Human Times

European Edition

5th June 2026

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THE HOT STORY

Amazon to create 25,000 jobs across Europe

Amazon has announced plans to invest more than €10bn to expand and modernise its European warehouse and delivery network, including upgrades to fulfilment centres, greater capacity and new robotics and automation systems. The company said the investment would support 25,000 additional fulfilment jobs across Europe in the coming years and follows more than €60bn of European investment in 2025. Amazon also unveiled a $1bn worker training fund by 2030, covering areas including cybersecurity, software development, logistics, renewable energy and mechatronics. The announcement comes as Europe seeks to strengthen its position in AI, robotics and technology, amid concerns that fast-growing start-ups often relocate to the US.

Euro News

TECH & TOOLS

67% of HR leaders are already using AI. Is your team one of them?

AI has crossed the tipping point in HR — and the data proves it. A new global survey of over 1,000 HR and people operations leaders reveals that two-thirds of teams have already reached intermediate or advanced AI adoption. The benefits are real: 56% say AI has cut onboarding time, 50% report lower operating costs, and high-growth organisations are twice as likely to call AI adoption a top priority. The teams that aren't moving fast risk being left behind.

Download the free report to see exactly where HR leaders are investing in AI — and how you can do the same.

Download the free report

LEGAL

Germany's anti-discrimination reforms fall short

The federal commissioner for anti-discrimination, Ferda Ataman, has criticised the German government's reform plans as inadequate. She stated that the reforms lack necessary resources and funding to effectively combat discrimination. In 2025, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency received over 13,000 requests for counselling, highlighting a significant rise in reported discrimination cases. Ataman emphasised the need for better legal protections and longer timeframes for victims to file complaints. She noted that Germany invests less in anti-discrimination efforts compared to other European countries, calling for comprehensive changes to the current framework.

Deutsche Welle (EN)

Tech bosses face prison time over child safety

The UK Government plans to impose criminal sanctions on technology companies like Google and Apple if they fail to prevent children from accessing nude images on their devices. Ministers aim to enforce changes that would block all nudity, including pornography and explicit film scenes. Sources told the Times that penalties could mirror those in the Online Safety Act, with potential prison sentences of up to five years.

The Times

Lex Greensill banned from UK directorships for 9 years

Lex Greensill has been banned from acting as a company director in the UK for nine years. The financier behind the collapsed lending firm Greensill Capital agreed to the disqualification from the Insolvency Service on Thursday, five years after his company collapsed with liabilities of more than £1.6bn. Greensill’s conduct was found to have breached a legal duty under UK corporate law to "exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence as a company director".

Financial Times

The Guardian

The Times

WORKFORCE

AI workplace boom leaves workers overwhelmed

Research from Henley Business School reveals that the rapid rise of AI in the UK has left many employees feeling overwhelmed. The annual survey of 2,900 workers found that 60% were unaware of AI guidelines from their employers. Concerns include over-reliance on AI, loss of critical thinking skills, and difficulty identifying errors. Professor Keiichi Nakata noted a disconnect between AI ambition and action, stating: "People are experiencing 'change fatigue' and a lack of clarity in how to use AI effectively and responsibly." Despite fears, 58% of respondents remain optimistic about AI in the workplace.

The Times

Tech layoffs surge as AI takes over

The technology sector has seen over 123,000 job cuts in 2026, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The report highlights that artificial intelligence (AI) is now the leading cause of these layoffs, surpassing other factors like market conditions. Notably, tech companies are also announcing new hiring plans, indicating a complex relationship with AI. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang criticized firms blaming AI for layoffs, calling it "lazy." Challenger noted that 49,135 layoffs this year have been attributed to AI, reflecting a significant shift in the industry.

Forbes

AI engineering: The future of tech jobs

AI engineering is emerging as a critical role in the tech industry, requiring a blend of skills from computer science, data science, and engineering. Faisal Fareed, Principal Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services, emphasised the need for professionals who can create secure and reliable AI systems. The World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs Report 2025" predicts that AI and big data skills will be essential by 2030. However, a skills gap exists, as current educational programs often lack comprehensive AI engineering curricula. Employers must collaborate with academia to define the AI engineer role and develop relevant training.

Forbes

REMOTE WORKING

Bank of England faces backlash over remote work

The Bank of England is under scrutiny for allowing staff to work abroad for up to 40 days annually, amidst rising inflation pressures. Approximately 6,000 employees can also work from home three days a week. Critics, including Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake, argue that staff should focus on their responsibilities rather than working from "sun loungers." The Bank's policy aims to support flexible working, but concerns about data security and the effectiveness of its inflation management persist. A Bank spokesman stated that the policy includes necessary conditions and time limits.

The Daily Telegraph

Remote work's toll on mental health

Research indicates that remote work has negatively affected employees' mental health, particularly among those living alone. A survey of over 500,000 Americans revealed increased isolation and worsened psychological wellbeing since the Covid pandemic. Natalia Emanuel, a research economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, analysed data from five surveys, comparing experiences from 2011-2019 to 2022-2024. She suggested that organisations should prioritise reducing isolation in remote work, such as coordinating in-office days or encouraging informal online interactions. Professor Rourke O'Brien from Yale University noted the measurable costs of this shift in work location.

Daily Mirror

PRODUCTIVITY

AI investment surges among HR pros

Half of HR professionals in Romania are investing in AI to enhance workplace efficiency, aligning closely with the European average of 51%. This trend reflects a growing recognition of AI's potential to support various HR functions.

Romaniapress

REMUNERATION

Barclays boosts pay for 20,000 staff

Barclays will increase salaries by 5.35% for 20,000 UK employees following a successful agreement with the trade union Unite. The pay rise applies to staff below the vice-president level, including those in head offices and branches, but excludes investment banking personnel. Unite, representing around 35,000 workers at Barclays, said it marked a leading pay deal for the finance sector. Barclays said the pay rise showed its "continued focus on supporting our fair pay agenda."

Daily Mail

The Times

Pay transparency sparks tensions in romania

Pay transparency is already impacting Romanian companies, with 47% reporting tensions or employee departures linked to pay disparities. Simona Lăpușan, CEO of Mirro, noted that many firms are unprepared for the upcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive, which takes effect in 2026. Currently, 73% of companies struggle to explain pay differences, and 50% lack clear salary structures. Informal discussions about pay inequity are common, leading to internal conflicts and wage increase requests. The study highlights the urgent need for clear criteria in salary management to avoid future compliance issues.

Business Review

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Revolut's tech chief steps down

Vlad Yatsenko, co-founder of Revolut, will step down as chief technology officer and transition to a non-executive director role. Donato Lucia, vice-president of technology, will succeed him.

The Times

INTERNATIONAL

China's bold plan to boost jobs

China has introduced an 18-point action plan aimed at stabilising employment and increasing incomes. The plan, approved by the State Council, focuses on shielding the labour market from external shocks like trade wars. It includes measures to support affected industries, extend unemployment insurance, and promote job creation in sectors such as manufacturing and technology. The plan also addresses the needs of new college graduates, aiming to create over 12m urban jobs by 2026. Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping emphasised the importance of integrating AI into job creation and improving workers' livelihoods.

Chinadaily US Edition

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