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UK Edition
26th April 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
UK employers scale back on flexible jobs
UK employers are reducing the number of flexible job opportunities, which could hinder the reintegration of inactive individuals into the workforce and undermine the recent increase in women's working hours, according to data from Reed Recruitment. The decline in flexible job postings, including those offering part-time and remote work, poses challenges for the government's efforts to ease labour market tightness. Employers are becoming stricter about when and where people work, with a decline in work-from-home jobs and a rise in hybrid positions. Experts argue that part-time and flexible-hour jobs are crucial for attracting people back to work. However, employers are now less likely to offer flexibility compared to during lockdowns.
REMOTE WORKING
Top HMRC official denies remote working affects service levels
Almost half of Britain's tax collectors are failing to meet the government department's requirement for staff to work from the office three days a week, according to Jim Harra, permanent secretary at HM Revenue & Customs.  Harra told members of Parliament on the Treasury Committee that remote working had no impact on service levels. “There is no difference between the number of calls taken whether a helpline adviser is at home or in the office. We see the same productivity,” Harra said. Remote working at HMRC has been under scrutiny amid complaints about customer service. HMRC handles tens of millions of calls and letters a year, with average peak call waiting times for self-assessment tax returns reaching 38 minutes.
LEGAL
Male museum worker loses sexism claim after judge finds he treated men and women differently
A male museum worker in Northern Ireland has lost his sexism claim after a judge found that he treated men and women differently in the workplace. Jonathan McMurray claimed he suffered sex discrimination, saying he was subjected to "an abusive rant about gender" during which he was accused of "doing the ****ing bloke thing" in front of visitors at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, County Down, in 2019. However, the judge concluded that McMurray had "irritated" his female co-workers with his behaviour towards them and that the "rant" had not happened as described. The judge noted that McMurray's behaviour at work had been different when talking to men compared to women. The tribunal also dismissed McMurray's claim that his employers should have spotted his autistic spectrum disorder. In his ruling, the judge said: "If anyone had difficulties dealing with the opposite gender, it appears to have been the claimant."
LEADERSHIP
Amitrano to succeed Ellis at PwC
PwC has announced that Marco Amitrano has been elected to succeed Kevin Ellis as head of its operations in the UK. Mr Amitrano, who is currently managing partner and head of clients and markets at PwC UK, will become senior partner for PwC UK and Middle East from July 1, for a period of four years. He landed the role having fought off competition from Laura Hinton, PwC’s UK head of tax, and Hemione Hudson, who runs the UK audit business. Mr Amitrano, who said his priorities will include focusing on technology, clients and PwC’s global network, said he was “incredibly proud” that two women had made the shortlist to succeed Mr Ellis, going on to insist that diversity and inclusion “will remain my number one priority.” Mr Ellis described his successor as a “fantastic leader, with a deep understanding of our business, our markets and the challenges our clients face,” adding: “The partners have made the right choice in the leader for PwC’s next chapter.” 
WORKFORCE
Tata Steel rejects union plan to save jobs
Tata Steel has rejected union plans to avert thousands of job losses at Britain's biggest steel plant. Tata earlier this year announced a consultation on cutting up to 2,800 jobs in the UK amid its plans to close down blast furnaces at the site in Port Talbot. GMB, Unite and Community union representatives have met with Tata to discuss its plans, urging the firm to agree an alternative proposal that would raise productivity and protect jobs. However. Tata Steel CEO and managing director TV Narendran said the unions' proposal was not "financially or operationally viable." A GMB spokesperson described the decision as an "unwelcome but not expected slap in the face." Members of Community and the GMB are being balloted on whether to walk out over the plans, while Unite members have already voted in favour of industrial action.
PENSIONS
Government urged to lift auto-enrolment pension contributions to 12%
Insurers and pension funds are calling for an increase in the minimum contribution to pension auto-enrolment to 12%. A new report from Phoenix and WPI Economics suggests that increasing the minimum contribution could lead to an extra £96,000 at state pension age for today's average 18-year-old. Delaying the increase would reduce the total additional pot by nearly £10,000 or £22,000 with a 5-year or 10-year delay, respectively. The report says that the government must at least introduce a gradual framework to increase contributions. Andy Curran, chief executive of Standard Life, said: "Millions of UK adults are not saving enough for their future retirement income, so it is crucial we have a plan to support greater pension saving throughout people's working life. Increasing minimum auto-enrolment contributions is fundamental to addressing this challenge."
HEALTH & SAFETY
Judges return to robes in family court safety scheme
Judges are to wear robes for hearings at the main family court in London as part of an attempt to make the family court less intimidating to litigants. In a pilot scheme, from this month to July, judges at the central family court will wear black robes, but not wigs, to "explore the impact of increased formality," as officials scramble to curb attacks on the bench. It comes after Sir Andrew McFarlane, the country's most senior family law judge, told MPs on the justice committee on Tuesday that incidents of violence were increasingly common and causing "apprehension" among judges. He said that the senior judiciary was considering "whether we should carry on sitting in the way we do." In response to the "relatively high" number of incidents including knives being confiscated at the door of the London court, "judges felt they wanted to do something to see if it would change the perception of those attending court," he said.
WORKPLACE
London remains the world’s most desirable city for work
London has been named the world’s most desirable city for work for a tenth consecutive year. While London came out on top, Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New York, Berlin, Singapore, Barcelona, Tokyo and Sydney all made the top ten. Alongside the English capital, several other UK cities made the top 100, with Edinburgh 53rd, Birmingham 58th, Belfast 79th and Glasgow 83rd.  The survey also saw the UK land fourth spot on a ranking of the most popular countries. Australia took the top spot, followed by the US and Canada. The poll saw 17% of global professionals identify the UK as one of their top three destinations if they were to relocate. The Decoding Global Talent survey, which was conducted by Boston Consulting Group, The Network and The Stepstone Group, polled more than 150,000 workers from 188 countries.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
DfE's Early Years Bootcamp courses are underway
A 21-year-old woman from Liverpool has become the first person in England to complete an Early Years Bootcamp course and secure a job in a nursery. Rachel Wallace, who has autism and ADHD, completed the bootcamp course in March and has now secured a job as a Level 3 early years apprentice at Kidsworld Nursery in Liverpool. The bootcamp courses, which last up to 16 weeks, are designed to attract people into the early years sector and boost recruitment. Wallace praised the bootcamp course, stating that it covered everything needed to be ready to work in an early years setting. The Skills Bootcamp courses are fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and are open to anyone over the age of 19 not currently employed in the early years sector. Individuals who complete the course are guaranteed an interview for a job with a local nursery and will be eligible to begin a Level 3 apprenticeship upon employment.
CYBERSECURITY
Cisco says hackers have breached government networks globally
Cisco Systems has said that hackers have subverted some of its digital security devices to break in to government networks globally. The company's Adaptive Security Appliances, which combine various digital defense functions, were found to have vulnerabilities that were exploited by a group of hackers known as "UAT4356." Cisco described the group as a "sophisticated state-sponsored actor" and urged customers to update their software immediately. The breaches date back to earlier this year. Cisco also warned that the hackers were interested in attacking network devices from Microsoft and other vendors. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has not confirmed evidence of this activity affecting US government networks.
TAX
Australians' personal income tax burden surges
Australians' personal income tax burden, already among the highest in the world, grew faster than any other advanced economy last year. According to a report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), a single, average wage-earning Australian without children saw their personal income taxes climb 7.6% in 2023 compared to 2022. Taxpayers in Luxembourg, which recorded the second-largest increase, saw a 5% increase. On the proportion of gross wages devoted to income taxes, Denmark led the way at 36%, followed by Iceland (27.3%) and Belgium (26%). The OECD average came in at 15.4%.
INTERNATIONAL
New legislation passed to protect workers employed by digital platforms
The European Parliament has passed new legislation to protect workers employed by digital platforms, such as couriers, drivers, and food delivery providers. The law creates a presumption of employment relationship, shifting the burden of proof to the platform to demonstrate that the worker is not an employee. The legislation aims to improve working conditions and prohibits firing workers based on algorithmic decisions. It also mandates human oversight for crucial decisions and imposes restrictions on processing personal data. Member States have two years to incorporate these rules into national law, which could lead to a broader review of employment contracts for workers under B2B agreements.
Many Australian workers are expected to take sick leave today
The 26th April is expected to see a surge in Australian workers taking sick leave following the Anzac Day public holiday. While many workers are expected to show up for work, a high number are anticipated to call in sick to create a four-day long weekend. Business groups have warned that this phenomenon could cost the economy millions in lost productivity. Jessica Tinsley, workplace relations director at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized that unplanned absences hurt small businesses and are against the law. Under current workplace laws, employers can ask employees to provide evidence, such as a medical certificate, for as little as one day off work. If employees fail to provide evidence, they may not be entitled to sick leave. Experts urge workers to request annual leave if they want a day off.
Baseball star is voted 'dream boss' in Japan for a second year
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been voted as the "dream boss" for new workers in Japan for the second year in a row, according to a survey by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The survey asked participants who they believed would be ideal bosses from the entertainment, sports, and historical spheres. Ohtani emerged as the most popular choice among respondents. The survey also revealed changing attitudes towards job stability, with a higher percentage of respondents expressing a desire to change jobs if given the chance. Over 95% of respondents expressed anxieties about starting their new roles, including concerns about job compatibility, getting along with colleagues, and work-life balance. The survey highlights Ohtani's leadership skills and popularity among young workers in Japan.
OTHER
World's first Sikh court launches in UK
The world’s first Sikh court has been launched in the UK amid claims that secular judges lack expertise to deal with the religion's sensitivities. Launched last weekend at a ceremony at the Old Hall at Lincoln's Inn in London, the court will operate as an alternative dispute resolution forum for British Sikhs caught in family and civil disputes. Although likely to reignite debate over religious courts, including sharia and Beth Din dispute resolution systems, which operate in the UK for Muslims and Jews, Baldip Singh, one of the court's founders, stressed that it was not a religious tribunal. Unlike Islam and Judaism, Sikhism does not have its own legal code. He said that its purpose will be "to assist Sikh families in their time of need when dealing with conflict and disputes in line with Sikh principles." The new court will operate remotely and in person, and will comprise 30 so-called magistrates and 15 judges, of whom most will be women. The magistrates will mediate between parties to negotiate a settlement, as well as directing them to a course to help them to work on specific issues.
 


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