Human Times

European Edition

16th September 2025

THE HOT STORY

A third of UK firms use ‘bossware' to monitor activity

Research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) indicates that a third of UK employers use "bossware" to monitor employee activities, including emails and web browsing. The survey suggests a rise in workplace surveillance, with one in seven employers recording screen activity. While some managers believe monitoring prevents insider threats, many express concerns about trust and privacy. The CMI study found that more than half (53%) of managers support monitoring of employees' online activities on employer-owned devices, while 42% oppose it. Petra Wilton, the CMI's director of policy and external affairs, said: "If it is being used, it is incredibly important employers are open." The Information Commissioner's Office has warned that excessive monitoring can infringe on privacy rights, especially for remote workers.

The Guardian

HR TECHNOLOGY

Unlock HR’s Competitive Edge

HR leaders know the stakes are high. Siloed systems create errors, slow processes, and drain productivity. Yet 93% of employers now agree that integrating HR and benefits data is critical to future success. According to Unum’s Employer Pulse Survey, HR technology and benefits data integration top the priority list in 2025.

This report shows how integration transforms HR from an administrative function into a strategic driver of performance. It reveals why technology sits at the heart of HR priorities, how broad benefit challenges are shaping satisfaction, and why combining automation with human connection creates lasting impact.

Organisations that embed benefits data integration into their HR technology stack gain faster processes, cleaner data, and sharper insights - delivering measurable competitive advantage.

Download the report to stay ahead.

LEGAL

Dutch employers oppose new migrant salary rules

Employers in the Netherlands are aligning against the government's plan to tighten regulations for knowledge migrants. Local technology companies in particular fear being unable to afford recruiting staff from overseas in the event of an increase in the minimum salary. Theo Henrar of FME, the business organisation for companies in the tech sector, said wage costs in the Netherlands are already high, and the proposed measure may make it unaffordable to recruit highly skilled workers from abroad.

NL Times

STRATEGY

Tesla ups production plans at German plant

Tesla plans to increase production at its Gruenheide plant in Germany for the remainder of the year, driven by strong sales figures, according to factory manager André Thierig. Despite facing challenges in the competitive German market, including a significant drop in sales earlier this year, Thierig noted that the company is observing positive trends across all the markets it supplies.

Reuters

WORKFORCE

KLM scraps more flights ahead of ground staff strike

KLM has cancelled numerous flights on Wednesday due to a planned strike by ground staff at Schiphol Airport. The industrial action, organised by unions CNV and FNV, will last four hours, and follows a two-hour strike last week that resulted in over 100 flight cancellations. Ground staff are responsible for essential tasks such as baggage handling and passenger assistance, making their work critical to flight operations. Unions previously attempted to extend strikes, but KLM successfully obtained court rulings to block these actions.

NL Times

DutchNews.nl

TECHNOLOGY

AI can become a new ‘favourite co-worker’ to HR

The HR and payroll sector is looking to keep pace with advanced technologies, most notably, artificial intelligence. Organisations in the business of human capital management (HCM) are increasingly embracing the power of AI with sophisticated platforms tailored to the unique demands of HR and payroll. One such organisation is UKG, a provider of HR, payroll and workforce management solutions for organisations worldwide. UKG has developed and is offering its clients a conversational AI tool called UKG Bryte AI. “The power of AI is not in replacing people – it’s in augmenting them,” says Julie Develin, senior partner, human insights, at UKG. “It’s about creating the time and space for HR and payroll professionals to focus on building better workplaces.”

The Globe and Mail

TAX

Tax cuts era officially over, warns OECD

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has declared the end of the tax cuts era. Rising debts and increased spending on climate change, ageing populations, and defence have prompted the shift. The OECD's report on tax reforms highlights that jurisdictions across all income levels are now seeking to increase revenues. "High levels of debt, coupled with spending needs . . . has meant that jurisdictions . . . have adopted strategies to mobilise more revenues," the OECD said.

The Daily Telegraph

ECONOMY

Fitch downgrades France's credit rating

Fitch Ratings has downgraded France's credit rating from "AA-" to "A+", marking the lowest level on record. The decision reflects concerns over the country's rising debt, projected to reach 121% of GDP by 2027. The downgrade complicates the new prime minister Sebastien Lecornu's efforts to manage the budget amid political instability. Fitch noted that the government's recent defeat in a confidence vote highlights the fragmentation of domestic politics, hindering fiscal consolidation efforts.

The Guardian

REGULATION

Swiss money laundering regulations could be watered down

Swiss lawmakers are attempting to dilute proposed anti-money laundering regulations, citing the need to maintain competitiveness against rival financial centres including Singapore and the UAE. With forecasts suggesting that Hong Kong may surpass Switzerland as the leading destination for cross-border wealth management, lawmakers argue that stringent regulations could hinder the country's economic standing. Barbara Steinemann, a member of the Swiss People's Party, emphasised that "this is about a war between financial centres and economic interests."

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Korean worker recounts details of human rights violations during US detention

A South Korean worker has shared harrowing details of their detention in a US immigration raid. The worker, who remained anonymous, described being laughed at by US officials during interrogation. The worker was arrested alongside more than 300 others at a site operated by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. The worker recorded their experience, noting a lack of information about rights and poor conditions in detention. "I was angry that they seemed to be making fun of me, but kept my temper because I was worried about what could happen to my documents," the worker wrote in a log. After a week, the workers were finally returned to South Korea on a chartered flight.

Korea Joongang Daily

The Korea Times

Intel suddenly goes cold on DEI

Writing for OregonLive, Mike Rogoway observes that in its Corporate Responsibility Report last year, Intel included a 16-page section on making the company “Inclusive” and declared the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion were the company’s “core values,” being essential for innovation and strong business growth. This year, however, Rogoway says Intel "has almost nothing to say about DEI." Referencing the recent US government purchase of an interest in the tech giant, Portland State University finance Professor Qin Lian predicts: “With (a) 10% federal stake, Intel will likely follow the federal directives . . . Under the Trump administration, Intel will downplay DEI and focus on cost control and operational discipline.”

OregonLive.com

Mexico car tariffs to increase for Asian exporters

Mexico plans to increase tariffs on automobiles from China and other Asian countries to 50%, a move aimed at protecting local jobs and responding to US pressure regarding economic ties with China. The Economy Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said that the tariffs, which will affect $52bn in imports, are necessary to ensure competitiveness in the local market, as Chinese cars are entering at prices below local reference levels. The overhaul of import levies will also impact various sectors, including textiles and steel, and is expected to safeguard approximately 325,000 industrial jobs in Mexico.

Reuters

OTHER

Spanish airport owner accuses Ryanair of ‘lies’ over flight cuts

Spain’s airport operator, Aena, has accused Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary of “lying continuously” and using it as a scapegoat to dodge incurring passengers’ wrath for the airline’s flight cancellations.

Financial Times

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