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25th June 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Telling employee their work is messy 'is not harassment'
An employment tribunal in east London has ruled that pointing out that an employee’s work is messy and mistake-ridden is not harassment. The ruling came in the case of Thomas Shevlin, a senior HR operations manager at publishing firm John Wiley & Sons, who claimed he was left “devastated, hurt and profoundly upset” after he was told by his boss that his work was messy and required improvement.  Shevlin said that any errors were a result of his ADHD and accused Rebecca Roycroft of discrimination and harassment. The tribunal disagreed. Employment judge David Massarella said: “The making of spelling and grammar errors in professional documents is, self-evidently, a weakness . . . We consider that [Shevlin's] response, and that sense of grievance, to be unjustified having regard these anodyne comments. In our judgment, there was no unfavourable treatment. If a manager cannot be explicit about a weakness in performance, there is a risk that an entirely well meant warning will not be taken onboard by the employee.”
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
UK retailers boost ranks of women on boards to almost half
UK retailers have made “huge strides” on boardroom gender equality with the number of women now close to parity, according to a new report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The study, produced with executive search firm The MBS Group, found that the proportion of female board members has risen to 47% from 32% in 2021. “Retailers should celebrate the enormous efforts made to ensure more women have a seat at the executive table”, said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson. “More than half of retail customer bases are women, so having their perspective is essential to success”. Nevertheless, minority ethnic representation on boards stands at just 8%, down from 12% in 2024. Retailers can also do more on the executive front, the report found.
WORKPLACE
Co-op staff voice safety concerns
Co-op employees have raised concerns about their safety due to insufficient staffing levels, particularly following the rollout of Project Lunar, which allows for lone working in quieter stores. Over 80% of Co-op workers surveyed reported feeling unsafe, according to Honor Barber from worker empowerment group Organise. The Co-op claims that over 90% of staff hours are not one-on-one, but many employees feel that more staff presence is essential for safety. Barber commented: "The Co-op reported a 35% jump in underlying profit to £131m in April, with revenue steady at £11.3bn in 2024. Meanwhile, workers are being stretched to breaking point. Co-op are prioritising profit over staff and customer safety."
STRATEGY
River Island to close 33 stores
River Island is set to close 33 of its 230 stores and review 71 more as part of a significant restructuring plan, putting over 1,000 jobs at risk. Chief executive Ben Lewis said that the store estate is "no longer aligned to our customers' needs" due to rising costs and a shift towards online shopping. The retailer reported a pre-tax loss of £33.2m in 2023, a stark contrast to the £2m profit from the previous year. The restructuring plan, managed by PwC, will be voted on by creditors in August, with specific store closures yet to be confirmed. Analysts predict that more retailers may follow suit as they navigate challenges such as low footfall and increasing operational costs.
Amazon's £40bn UK investment boost
Amazon plans to invest £40bn in the UK over the next three years, aiming to enhance production and delivery capabilities while creating 9,500 jobs. The investment will fund the construction of four new robotic fulfilment centres and refurbish film studios in Berkshire. The first three centres are set for the East Midlands, Northampton, and Hull, with a fourth location yet to be announced. John Boumphrey, Amazon's UK country manager, said that the investment will enable faster deliveries and more same-day options for customers. Additionally, £8bn will be allocated to expand Amazon Web Services in the UK.
TECHNOLOGY
Justice system 'needs AI boost'
The Law Society of England and Wales has urged the government to develop a free AI tool akin to NHS 111 to assist individuals in navigating legal issues and restoring faith in the justice system. Research indicates that only 16% of adults feel the justice system treats everyone equally. Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society, said: "The justice system is an essential public service just like the NHS and education." The report suggests that this AI tool could save the justice system approximately £72m over five years by effectively directing individuals to the appropriate legal resources. Additionally, the Law Society has called for reforms to the ombudsman system to reduce confusion and improve access for small and medium enterprises.
Study warns AI chatbots hinder learning
Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests that reliance on AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, may hinder the development of critical thinking, memory, and language skills. The study monitored 54 participants who wrote essays using different methods, finding that those who used ChatGPT exhibited lower brain activity and performed worse in tests compared to those who relied solely on their cognitive abilities. "Reliance on AI systems can lead to a passive approach and diminished activation of critical thinking skills," the study observed, also noting that 83% of chatbot users failed to recall correct quotes from their essays, indicating a lack of engagement with the material.
POLICY
More and more people are missing from official census data
In a paper published in Science, researchers from the University of Southampton and Columbia University say a hidden global crisis of population undercounting threatens to undermine policies from school building to disease outbreak response. "Lack of census data compromises all areas of public administration, but we don't see these statistics in the same way as other vital infrastructure, like bridges or roads," says Dr. Jessica Espey, lead author of the paper from the University of Southampton. "When groups are not counted, they can be left off the policy agenda. That political underrepresentation and the inadequate resource allocation that follows can have pernicious effects."
CYBERSECURITY
Cyberattacks top list of global business concerns
The threat of cyberattacks represents the most serious challenge for businesses in the coming year, according to a report published by advisory firm Kroll. Seventy-four percent of organisations report increased cybersecurity and data privacy concerns, with the most common threats including malware (44%) and AI-powered exploits (28%). “When it comes to addressing the patchwork of global data privacy laws and the impact on their businesses, just 12% of respondents globally ranked their organisations as ‘extremely prepared,’” Kroll said in its report. The average business gave itself a 7.4 score out of 10. Globally, one in three respondents ranked geopolitical tensions among their top business challenges for the year ahead, with companies in the United States, UK and Europe most likely to see it as a major concern. Tariffs, technology controls and cybercrime, supply chain disruption, regulatory shifts, and sanctions were cited as the highest areas of geopolitical concern. US companies indexed higher than global peers on concerns regarding inflation and domestic political tensions, while evolving data privacy regulations worry European companies more than other regions.
INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong's gig workers demand better protections
In Hong Kong, gig economy workers, particularly those in food delivery, are advocating for improved labour protections amid rising concerns over their rights. John Lam, a food delivery rider, explained: “While consistent food delivery work can lead to a very good income, the major downside is that it leaves couriers like me without essential basic labour protections.” With around 64,000 online delivery couriers and 50,000 app-based ride-hailing drivers in the city, the lack of specific legislation leaves these workers classified as self-employed, denying them benefits like paid annual leave and sick leave. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han announced plans to enhance platform workers' rights and benefits following recent strikes by Keeta workers demanding better pay and protections.
OTHER
Eavis transfers Glastonbury shares to daughter
Sir Michael Eavis, the 89-year-old owner of the Glastonbury festival, has transferred most of his financial interests to his daughter, Emily, and a family trust, potentially saving nearly £80m in inheritance tax. The operational company, Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd, saw pre-tax profits double to nearly £6m last year, with revenues reaching £68m. Eavis's actions follow recent announcements by Chancellor Rachel Reeves regarding inheritance tax changes affecting family businesses.
 


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