the Netherlands, where more staff work fewer hours but productivity remains high. While more than half of Dutch women and nearly one in five men work fewer than 30 hours, data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows that staff in the Netherlands are more efficient in absolute productivity terms than workers in Germany, France and Britain. Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, argues that the UK is "long overdue an update" when it comes to the shape of the working week.

Daily Star

WORKFORCE

Taxi drivers in Greece strike

The Union of Taxi Drivers of Attica (SATA) has declared a 48-hour strike from 6 a.m. on September 9 to 6 a.m. on September 11. During this period, taxis will only transport passengers to and from hospitals, with standby taxis marked for identification. “This fight is a fight for survival for professional taxi drivers. We ask for the understanding and support of the public, as we demand conditions that ensure the smooth and fair operation of our service. Thank you for your understanding,” SATA said.

GreekCitytimes

Cleaners march against Dutch asylum proposals

Several hundred cleaners and domestic workers protested yesterday in The Hague against asylum proposals from the outgoing Dutch cabinet. Organised by the union FNV Schoonmaak, the demonstration highlighted concerns that stricter rules would expose migrant workers to exploitation. Protesters carried banners with messages including "Make Empathy Great Again." One speaker, a former employee at Saints & Stars gym, described severe mistreatment, saying: "We were traded; we were threatened if we complained." The gym has faced allegations of exploitation, leading to management suspension and a legal counterclaim.

NL Times

London Underground workers strike begins

London Underground workers have begun a week of rolling strikes. Minimal services are expected from Monday to Thursday. The RMT union cites pay, fatigue management, and shift patterns as key issues. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "Fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on our members' health and wellbeing." Transport for London has offered a 3.4% pay rise but the union seeks a reduction in the working week.

U.S. News

HIRING

Job seekers surge in UK as hiring stalls

The number of jobseekers in the UK is rising at its fastest rate since November 2020, according to a report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG. The surge comes as firms face economic challenges, including weak economic growth, rising unemployment and higher inflation. Jon Holt, chief executive and senior partner at KPMG in the UK, said: "It's unlikely we'll see a significant shift in recruitment patterns in the near term as businesses evaluate their investment strategies in response to policy commitments and the rapid pace of change brought by AI and new technologies." Neil Carberry, chief executive of the REC, commented: "All eyes are now on the Autumn Budget, in hope that the Chancellor won't do any further damage to the labour market with costs on hiring." He added: "For the economy to thrive, the Budget must recognise the need for investment in people."

Daily Mail

LEGAL

Judge: Online shopping at work is not a sackable offence

An employment tribunal in the UK has ruled that an accountancy administrator, named in the judgement as Ms A. Lanuszka, was unfairly dismissed for using her work computer for online shopping. The judge, Michael Magree, found her personal use was "not excessive" and noted that much of the time cited was spent on work-related tasks. Ms Lanuszka had been fired by her employer, Accountancy MK Services, after being monitored by spy software. The tribunal concluded there were no reasonable grounds for the worker's dismissal, and awarded her over £14,000 (€16,100) in compensation.

BBC News

Daily Mail

LEADERSHIP

France is set to vote out another PM

France's parliament, which has been deadlocked for a year and more divided than it has been in decades, looks set to throw out yet another prime minister today. The drama surrounding the latest vote of confidence inside Paris's Assemblée Nationale is counterbalanced by a despondent consensus that the almost inevitable removal of 74-year-old François Bayrou, after nine relatively ineffectual months in office, will do nothing to break France's political stalemate, the BBC reports. "It's a disaster. The situation is absolutely blocked," veteran political commentator Bruno Cautrès observed.

BBC News

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea secures release of detained workers

South Korea has finalised an agreement with the U.S. for the release of South Korean workers detained during an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced that negotiations are complete, pending some administrative steps. A charter plane will be dispatched to bring the workers home once these steps are finalised. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that over 300 South Koreans were among the 475 individuals detained in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, which targeted a manufacturing site for electric vehicle batteries.

U.S. News

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 X.

Online

Advertise

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

Click here to unsubscribe