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24th March 2025
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THE HOT STORY
More workers face extra hours
The traditional 9 to 5 workday is becoming increasingly uncommon, with many employees now facing extended hours, often without additional pay. Despite a decrease in average weekly hours in the UK from 38.1 in 1992 to 36.5 in 2024, many workers are contracted for 40 hours or more. Research from Canada Life shows that 51% of UK employees regularly exceed their contracted hours, while TUC research from 2024 found that 3.8m people did unpaid overtime, putting in an average of 7.2 unpaid hours a week. Gearalt Fahy, an employment law expert and partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, notes that employers are not legally required to pay for overtime and that in many workplaces it can become the norm that people stay on later or take lunch at their desks. He suggests that "it's really a bargain between the employer and employee," adding that "it comes down to what the employer requires and what the employee is prepared to tolerate." 
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REMOTE WORKING
UK workers in the office two days a week
Workers in the UK are spending two days a week on average in the office, according to a survey of 12,000 employees in 44 countries by property firm JLL. While staff are spending half as many days in the office than they were before the pandemic, the poll shows that UK workers only want to go into the office for an average of 1.5 days per week. Sue Asprey Price, JLL’s European head of work dynamics, said that while recent years have seen a "reasonable equilibrium in the workplace - a balance between employer expectations and employee flexibility," stricter return-to-office policies "means this balance is now being re-examined by many employers." Kuwait has led the way on the post-pandemic return to the office, with staff working in offices for 4.2 days a week. 
LEGAL
Bosses question workers' rights overhaul
The House of Lords is being urged to thoroughly examine the Employment Rights Bill, which has faced significant opposition from business leaders. Firms are concerned that the proposed legislation will impose excessive regulatory burdens and hinder economic growth. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, has described the bill as "damaging" for the jobs market, calling it a "sledgehammer to crack a nut." In a joint letter to the House of Lords, business groups warn that granting workers immediate rights to claim unfair dismissal could lead to an influx of tribunal claims, ultimately jeopardising job creation. The coalition of business organisations is calling for amendments to ensure the legislation is both pro-worker and pro-business, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to avoid "grave unintended consequences."
Broadcasters fined over pay collusion
Four of the UK's biggest sports broadcast and production companies have been fined for illegally colluding on freelance pay rates. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered the BBC, BT, IMG and ITV to pay a combined £4.24m, having found that they shared information about fees for freelance workers. Sky avoided a fine after alerting the competition watchdog to its involvement before the investigation began. Juliette Enser, the CMA’s executive director for competition enforcement, said: "Companies should set rates independently of each other so pay is competitive - not doing so could leave workers out of pocket." BT and IMG were each fined £1.7m, while the BBC must pay £424,000 and ITV received a £340,000 fine.
FCA whistleblower 'fired after exposing serious wrongdoing’
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been accused of firing a whistleblower who flagged "serious wrongdoing" in a team which dealt with Freedom of Information Act requests. Ahmet Latif claims he was fired after revealing issues within the "stretched and under-resourced" unit which "did not appear to have been effectively managed since 2017." Latif, who worked at the City watchdog between December 2019 and February 2023, told an employment tribunal he "repeatedly" raised concerns with his line manager. The FCA said Latif was dismissed after sending sensitive information outside of the organisation, noting that concerns had been raised about his performance. The FCA also denied that Latif "suffered any detriment, as alleged or at all, because he made a protected disclosure."
Harrods proposes payouts to al Fayed victims
Lawyers for Harrods are proposing six-figure payouts to settle sexual abuse claims against the department store's former owner, Mohamed Fayed. MPL Legal, which is coordinating a redress scheme on behalf of the retailer, has told potential claimants that those who agree to an assessment by a scheme consultant psychiatrist would be eligible for general damages of up to £200,000, while those who choose a "non-medical pathway" would be eligible for up to £110,000. The proposed terms are understood to be preliminary and subject to ongoing consultation. Lawyers acting for Fayed's victims last year said they had received more than 420 enquiries about potential claims.
Uber offers drivers free childcare
Uber drivers will be eligible for 20 hours of free childcare under a scheme intended to boost its number of female workers. The firm said a trial involving 1,000 drivers saw 96% say free childcare made it easier to take on work. Uber UK general manager Andrew Brem said: "We really, really would like to attract more female drivers onto the Uber platform." However, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain called the plan a "cynical PR stunt," arguing that if Uber really wanted to support families, the firm "would pay drivers enough money so that they could afford time off to be with their children."
WORKFORCE
Chancellor confirms civil service cuts
Rachel Reeves says government running costs will be cut by 15% by the end of the decade, and that savings will come from a reduction in back office and administrative roles rather than front-line services. The Chancellor told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that the size of the civil service had increased "massively" during the pandemic. Office for National Statistics data shows that, as of December 2024, an estimated 547,735 people were employed by the civil service. Reeves told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that staff numbers could be reduced by about 10,000. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden will write to Whitehall departments, setting out plans designed to deliver savings of more than £2bn a year. Union bosses Dave Penman, head of the FDA, and Mike Clancy, who leads Prospect, have both criticised the move and warned of the impact cuts will have on public services.
Railways overhaul puts jobs at risk
The government's overhaul of the railway system may see a number of job losses. A source has indicated that "multiple thousands" of redundancies are anticipated, particularly in back-office roles, as Great British Railways takes control of all train operating companies. The government aims to nationalise train operators as their contracts expire, with the expectation of bringing all operators into public ownership by late 2027. Bodies likely to be abolished include Transport Focus and the Rail Ombudsman, which will become part of a new Passenger Standards Authority.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
£600m scheme will boost construction workforce
The government will invest £600m to train bricklayers, electricians, engineers and carpenters in a drive to fill 35,000 job vacancies in the construction industry and help achieve a goal of building 1.5m new homes. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the plans are designed to "get Britain building again," adding that Labour has already "overhauled the planning system that is holding this country back," and is now "gripping the lack of skilled construction workers." Under the plans, around £100m will go to 10 new technical excellence colleges, while £165m will help other colleges deliver more construction courses. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "Skills are crucial to this government's mission to grow the economy," but warned that a "large-scale skills shortages" in the construction sector is a "major barrier to the delivery of the growth mission."
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
JPMorgan changes diversity schemes
JPMorgan Chase is revamping its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programmes, renaming them Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion. Chief operating officer Jenn Piepszak said: "The 'e' always meant equal opportunity to us, not equal outcomes," adding that the bank believes the change "more accurately reflects our ongoing approach to reach the most customers and clients to grow our business, create an inclusive workplace for our employees and increase access to opportunities." JPMorgan plans to integrate some DEI initiatives into different lines of business, including human resources and corporate responsibility. The bank also plans to reduce training on these topics.
Ocado delays diversity targets to 2030
Ocado has delayed its target for 10% of senior management roles to be held by ethnic minorities from 2027 to 2030. The shift comes amid a broader rollback of diversity initiatives in corporate Britain. But Ocado insisted it remained committed to  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with a spokesman saying: "We strongly believe that diversity is a key driver of innovation and these targets are important for us to maintain our position as one of the UK's most innovative technology businesses."
TAX
The madness of the £100,000 childcare tax trap
The FT looks at how, as “fiscal drag” takes more taxpayers over the £100,000 cliff edge, parents are finding that a small pay rise can leave them substantially worse off.
 


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