Human Times

European Edition

13th January 2026

THE HOT STORY

UK financial sector vacancies were up 12% in 2025

Vacancies in Britain's financial sector rose by 12% in 2025 on the back of demand for workers in AI, regulation, data reporting and other specialist skills, according to recruiting firm Morgan McKinley. The robust hiring should continue into the first quarter of this year, Morgan McKinley director Mark Astbury said. Computing says the news of increased job vacancies driven by artificial intelligence is 'a welcome deviation from the persistent “AI spells doom for jobs” narrative.'

Computing

Reuters

REPORT

Have Better Employee Conversations

Employee relations hinge on more than policies and processes. They depend on honest, human conversations.

This practical playbook shares 11 carefully crafted questions designed to help HR leaders move beyond rehearsed answers and surface what really matters to people at work. Whether you’re handling a performance discussion, supporting a new hire, or navigating a sensitive issue, the questions help reduce tension and encourage genuine dialogue.

Built for real-world HR interactions, the guide focuses on understanding motivation, concerns, and individual context, without turning conversations into interrogations. The result is stronger relationships, clearer communication, and more effective outcomes for both employees and the organisation.

Ideal for HR professionals looking to bring empathy, clarity, and confidence into everyday employee relations.

Download the playbook

WORKFORCE

Luxembourg's childcare reforms promise big savings

Luxembourg Education Minister Claude Meisch has announced significant childcare reforms aimed at reducing costs for parents by an average of €3,000 per year by 2030. The state will invest €300m to enhance childcare quality and expand access, ensuring a place for every child. Families earning up to three-and-a-half times the minimum wage will benefit from increased free childcare hours. Meisch noted: "The reforms will reduce parental contributions from €116m to €37m annually." Staffing ratios will improve, and childminders' pay will increase to attract qualified professionals.

Luxembourg Times

Job losses in European car parts sector top 100,000 in two years

European car parts suppliers have announced more than 100,000 job losses in the past two years as they suffer from low demand for vehicles and fierce competition from Chinese rivals.

Financial Times

STRATEGY

Vestas to cut about 70 jobs

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will reduce workforce numbers at its Ringkøbing factory, impacting about 70 of its 330 employees. The company said it aims to explore options for reassigning affected workers to minimise layoffs. Vestas said: "It is always difficult to say goodbye to valued colleagues. But we need to ensure our organisation reflects our global activities."

Copenhagen Post

WORKPLACE

Office space shortage hits London

London faces a severe shortage of high-quality office buildings, with experts predicting that no prime space will be available by 2028. Following a post-pandemic shift, demand for secondary offices turned positive in 2025, but the best locations remain scarce. Patrick Scanlon, senior director of market analytics at CoStar, said: "Location will continue to outweigh building quality for many companies." Rising construction costs and geopolitical uncertainties have exacerbated the situation, leading to a 59% increase in prime rents in the West End over six years, according to Knight Frank.

The Times

CORPORATE

Heineken chief van den Brink to step down

Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink is to step down after nearly six years in charge of the Dutch brewing group. “The past years have been marked by significant change as Heineken progressed through its transformation and has now reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the Company in further executing its long-term ambitions. Over the coming months, I remain fully focused on disciplined execution of our strategy and to ensure a smooth transition”, Mr Van den Brink said.

REGULATION

UBS rejects proposed Swiss bank rules

UBS has rejected a Swiss government proposal to strengthen its rules following the collapse of Credit Suisse. "The proposal would lead to huge added costs and endanger the continuation of the successful business model," UBS said. UBS - Switzerland's sole global bank after the acquisition of its troubled rival - argued proposed measures for foreign units were disproportionate and out of step with international competitors. The Financial Times reports this morning that UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti plans to step down in April 2027, "firing the starting gun on the race for one of the biggest jobs in global banking."

Financial Times

Reuters

RISK

Crypto crime surges as Russia evades sanctions

Russia's use of cryptocurrency for sanctions evasion has surged dramatically, with a 694% increase in global transactions by rogue states reaching approximately $100bn last year, according to Chainalysis. Sanctions evasion has become by far the largest category of overall crypto crime, which has soared by 162% with a record $154bn in transactions to illicit addresses. Andrew Fierman from Chainalysis observed that the actual figures could be higher as more transactions are uncovered. He said: "We have seen nation state activity on the blockchain since its inception. But the scale of it is what has shifted really recently."

The Daily Telegraph

The Block

INTERNATIONAL

Colorado cracked open the culture of secrecy around salaries

Bloomberg reports on how Colorado sparked an international trend for salary transparency when it started forcing employers to include pay ranges in job postings in 2021. Since then, about a dozen other US states have adopted similar requirements, and the European Union will follow suit later this year. Colorado’s law mandates employers to specify pay ranges, and also related benefits such as healthcare, in all job postings. The rule also prohibits employers from asking job candidates about their pay history or using it to determine wages. Such practices have been identified as perpetuating the pay discrimination often faced by women.

Bloomberg

Samsung issues English translation of collective bargaining agreement

The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) has translated its collective bargaining agreement into English for the first time, making it accessible to foreign employees. Previously available only in Korean, the agreement outlines essential employment terms and protections. Acting chair Woo Ha-kyung said: "Publishing the collective bargaining agreement in English lays the groundwork for eliminating blind spots in the working conditions of foreign employees."

The Korea Times

OTHER

Mattel unveils groundbreaking autistic Barbie

Mattel has launched an autistic Barbie, expanding its Fashionistas line to promote diversity. Developed over 18 months with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the doll features design elements reflecting autistic traits, such as slightly shifted eyes and articulated limbs for stimming. The A-line dress and flat shoes cater to sensory sensitivities. Each doll includes a fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a communication tablet. Jamie Cygielman, Mattel's global head of dolls, said: "We're proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work."

CNN

USA Today

US News and World Report

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